Contents CITY ARENAS ON DEATH ROW
by Max Miller
In spite of the fact that the Bobcaygeon Arena has been granted a
Village Voice pardon and will still be receiving funding to make much needed
Pg. 3-5
improvements to the upstairs community centre, I find the fact
City Hall that it still remains, along with about three other City arenas, on
Pg. 6 death row with a questionable future, pretty upsetting. As one
Councillor pointed out in a recent debate at City Hall over whether
Horoscopes it makes sense to spend money on a facility that may eventually
Pg. 24 be torn down, these community arenas have tremendous historic
Financial Services and sentimental value in our towns and villages. But not only
Pg. 16 that, they are vital to the health and well-being, for young and
old alike, and if properly maintained, they should actually be
Local Churches economically beneficial for local businesses.
Pg. 23 How can we consider shutting down local community arenas
before we have any kind of public transit for the City of Kawartha
Trades & Services Lakes in place? If we really are a City, then we must be able to
Pg. 24-27 provide the necessary transit for our people to get to City facilities.
Legion News If there was no Bobcaygeon arena, then many of our town’s
Pg. 23 children, young people and families (young and old) would be
unable to participate in sports like hockey and figure skating, and
Local Success Stories that would be an unfair and tragic thing. Recreation is essential
Pg. 35 to the vitality of a community, that is why our tax dollars are
Crossword used to fund City facilities. If residents don’t have access to
Pg. 17 transportation, how will they be able to travel to Fenelon Falls to
participate? Before local ice rinks are closed, we must be able to
Health Section ensure that the arenas which remain open and funded by our tax
Pg. 33-35 dollars, are accessible to everyone equally.
Aside from the fact that it is widely known that Bobcaygeon has
Classified Section
the best ice in the City, the arena must be maintained because
Pg. 36-37
Bobcaygeon has no other public community centre. Arguments
Local Events that our facility is not well used may actually be true, and I hate
Pg. 38 to be cliché, but, if we fix it, they will come. Currently, the
community centre upstairs is not wheelchair accessible, and just
all around in a decrepit state. Once the scheduled updates are
complete, I believe usage of the facility will increase dramatically.
If we have a more modern, accessible space, Bobcaygeon
could host more hockey tournaments and more figure skating
48 Main St., P.O. Box 535 competitions and shows, family events, community events... the
Bobcaygeon, ON K0M 1A0 possibilities are endless, and potentially lucrative.
promoter@nexicom.net I am encouraged by the fact that the Mayor and many
www.thepromoter.ca Councillors stood up to defend the Bobcaygeon Arena, and the
promises that have already been made to Bobcaygeon. Thank
Circulation 11,000 You! I recently attended the very moving presentation during
Distributed throughout the Snofest of Pete Cziraky’s hockey sweater to the arena, on Pete
Kawartha Lakes Area Cziraky Memorial Day, at the Pete Cziraky Memorial Hockey
Publisher/Director/Manager: Max Miller Tournament, and I think he would have been proud to hear his
Editor: Molly Cadigan friends and colleagues defending the commitment that council
Sales Representatives:
has already made to the arena.
Pat Thurston,Harley Pruett &
Adrienne Harrop
Art Director: James Goodliff
Production: Melissa Goodliff
Web Design: Tara Blythe
Front Cover:
TEL.: 705-738-6188
FAX: 705-738-4187
The opinions expressed in this publication
are those of the writer and not necessarily
those of the publisher.

2 March 26, 2010 - The Promoter