ELORA – The future of the Elora Rocks remains on thin ice after council couldn't agree on whether to forgive the group's longstanding loan or risk it closing its doors permanently.
While Centre Wellington council approved having staff investigate options to restructure the Elora Rocks Hockey Club's debt during a council meeting Monday evening, deferring whether to forgive the group's loan was far from unanimous as some councillors felt the group should be treated like everyone else and left to fend for themselves.
The Rocks currently owes Centre Wellington $25,149 in ice rental fees the club said without forgiveness it might be forced to suspend operations.
"High operational costs along with inherited debt severely restrict our ability to manage the team effectively and limit our capacity to invest fully in the programs and community initiatives that we hold dear," said Rocks president Rich Wigmore, who represented the group at the council meeting.
According to Wigmore, the group considered folding and creating a new group under the same name but decided against it when they learned they would lose access to their grandfathered ice time.
Wigmore said the group has paid off $6,400 of the loan so far and has caught up on all pre-agreed debt payments and ice allocation fees since he took over the group.
"I don't think it's so broken that it can't be fixed but I think that it needs the right people," said Wigmore, who has used his money to support the group.
Opposing the motion, Coun. Bronwynne Wilton said she was confused as to why the Rocks should be treated differently than any other team that can't pay off their debts or afford ice time.
"It's still at the end of the day, one sports team ... (and) I'm not convinced that having this one sports team in Elora is the be-all and end-all," said Wilton, during the meeting.
Managing Director of Community Services Pat Newsom said other groups that can't pay their outstanding ice rental fees aren't allowed ice time the next year.
There is currently more demand for ice time than ice time in Centre Wellington said Newsom.
Among those in support of the deferral were Mayor Shawn Watters who argued preserving the group's legacy was important.
Currently playing in the Western Ontario Super Hockey League, the Elora Rocks Hockey Club has existed for over 100 years and averages 350 fans a home game.
"(Wigmore) took the one team the first year to a championship which is amazing and I think that's something really great for Elora so I'm of the mind that I'd like to help however we can," said Coun. Kim Jefferson, supported by Coun. Lisa MacDonald.
Staff will return to council by its June 10 meeting to outline options for restructuring the debt.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
