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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, February 8, 1998 - 15 Aging arena resurfacing machines pose dilemma Council seeks answers as they ponder big purchase By John B. McClelland Port Perry Star Scugog Township may ask an expert to find out how many "floods" are left in the resurfacer at the arena. Councillors also want to know whether it's wise to spend more money on repairs to the current machine, or buy a new one at a cost of $60,000. Parks and recreation committee chair- man Ken Carruthers made the suggestion at a meeting Monday morning. He said paying $500 for some expert advice could save a lot of money in the future. The resurfacer at the arena (an Olympia model) was bought in 1982, and has over 300,000 miles on it. Over the past six years the township has spent just over $19,000 in repairs. Scugog administrator Earl Cuddie told the committee that Whitby's chief mechan- ic examined the machine recently, and concluded it is almost worn out. "We are spending good money after bad," he suggested. The machine has over 8,000 hours on it, and every hour of operation is the equivalent of 40 miles, said the adminis- trator. The Mr. Resurfacer company of Blackstock says in a letter to the township that this model should last 20 to 23 years, based on flooding a single pad for a seven- month season. The 8000 hours "is not excessive,' says the letter dated Jan. 30. A new resurfacer costs about $60,000. The old one could be sold for abot $15,000, which means it will cost $45,000 to replace it. Estimates of the cost to totally rebuild and refurbish the present machine to bring it up to par are $10,000. The parks and rec committee needs some answers before making a decision on whether to buy a new machine for the start of the 1998-99 arena season. There is another issue the committee will have to deal with as well: What to do about the resurfacing equipment used at the Blackstock Arena. Mr. Cuddie said there have been four complaints so far this winter about the fact the resurfacer used at Blackstock is powered by a diesel farm tractor. It cannot be converted to propane. He said provincial inspectors might eventually order the township to get rid of the diesel tractor on the grounds the fumes may pose a health risk to people using the arena. It was suggested at Monday's meeting that if the diesel tractor is banned, the township could spend the money to refur- bish the machine used at the Scugog Arena and press it into service at Blackstock. That would mean a new machine for the Scugog Arena. And that scenario would mean a total capital outlay of some $70,000 for the township at a time when budgets are already stretched to the max. Councillor Carruthers warned that action of some kind is needed to address the situation. "We cannot afford to close down the arena for a week or two (if the machine breaks down completely)," he said. corre Wey CHRIS HALL/PORT PERRY STAR MONITORING THE SITUATION: Representatives from Port Perry Branch 419 were at the hospital in Port Perry last week to present Foundation member Gail Kerry with a cheque for $9,000. The money will be used to buy equipment such as the above heart monitor. Here, Legion President Rory Thompson (left) and Poppy Chairperson Stan Clark present the cheque. The Multicultural Council of Oshawa/Durham will be celebrating its 17th Annual Social on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. George's Ukrainian Catholic (LVIV) Hall, Multicultural council will hold 'Social' Buy 1/2 Dozen Bagels get 1/2 Dozen for Cheese Bagel and get another for - HE z Fats Buy a Coffee & Cream Hours: Mon-Thurs. 7-5; Fri. 7-6; Sat. 9-5; Sun. 11-4 F w¥ 10 VARIETIES OF BAGELS BAKED ON THE PREMISES 11 FRESHLY MADE, DELICIOUS CREAM CHEESE FLAVOURS 2 SOUPS DAILY FRESHLY MADE SANDWICHES ON FRESH BAKED BAGELS OR BREAD NOW SERVING FRESHLY MADE SALADS TAKE OUT - CALL AHEAD IF YOU LIKE! Oshawa. Tickets are $20 each and may be ordered not later than Saturday, Feb. 14 from Information Oshawa at 434-4636 or Dave Patterson at 723- 5418. Bagel with Cream Cheese, choice of 2 $ soups, coffee or pop! 89 tax incl. Bagel 100z. Coffee & Buttered 1°