Creighton residents can sharpen their skates with confidence: the Sportex ice is set to return this fall.
A year ago, town council planned to permanently remove the Sportex ice due to high cost and low demand.
But after public outcry, council agreed to a one-year trial period to see if usage would pick up in 2014-15.
“We had an improvement in the usage, so as it stands right now we’ll continue the way we have been,” said Mayor Bruce Fidler.
Among the new initiatives planned for the Sportex ice this past season was a learn-to-skate program through Creighton Recreation.
The town recently removed the Sportex ice for the season, but the plan is to bring it back this fall as per usual.
Evolved
The makeup of the Sportex has evolved greatly since the building opened in 1978.
In the early 2000s, the curling rink shut down and later became rental space. In 2013, full-time hours at the concession were cancelled.
Then in March 2014, town council voted to permanently remove the hockey rink surface and refashion the Sportex for year-round use.
The building cost the town roughly $225,000 in 2013, but at the time council hadn’t fully researched what savings would result from shutting off the ice plant.
“The ice is not being used [very much] and it’s just a tremendous cost,” Fidler said at the time. “It’s just not worthwhile anymore, and not feasible.”
Council did an about-face when Sportex users urged the town to give the ice surface another chance.
