MD OF BIGHORN – Hoping to replace the current community-built rink in Dead Man’s Flats, the community association has put forward a proposal for a full-sized skating rink just to the north of the existing rink.
The Dead Man’s Flats Community Association (DMFCA) hopes the new rink – which is erected on a storm pond each fall – will be the first part of the association’s recreation grounds master plan for the area.
The current rink is built and disassembled each year by the association. The request for the new rink went before the Municipal District of Bighorn's Municipal Planning Committee on June 17.
The new rink will include a shed, where a small Zamboni and other maintenance equipment will be stored. The rink would operate with ice in the winter and be a multi-use recreation location during the other seasons.
“In terms of the maintenance, that is assigned by the community association to a group of volunteers,” Shane Jonker with the DMFCA said. “We have been doing everything by hand, and there is the expectation that would look different if we had snow removal equipment and a Zamboni.”
Bighorn administration provided 28 conditions for approval, one of which recommended a caretaker agreement to be executed with the association to limit the MD’s liability. This agreement would make the association responsible for the maintenance and operation of the rink, equipment, and buildings.
Coun. Joss Elford said that the caretaker agreement condition did not align with the current council’s vision.
“This is an MD issue, not a community association issue. If there is garbage, that is on the MD to clean up,” Elford said. “Some of these conditions are not aligning with the current council and that is a concern to me.”
Under the original application, the rink would not be available to rent, and would only be available for community members.
Jonker said that if the rink was opened for rental, there would be non-community groups and it would change the whole setup.
“The caretaker agreement would include a discussion about rental agreements, which could be in conditions or included in the caretaker agreement,” said Peter Scholz, the director of planning services. “The permit is valid for one year, and that would be an opportunity to revisit this issue if it becomes one.”
MPC member Kevin Hebb expressed concern over the size of the shed, listed at 24 feet by 16 feet.
“I’m thinking the shed needs to be larger so that it can store other equipment,” he said.
Jonker had no issue with the larger size, which would now be 24 feet by 30 feet.
“Considering we do not have any building permit drawings with this application – we only have a footprint – we have discussed what an improved size would be,” Jonker said. “We don’t have any setback issues.”
While most residents in the area were in support of the rink, one expressed concern over the visual aspects of it. MPC member Lynn Ralston asked if there could be trees to block the view of houses nearby in response to that concern.
“The houses that are close to the proposed rink are elevated two metres higher, and then they are two-storey houses,” Scholz said. “We could plant a tree, but it is going to be 30 years before the tree is screening people on the second-storey deck. If we put in a screen wall, it is going to be quite tall.”
Various conditions were altered amid discussion by the committee and the association. Rentals would be allowed but are not available outside the community association, the storage building size was increased, and signage would be added as part of the caretaker agreement.
“If there was garbage left around, I would propose a sign on the facility indicating the contact number for the community association,” Jonker said.
The committee approved the staff recommendation to approve the permit application with conditions. The association will now meet with the MD of Bighorn council regarding the rink proposal.
