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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 28, 2007 - 5 Town officially re-opens Twin Rinks arena facility By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville's newest town arena is now open to the public. The former Dominion Twin Rinks facility, located at Ninth Line and North Service Road East, opened yesterday after briefly being closed as ownership was transferred to the Town of Oakville. The town out bid all other interested parties buying the facility for $7.5 million after Dominion Twin Rinks went into receivership. "We are ready for business and look forward to offering affordable ice time," said Mayor Rob Burton. "As the doors open on our recently acquired facility, so does the opportunity for residents to access these two pads." The purchase of the arena did not come without controversy. A flurry of e-mails to the mayor, DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER IT'S OFFICIAL: Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll, Mayor Rob Burton, Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar and Ward 1 Councillor Alan Johnstone were on hand to officially open the Town of Oakville's new arena. the Town and The Oakville Beaver summer. was sparked after Dick Decloe, who A press release issued by the Town has operated the Dick Decloe Hockey of Oakville stated that Town staff had Academy at Twin Rinks for the last been meeting with existing ice user three years, sent out an e-mail stating groups about what the immediate that the Town intended to cancel future holds. upcoming programs and close the "I am pleased to say that we have arena to undertake repairs over the been able to accommodate almost all the current user groups until the end of July," said Nina deVaal, Director, Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville. "Ice time is still available for rent, and we are committed to continuing scheduled men's hockey, summer camps and a 3-on-3 league through that period. The shooter pads are typically closed at this facility over the summer, but another Town arena will have shooter pads available for rent." The press release also stated the arena would be operational until the end of July as staff access the need for repairs to the ice pads. How long the arena will remain closed during the summer depends on the type of repairs that are found to be necessary, however, Town officials insist the arena will be fully operational by the end of September. Burton, whose election campaign included a promise to increase the number of ice rinks and recreational facilities in Oakville, has stated the merits of acquiring the arena in this way noting that building a new twinpad arena would cost between $17 and $19 million. In the grand scheme of things spending $7.5 million, which Burton said came from the Town's reserves for recreational facilities, does not appear to have slowed the town's plans to build additional rinks. "Before the next election I hope you'll find us opening more rinks. We're certainly working on those plans and we're all working towards that goal," said Burton. "This should be a really fun four years with a lot of accomplishments piling up." deVaal said she did not have a figure for the expenses involved in keeping the facility open, but that an operational model was being developed and the details would appear in a report delivered to council on June 22. Welcome to Spice Your Kitchen. Making ing Your Cooking Fun Fu & Easy · Knives and Garnishing Tools · Spice Racks · Small Appliances · Cookware and Tableware · Linens, Aprons and Mitts · Bakeware · Barware · Espresso Makers and Accessories Hours: Monday-Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday CLOSED River Glen Mews Plaza 2530 6th Line, Oakville (905) 257-3500 Cabinet Refacing With A Lifetime Limited Material Warranty BEFORE We can transform your existing cabinets with new doors and laminate in your choice of style & colour. Select complimentary hardware & have the kitchen of your dreams. AFTER No Payments, No Interest for 6 Months O.A.C. Visit our showroom or call for your FREE In Home Consultation 1313 Speers Road, Oakville · 905-847-8964 Mon. - Fri. 9am-5pm, Sat. 10am-4pm www.granitetransformations.ca