Three Rivers denies ice time request with council pointing to need for donations policy

Councillors will be watching the purse strings of Three Rivers with caution when it comes to any donation requests, at least until a more clearly-defined policy is in place. A request for an ice time donation that was brought forward during December’s committee of council meeting led to a larger discussion on the importance of soon creating a policy for funding requests.

The Montague-Mount Hamilton Goodwill Games requested council donate ice time for five games in this year’s tournament, which is being played out of the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre.

However, the $850 price tag associated with the ice time was enough for many members to question the request. Some noted that, earlier in the month, council only provided $450 in support to the larger Norsemen Tournament.

“Not that I have anything against the tournament, I think it’s a fantastic group and it would be a great experience, but we haven’t (donated to them) before and until we have a donation policy in place, I don’t think we should do any more,” said Coun. John MacFarlane.

This is the 51st year of the exchange trip tournament, which takes place in Montague March 9 to 15. Coun. Wayne Spin was the lone member who urged council to approve the request. Spin said supporting the group was a nobrainer, especially considering the tournament had never before received municipal funding.

“You’ve got to realize it’s been (running for) 51 years. Last year, the kids were treated like kings,” said Spin. “It’s unbelievable because there have been lifetime friendships (formed during the tournament).”

Mayor Ed MacAulay, whose own children played in the games, said while it was a great experience, the tournament is a goodwill event and sees the host team billet players and fundraise. He questioned whether Three Rivers needed to pay for the ice time.

“It’s kind of (setting a) precedent and it hasn’t been done in the past,” said MacAulay, adding that not all residents are involved in minor hockey. MacAulay said approving the request would also raise questions of who will come next seeking funding.

“There are a lot of different memorial tournaments and things that we have to be cognizant of, especially when we don’t have a policy,” he said.

Coun. Gerard Holland, whose nephew played in last year’s tournament, agreed.

“I think it’s a great program,” said Holland.

“But this is new stuff, and we’ve got to be careful around this.”

Coun. Alan Munro suggested that because the tournament is not until March, council revisit the request once a policy is in place.