Wellesley extends spring ice season at Bill Gies Recreation Centre

By Galen Simmons

Ice users in Wellesley Township will have another six weeks to hit the rink next spring after council approved an extension to the ice season at the Bill Gies Recreation Centre.

At its Aug. 18 meeting, council unanimously approved keeping the ice in for up to six weeks beyond the traditional mid-April end of the season, with spring ice available no later than May 31. Council also set the 2027 spring ice rental rate at $265 per hour.

According to interim manager of recreation Wanda Schaefer, the request came from existing ice users who are already travelling outside the township to rent ice during the spring.

“Township staff have met with the main ice users a couple months ago and they were voicing that they were using ice elsewhere in other communities for the spring season and have asked that we open our doors for that,” Schaefer told council.

The township's four main ice users – Twin Centre Minor Hockey Association, Twin Centre Hericanes, Wellesley Applejacks and Tri Edge Skating Club – have all expressed interest in extending their seasons. Staff said the relatively new Bill Gies Recreation Centre is well suited to offering spring ice because of its insulated construction.

Staff presented three pricing options. Continuing existing affiliated and prime rates was estimated to cost the township $18,000, while charging all users the regular $223-per-hour prime rate would result in an estimated $8,400 cost. Staff recommended the $265 premium spring rate, which is comparable to rates in surrounding municipalities and is expected to result in little to no impact on the township budget if anticipated rentals materialize.

Coun. Claude Hergott questioned whether user groups would commit to enough ice to make the extension financially viable. Staff said calculations were based on roughly 200 hours of rentals over the six weeks and, while there are no guarantees, they are confident demand will be there.

Staff members involved with local hockey, skating and curling organizations also told council there is interest in additional spring ice both locally and across Waterloo Region, including for spring tryouts, hockey and skating clinics, and other programming.

Coun. Derek Brick suggested council could try the extended season for one year and reconsider if demand falls short of expectations.

“I guess we can try it one year and if it doesn't work out, we know better for next year,” Brick said.

Coun. Shelley Wagner also asked staff to report back to council following the 2027 spring season with information on how much the additional ice was actually used.

Staff will begin accepting bookings for the 2027 spring season after Sept. 12. Ice will continue to be distributed according to the township's existing ice allocation policy.