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Town, soccer group set to team up in operating Aurora Sports Dome

'Hybrid' management model used for operations of year-round facility

Yorkregion.com
June 8, 2021
John Cudmore

Daily operation for the Town of Aurora’s year-round sports dome will be a team effort involving the municipality and Aurora Youth Soccer Club.

The municipality said in a statement released June 7 the Aurora Sports Dome will be operated in partnership with the soccer club which historically has been the largest consumer of hours.

The town completed purchase of the 60,000-square-foot facility March 31 for $995,000 from Terry and Trevor Redvers. The father-and-son tandem had operated the facility located on Industrial Parkway north of Wellington Street since its opening in 2005.

According to the town’s statement, AYSC’s existing human resources and administrative infrastructure made it possible to undertake the responsibilities associated with the dome’s day-to-day management.

“This partnership speaks directly to the town’s intent when it purchased the dome -- to create a true community facility,” said Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas in the statement. “This hybrid model allows us to achieve operational and financial efficiencies, while retaining surplus revenue that can be put toward any future capital needs.”

Mrakas said a town review determined that the most cost-effective operating model was a hybrid format in which some aspects of the dome’s operations are managed by a third-party non-profit organization.

“Ultimately, this ensures that we can keep our commitment to the community, that the dome will have no impact on the tax rate,” said Mrakas.

The municipality will maintain management of facility bookings using its existing allocation policy. The town will control all facility rental rates.

“We are very pleased to partner with the town in managing this community asset,” said AYSC president Ron Cohen. “Our club’s goals are directly in line with what the town intends for the dome. We are looking forward to continuing our mission to provide safe, accessible programming to the children, adults, and families in our community.”

Cohen said in 2018, that the soccer club purchased up to 50 hours per week and paid between $350,000 and $375,000 in user fees annually for use of the facility.

Strong wins in the spring of 2018 collapsed the structure. It has been closed since March 2020 and the onset of the global pandemic.

When the facility reopens, rates are expected to be reduced for this year’s indoor season. A further review is planned in anticipation of reducing rental rates even further in future years.

For more information regarding rental of the Aurora Sports Dome, residents and associations can contact syoung@aurora.ca.