Bike pump track gets the go-ahead
Off-road cyclists in Chatham-Kent will get a new multi-use pump track in Chatham.
On Monday night, Chatham-Kent council members voted in favour of setting up the new track on municipally owned lands at 435 Grand Avenue West in Chatham next to the YMCA and the Chatham courthouse.
The cost for the construction of the $140,000 pump track will be mostly covered by the Chatham Off-Road Biking Association (CORBA) and Clarke Construction, which has volunteered to donate more than $50,000 in labour and materials.
A report from the municipality estimates it will cost about $9,000 a year to operate and maintain the track.
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Cheaper ice rentals may continue in CK
Councillors agreed to extend cheaper ice rental rates at Monday night's council meeting.
In 2019, Council approved a two-year trial period to reduce the hourly prime ice rental rate at Chatham-Kent Arena from $204.28 to $173 and the hourly minor and non-prime rate from $163.28 to $152. The new reduced hourly ice rates at arenas will be extended into the 2024-2027 multi-year budget.
Ice seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22 reductions were not used due to the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Several seasonal ice user groups have informed the administration that the uncertainties of the Covid-19 pandemic still suppressed their registrations in 2022-23 and that an extension of the trial is necessary to determine its impact correctly.
Some seasonal user groups have also informed the administration that a return to regular ice rates may further impact their registrations and contribute to a decline in their overall bookings.
The municipality is estimated to lose nearly $268,000 in revenue annually by extending the reduced ice rates.
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Councillor Melissa Harrigan leave of absence extended
West Kent Ward 1 Councillor, Melissa Harrigan, has been authorized to extend her leave of absence from regular, special, committee and board meetings until October 31, 2023.
A report that went to CK Council Monday nights said due to Councillor Harrigan's ongoing medical treatment, she is not yet medically fit to return to active status at this time.
Harrigan announced in December last year that she stepping aside from her municipal duties after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.