Ice to be installed at Halifax-area arena after an agreement on funding with the city
Earlier this week the president of the Lake District Recreation Association (LDRA) said the Sackville Arena in Lower Sackville, N.S., would not have ice for the upcoming season because of a lack of funding from the city. Now, it seems the two sides have found common ground.
“HRM has agreed that they are going to pay Lake District Recreation Association $50,000,” said Allan Smith, LDRA president, in an interview with CTV News on Thursday.
The two sides had a five year contract that expired at the end of March. With no new deal in place and the fall quickly approaching, Smith was worried the arena would soon be silent forcing thousands of users to scramble for ice time elsewhere.
The arena, which Smith says has been in the community for 50 years, is used for lacrosse in the summer and hockey in the winter.
“There’s minor hockey and there’s junior hockey and there’s high school hockey and there’s junior high school hockey, pick up hockey,” said Smith. “They wouldn’t be playing, there’s no ice, there’s no ice anywhere.”
Lower Sackville councillor Paul Russell says he was caught off guard by Smith’s comments. He says the two sides have been working towards an agreement since the previous one expired.
“There was no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this was going to be coming to the LDRA,” says Russell. “We have gradually been working towards a report. I spoke with the president of the LDRA on Sunday about this. It wasn’t going to be ready for Tuesday’s council meeting, he knew that, he also knew that it was going to be coming to council on Aug. 20.”
That money is likely a bridge deal for the 2024-2025 season before a longer term contract can be hammered out.
“This has set the precedent for doing a new deal and we’re going to be doing a new deal shortly and that will probably be a five-year term. The last deal was five years so it’ll likely be another five year term,” said Smith.
With this new deal all but signed, Smith says the ice at the Sackville Community Arena will go in on schedule in September.
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7031475.1725923234!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
2 hospitalized, suspects sought after 'extreme case of road rage' in B.C.: RCMP
Mounties in B.C.'s Lower Mainland are searching for two people allegedly responsible for a road rage incident that sent a couple to hospital with serious injuries, saying the suspects could be in another province.
Why is this village in Quebec facing a 370 per cent property tax hike?
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
Calgary's police chief speaks out against Alberta's anticipated photo radar crackdown
Calgary’s police chief has issued a grave warning about the potential impact of further restrictions on photo radar use in Alberta.
Woman who died in B.C. jail cell had asked to be taken to hospital twice, report shows
A woman who died from drug toxicity while in a B.C. jail cell asked to be taken to hospital twice in the hours after she was taken into custody in a case the province's police watchdog says again raises concerns over the treatment of intoxicated prisoners.
James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Romeo Dallaire now recovered from severe infection: CTV News Exclusive
Romeo Dallaire is ready to return to public life again this fall after a serious health scare forced the retired lieutenant-general to postpone his cross-country book tour in March.
White Stripes sue Donald Trump over use of 'Seven Nation Army' riff in social media post
The White Stripes sued former U.S. president Donald Trump on Monday in a case that alleges he used their hit song 'Seven Nation Army' without permission in a video posted to social media.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
One of two men sentenced Monday to 6 1/2 years for firearms violations and mischief at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., says the time he has already spent behind bars has changed him and his "solemn weapon” is now love.
'You can't miss Luke Skywalker': Mark Hamill spotted filming in Manitoba town
Star Wars icon Mark Hamill rode through the streets of Stonewall, Man. last month filming scenes atop what looked to be an Army vehicle for the upcoming film adaptation of Stephen King's "The Long Walk."