While most indoor sports facilities shut down during Quebec’s recent provincial lockdown, the town of East Angus decided to keep the doors open at Robert-Fournier Arena to accommodate families looking for a way to stay active in the Eastern Townships.
According to Étienne Bouchard, the town’s recreation director, East Angus had a similar offer last year. The town rented out the arena to family bubbles at a rate of $50 per hour for half the ice. This year, however, Bouchard decided to lower the rental fee to $20 per hour for full ice.
“At this price we don’t do it for the money, it’s more about, if we have to pay for it, at least offer it to the people. If we’re closed we still have to pay for the electricity, the salaries, all of that stuff, so in our mind it was better to keep it open and offer it to the citizens,” said Bouchard.
It normally costs $140 plus tax to rent ice at Robert-Fournier Arena. The reduced offer from the town gives families an opportunity to stay physically active without needing to break the bank. The town sells out its free skate time slots almost every weekday and most weekends.
