Collingwood Minor Hockey wants council to include a roof on the outdoor rink in this year's budget.
The project, which is expected to cost $900,000, was slated to be included in the 2010 budget but was removed before the budget was presented to council.
Collingwood Minor Hockey Association president Anthony Griffiths said registration is currently at 410 kids and is expected to grow. They currently ice 27 teams and expect that to rise to 30 next year.
"We have seen impressive growth in our younger age groups in the past few seasons," Griffiths said in a press release. "That means the pressures we are facing now in a one rink town will only get worse in the years to come."
In order to meet the demand, the organization has had to schedule games and practices in Feversham and Thornbury as well as having two teams practice at the same time.
"We are struggling for ice time," he said. "We ask that you keep the roof for the outdoor rink in your budget discussions."
Griffiths said the best scenario for player development is for each team to have two practices and one game per week. They are about 400 hours short of that goal.
Two seasons ago, the town was able to assign more ice to Collingwood Minor Hockey, but it still hasn't eliminated the need to schedule ice at rinks out of town.
Peter Dunbar, director of leisure services, said a roof could add about 30 days to the skating season. He said it would reduce the impact of sun, rain and snow.
"It would provide a much more stable environment to make ice," he said.
Griffiths said the organization has asked all parents to write a letter to council urging them to put the project in the budget.
He said the organization has a building fund but hasn't started fundraising because there has been no project to fundraise for.
"Ever since the town cancelled the double rink project planned with the Super Build project, we have been hearing wait until next year," he said. "Quite simply, we have run out of next year's, it is time to build."
Councillor Sonny Foley disagrees. Foley has long been an advocate of a single multi-use facility and is not a fan of the idea of putting a roof on the outdoor rink.
"It's a million dollars," he said.
He believes it would also increase operating costs, as there would be separate staff.
Foley spoke to someone at Monday's meeting who suggested a temporary dome over the ice surface, which Foley believes would be cheaper.
He said Collingwood should focus on a single facility.
"We have to think in the long term," he said.
Councillor Mike Edwards believes the roof on the outdoor rink isn't a long-term solution but will help in the short-term.
"By putting a roof on the outdoor ice surface, it's going to create a lot of pluses," he said.
Edwards said it will not only increase the skating season but will provide more opportunities for everyone.
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