AMHERST – There will be skating in downtown Amherst again this winter – and for the foreseeable future.
During its Nov. 27 session, Amherst town council entered into a five-year agreement with Kim W. Maddison Enterprises Ltd. to use the property at the corner of Victoria Street and Maple Avenue as an outdoor skating rink.
As a result of the positive response to the rink last winter, council and the property owner had a mutual desire to continue this community activity.
The terms of the lease will see the town pay the taxes on the property as well as carry public liability insurance. The property tax this year amounted to $2,086.
The town will operate the rink and have full use of the property, including the parking lot, and will supply all materials and labour to operate the rink. Last year, the cost operate the rink was about $2,000.
Money for the project will come from the town’s recreation and operation budgets.
The agreement will also see the property owner make a one-time $1,500 donation to the town, which will be used to supply infrastructure such as benches or lighting for the rink.
