The trial period for reduced hourly ice rates at arenas across Chatham-Kent could be extended into the 2024-2027 multi-year budget.
Councillors will consider extending cheaper ice rental rates at their council meeting Monday night.
A staff report estimates the municipality will lose almost $268,000 in revenue each year by extending the reduced ice rates.
In 2019, Council approved a two-year trial period to reduce the hourly prime ice rental rate at Chatham-Kent arenas from $204.28 to $173 and the hourly minor and non-prime rate from $163.28 to $152.
The break on ice rates came after a report earlier in 2019 suggested arena usage was down across the municipality.
"The objective of the trial was to improve the financial viability of Chatham-Kent’s arenas through an increase in bookings," wrote Manager of Parks and Recreation Ian Clark in his report. "User groups indicated that reducing ice rates to a level competitive with neighbouring municipalities could attract bookings from these jurisdictions or increase local registration. Minor associations advised that reduced ice rates would enable them to direct savings towards other rising costs (referee fees, travel, etc.), reduce their fundraising targets, or reduce the registration fees paid by their members."
Clark said several seasonal ice user groups have informed administration that their registrations in 2022-23 were still suppressed by the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic and that an extension of the trial is necessary to properly determine its impact.
Some seasonal user groups also said that a return to regular ice rates may further impact their registrations and contribute to a decline in their overall bookings.
Reduced ice rates were also extended in 2021.