Scugog Council rejects refrigeration plan as Blackstock Arena debate drags on

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

SCUGOG: Long-standing concerns, over the future of the Blackstock Arena, were back before Scugog councillors, on Monday, November 10th, as the General Purpose and Administration Committee reviewed a detailed follow-up report, outlining five potential remediation options for the facility’s failing refrigeration plant. After extensive and, at times, tense discussion, councillors ultimately defeated a recommendation to purchase a portable ammonia refrigeration unit, leaving the arena’s long-term future uncertain.

The report, presented by, Manager of Parks and Recreation, Shawna Cornish, traced the arena’s ongoing mechanical issues, through a series of earlier staff reports, and outlined five potential paths forward. The Blackstock Recreation Advisory Committee (BRAC) had reviewed the options, in September, and strongly endorsed Option 2, the purchase and installation of a portable ammonia refrigeration plant, calling it the most practical, cost-effective way to maintain the existing ice surface while avoiding service disruption.

Under the proposed plan, the $606,800 portable unit would replace the aging Freon-based system for the 2026–27 season, funded through the Major Facilities Reserve. The contract for the work, valued at $532,645 before HST, would be awarded to CIMCO, the Township’s longtime refrigeration contractor.

BRAC members, who had reviewed the technical report and a recording of the September 8th council discussion, dismissed Option 1 (Do Nothing) as unrealistic, emphasizing the arena’s importance to community recreation and youth development. Options involving a full rebuild or permanent plant, Options 3 and 4, were viewed as promising long-term solutions but far beyond the Township’s current financial capacity. Option 5, involving the purchase of used equipment from Whitby’s Luther Vipond Memorial Arena, remained too uncertain in cost to endorse. BRAC ultimately passed a motion recommending council move forward with Option 2.

Before council began its debate Monday, Blackstock Minor Hockey representatives, Mike Blakely and Rob Harvey, once again, addressed the committee. They reported a 35 percent rise in enrolment this year and emphasized the program’s role in offering accessible, affordable hockey to children of all abilities across the township. Both men also voiced frustration over an email, distributed Sunday evening, by Councillor David LeRoy, suggesting the arena required more extensive structural repairs. In addition, it questioned whether funds would be better spent on adding a third ice surface, at the Scugog Recreation Centre. Mr. Blakely said, he was taken by surprise, noting, user groups had repeatedly been told such an expansion was not under consideration.

Councillors spent close to three hours questioning staff, including Shawna Cornish and, Director of Public Works and Recreation, Grant Taylor, about the arena’s condition, future maintenance needs, and the financial implications of each option. When the recommendation to proceed with Option 2 finally came to a vote, it was defeated.

With no clear path forward, Mayor Wilma Wotten pressed council for direction, warning without action, procedural timelines could delay the matter for another six months. At that point, Councillor Robert Rock enthusiastically introduced a new motion directing, “staff continue to pursue all avenues of repairs and maintenance required to upgrade the facility, to ensure it is in usable condition.” Councillor Rock stressed, despite rejecting the recommended option, he wants to see ongoing and already approved work, at the arena, continue without interruption. “We can vote again at any point, to put a plant in, when we have much better ideas about what things are going to cost,” he said.

Councillor Janna Guido pushed for continued dialogue with user groups and encouraged exploring partnerships which might support long-term improvements to the facility.

CAO Warren Mar acknowledged the community’s concerns and the building’s aging state, emphasizing the need for a coordinated plan. He stated, staff would prepare a priority list of necessary upgrades while continuing to monitor and maintain the facility as it stands. “What we do not want to see is this being punted from one council to the next council to the next council, because then it will become failure by neglect,” Mr. Mar cautioned.

With council declining to approve the recommended solution and instead directing staff to pursue ongoing repairs and maintenance, the future of the Blackstock Arena’s aging ice plant remains unresolved, though the facility will stay operational as the Township works toward a clearer long-term plan.