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Millet Agriplex banquet hall, ice time going up

Community groups that rent the Millet Agriplex hall or want ice time will have to set aside a bit more money...
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Rates are going up at the Millet Agriplex.

Community groups that rent the Millet Agriplex hall or want ice time will have to set aside a bit more money for any activities they have planned after Millet town council approved increasing rates at their regular meeting Apr. 12.

Councilors Eleanor Pydde and Vicki Pyle were absent from the meeting.

Recommendations were given to council in a memo from the Agriplex Operating Committee, of which councilor Mike Storey is a member. “On March 27, 2017 at the AOC general meeting, two items were recommended to forward to council,” stated the council agenda.

“The AOC recommended to council that the banquet hall damage deposit go from $500 to $1,000. Administration feels that this higher refundable damage deposit is needed due to the cost of possible repair to the audio/visual equipment. This is in line with similar facilities in other municipalities.”

Storey said after the recent renovations to the banquet hall, the committee was concerned about broken screens and technical equipment. He stated that renters provide a cheque for the deposit, and after the event an inspection is done and if there’s no damage, the renters get their cheque back.

Mayor Tony Wadsworth noted such deposits, sadly, are necessary. “It kind of encourages people to take care of the equipment,” said the mayor.

CAO Teri Pelletier noted the new sound and video system in the Agriplex is valued at about $100,000.

The AOC also recommended the 2017-2018 ice time fees be increased to $126 an hour for non-local minor hockey, $165 an hour for local adult hockey and $214 for non-local adult hockey.

Storey said the committee felt the ice rentals should be increased to reflect inflation; he stated ice rental rates haven’t been increased in three years. However, he pointed out Millet Minor Hockey is exempt from the increases. Their hourly rate remains at $85.

Pelletier noted the Millet Agriplex’s ice rental rates, even after the increase, are still among the lowest in the region.

Councilors unanimously approved increasing both the banquet hall damage deposit and the ice time rates.