A Durham Post reader has written a long and impassioned ‘Letter to the Editor’ about the neglect of Blackstock Arena in the Township of Scugog.
A major disaster was averted on Monday, November 17 (see below), when township staff noticed the start of an electrical fire and called 911, before it got out of hand.
Sharon Dodgson-Smith made an urgent appeal to Scugog council to save the Blackstock arena, suggesting that the local residents and taxpayers believe their facility has been neglected for far too long.
She noted that this township asset was recognized as a top priority in the 2018 Parks, Recreation and Culture Strategic Master Plan, as well as part of the Council’s Strategic Directives, for enhancements to new and existing recreational facilities, to provide activities for all ages.
But this is “all talk, no action”, said Sharon.
Right To Be Upset
She said the people of Blackstock are right to be upset about the lack of investment in their arena over recent years. “At the September GPA meeting of council, it was noted that the potential failure of the 60-year-old refrigeration plant at the Blackstock arena would close down the facility, at least temporarily. It is astounding that a conversation was not started decades earlier about this ageing piece of infrastructure, with preparations made for its replacement.”
During the tenure of the last council, a conceptual drawing (now collecting dust) for a new state-of-the-art Blackstock arena, with an NHL size ice pad, cost Scugog taxpayers thousands of dollars, Sharon said while pointing out that the idea for a new arena was predicated on obtaining grants from higher levels of government. However, with a population of fewer than 1000 people in Blackstock, it was no surprise the grant applications failed.
“Yes, the people of Scugog are passionate about their public facilities,” said Sharon.
Referring to Port Perry Fairgrounds, she said: “Our council ignored public opposition and hired a consultant at a cost of $100,000+ to determine the future of the Port Perry fairgrounds park, a facility that has been managed successfully for well over 100 years by the Port Perry Agricultural Society (PPAS) at their own expense, saving the taxpayers untold dollars in maintenance costs.
Stop Bleeding Our Tax Dollars
“Council claim the hiring of a consultant will capture the voices from many more residents…It’s a pity council did not apply their reasoning and capture the peoples’ voice to determine if they wanted a consultant involved in the first place,” said Sharon.
“The Blackstock Arena and the Port Perry Fairgrounds are under threat…Over $5 million of our unused taxes has accrued with interest in the township’s coffers since 2019, monies that could be used to save Blackstock arena,” she said.
“To Scugog Council and staff, stop bleeding our tax dollars for unrealistic plans and bad ideas. Engage directly with the people you are supposed to represent and show fiscal responsibility. Politicians like to leave their mark before they leave office. Make Blackstock Arena that mark,” Sharon stated.