BY NANCY KELLY
Kings County Advertiser/Register
With a memorandum of understanding providing for yearlong facility use on the horizon, the Western Kings Arena is entering a “new and exciting” phase of operations.
Western Kings Arena Association (WKAA) president Wayne Fowler reported the MOU, if approved by the WKAA board of directors, will see Kingston assume responsibility for the arena in the non-ice season.
“This partnership is a positive move for the arena and for the community,” says Fowler of the tentative agreement formally approved by the village commission at its March 11 meeting.
Under the terms of the proposal, the village and arena management group pledge “to work together to maintain and improve the viability of the Western Kings Arena.”
The WKAA will continue to be responsible for operations during the ice season and year-round fixed expenses, such as insurance and power. In return for management rights for approximately 100 days each year, the village will increase its annual donation to the rink from $2,000 to $4,600 and agrees to cover any additional Nova Scotia Power expenses through increased facility use during the period in question.
In the most recent and final draft of the MOU, the WKAA will continue to coordinate West Kings High School’s annual graduation ceremony and Kingston’s Steer Barbecue celebration.
“Being involved in those two events is part of our history, and also keeps us connected with the community,” says Fowler of the amendment requested by his group.
The MOU was conceived to address concerns regarding the future of the Kingston arena, in particular to the Arena Curling Partnership Project being spearheaded by 14 Wing Greenwood. The project to build a new double pad ice arena and curling facility in Greenwood through a partnership of federal, provincial and municipal stakeholders is now in its second phase. Operations of the Kingston arena will be affected if a two-sheet ice surface is built in Greenwood.
“But until that moves ahead or is resolved, we have to go forward on the assumption that the Kingston arena will be here,” adds Fowler, confident the agreement between the village and WKAA will revitalize the arena as an all-season facility.
“Regardless of what happens down the road, the Kingston arena will remain an integral part of our community,” notes Fowler, calling the MOU a “no-brainer win-win” that will solidify the arena.
Fowler plans to present the final draft of the MOU to the directors of the WKAA in the near future.
