Markham axes ice clearing and monitoring of Toogood Pond in Unionville

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 16, 2016
Amanda Persico

The dream of skating on Toogood Pond was short lived.

During this week’s council meeting, the city reversed its decision to hire an ice engineer to monitor Toogood Pond in Unionville.

Instead, council voted to keep the status quo – skate at your own risk.

“It’s a real shame this asset with wither away,” Unionville resident Reid McAlpine said.

Staff recommended residents set up a volunteer outdoor ice rink near the pond parking lot. There is enough space to set up one rink for recreational skating and another for hockey.

There are about a dozen volunteer ice rinks throughout the city and staff expect the program to grow.

There are lots of opportunities for recreational skating, community and fire services commissioner Brenda Librecz said.

At general committee, Markham voted in favour of a cost-sharing program with Toronto to hire ice engineers to monitor ice at Toogood Pond, costing about $100,000 for an eight-week period, with an average of 15 good skating days, which does not include clearing the ice.

Several residents urged staff to come up with other less expensive options.

“There is no point in hiring an engineer if there is no ice maintenance. That’s a waste of money,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti, who was on board with hiring the ice engineers.

Based on the resolution last year, staff looked at ice monitoring options only.

“Staff were not prepared to clear the ice,” said Librecz.

Hiring a contractor to clear the ice at Toogood Pond would add about $23,000 to $30,000 to the cost of monitoring the ice.