Fall is setting in and snow is on its way. Soon, North Hatley’s Rivière Park will offer a hockey rink and an ice trail. Many residents are wondering about the maintenance costs.
Once again, in order to confirm the exact amounts, I did some research to find out who is responsible for the costs and how much it costs the village to maintain a skating rink and ice trail.
Normally, North Hatley shares the maintenance costs and allows the people of Hatley Township to use the rink free of charge. Has this agreement been renewed?
According to the latest information, the agreement had still not been renewed as of June 12, 2025.
Here is the evolution of the maintenance costs for the North Hatley rink over the last few years, taken from the minutes.
| Season / Date | Supplier | Amount & terms | Montant & modalités | Comments |
| 2024-2025 (session of Nov. 4, 2024) | Tom Price | Ice rink maintenance | 16 000 $ avant taxes (poste 02.701.50.529) | Cost shared with the Township of Hatley according to the recreation agreement |
| 2023-2024 (meeting of Nov. 6, 2023) | Jesse Morse | Ice rink maintenance (ice trail “as needed” at controlled cost) | 13 020 $ | Initial allocation subsequently amended on December 4, 2023 (wording of the resolution) |
| 2018-2019 (meeting of February 4, 2019) | Regan Sheldon | Maintenance of skating rinks, ice trail, and park chalet at Rivière Park | 1 000 $/semaine, taxes en sus, jusqu’à la fin de la saison | Budget item02.701.50.522 |
| 2018-2019 (meeting of March 4, 2019) | Regan Sheldon | Accounts payable related to maintenance | 1 408,44 $ (09-jan-2019) + 2 299,50 $ (10-févr-2019) + aides à l’enlèvement de la neige | Amounts detailed in the list of suppliers (taxes included) |
Sources :
- November 4, 2024 — award to Tom Price and cost sharing with the Township of Hatley. Village de North Hatley
- November 6, 2023 — award to Jesse Morse ($13,020 Village de North Hatley
- December 4, 2023 — The minutes note an amendment to Resolution 2023-11-06.22, “Ice rink maintenance.”
- February 4, 2019 — contract to Regan Sheldon ($1,000/week, plus taxes). Village de North Hatley
- March 4, 2019 — Accounts payable to Regan Sheldon (details of invoices related to maintenance).illage de North Hatley
What about the Zamboni?
If the manager uses a resurfacer (often called a Zamboni), you also need to consider its maintenance and operating costs—unless they are already included in the service provider’s price. This is not always specified in the quote, so it’s something to check in the contract or detailed invoice.
While we wait for a refrigerated rink, let’s hope Mother Nature gives us stable cold weather until the magnificent refrigerated rink is ready.
Enjoy your hockey and skating!
