Taxpayer to partially fund city arenas

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It may be our national sport. But fewer and fewer kids are playing hockey these days. And that means taxpayers may have to pay more to keep hockey programs alive.

In Hamilton, enrollment in minor hockey has dropped about seven percent in the past five years, mostly in the lower city. Officials point to an aging population and changing demographic as the reason for the decline. Without more funding from the city, sports groups would be forced to cover a 17% hike in ice time, something city staff say would be too much to absorb. Instead, staff is recommending the city increase its subsidy.

Bryan Ozorio, City of Hamilton: “If we took the same approach we did in previous years — cost versus hours rented — it would result in a substantial increase in price. So we just don’t feel that a lot of the hockey associations, particularly in the old city of Hamilton, would be able to sustain that or sustain a lot of the programs. And we know that cost is a major barrier to participation. So that’s why we are recommending to council. And of course it is up to them to decide, but we are recommending that we hold the line at three percent which has been the average increase for the last three years.”

Officials say there are some areas of the city — Ancaster, Flamborough and Stoney Creek — where enrollment numbers remain strong.