BY NANCY KELLY
Kings County Advertiser/Register
The doors to the Western Kings Arena in Kingston will stay open for at least another season, thanks to new volunteers who came forward to take on executive positions on the rink management commission.
Wayne Fowler, outgoing chairman of the Western Kings Arena Association, made it his mission in the past few months to get the word out about the necessity of attracting new membership.
“Our numbers have really dwindled in the past year, but we still need enough bodies to keep this place going,” said Fowler during his final report to the WKAA’s June 17 annual meeting. “If there is no one here to run the place and sign the cheques, our kids won’t have a place to skate or play hockey.”
Fowler, stepping down from the position due to an out-of-province military posting, said interest in the facility started to wane when 14 Wing Greenwood announced plans to build a new two-sheet ice surface in Greenwood.
“But that isn’t a done deal and, until we know how that is going to turn out, we need to keep this rink viable.”
He said, even if a new two-pad arena is built, the Kingston arena has “lots of potential for alternate uses.
“The village has recognized this and demonstrated its support by taking over responsibility for the arena in the summer months. The village shares our interest in keeping this a community facility,” said Fowler, calling the partnership between the village and the arena “a highlight of the year.”
“Our numbers have really dwindled in the past year, but we still need enough bodies to keep this place going." - Wayne Fowler
Fowler reported the arena had a good year, posting comparable ice revenues as in the year previous.
“Groups are using the ice, the building is sound, we have dedicated staff,” so it makes no sense to stop operating now, noted Fowler.
Arena manager Charlie Bishop reported earlier in the day the fire marshal had been in for his annual visit and commented on the rink’s good condition.
“He said it’s one of the best-kept places in the area.”
The group is still carrying a substantial debt from necessary structural repairs made several years ago, now at close to $120,000, up from $94,000 this time last year.
“We are approaching this from a business perspective now, and every business or organization has debt. It’s how you manage that debt that matters, and we are on top of it,” said Fowler, who thanked Valley Credit Union for helping organize the group’s finances.
Nominations from the floor garnered a new chairman, vice chair and treasurer. Kevin Donovan will replace Fowler as chairman, Jamie Nicholson will take over the vice-chairman’s role from Peter Morse and Jack Rafuse assumes the treasurer’s position.
