Pitt rink gets temporary manager during court battle

The Times
Published: Friday, December 21, 2007

The rink in Pitt Meadows has a new, temporary manager while the city tries to find a new long-term manager and deal with a lingering legal battle over the rink.

As of Wednesday, the Pitt Meadows Arenas is being managed by a company called Recreation Excellence. The organization will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the arena, as an interim operator, while the process to search for a long-term operator is underway.

"You will continue to see familiar faces, as most of the current staff will be working for us," Tom Watson, principal of the group, said in a news release Thursday. "Our managers and staff will work diligently to develop positive, proactive relationships with user groups and provide a full suite of comprehensive services."

The city is in a legal battle with Citizens Bank, which gave out a mortgage on the arena, over costs for repairs and the legality of an arena lease.

"Although there is continuing litigation with respect to the ownership of the arena, the city is confident of a positive outcome," said a news release. "At the appropriate time, it is the intention of the city to issue a Request for Proposals for a permanent operator."

Kelly Swift, director of recreational services for the city, said this was a good short-term solution.

"Rec Excellence has a reputation for providing good service and safe, well maintained buildings and programs," she said in the release.

"Recent upgrades by the city, such as roofing repairs, the purchase of a backup Zamboni, a new edger, and new skates show that the commitment is there," said Mayor Don MacLean in the release. "We need to work together to make this a facility one we all can be proud of. The city's goal was and is very much the same -- to ensure that options exist not only for people from Pitt Meadows but visitors from outside our community. We intend to continue with these efforts while ensuring that the city's arena is maintained as a safe, clean and welcoming facility."