The District of Sparwood is making a concession for the City of Fernie user groups that are using their arena while the Fernie facility is closed.
Teams like the Fernie Ghostriders, and Fernie Skating Club no longer have to pay a non-local user fee for ice time, instead, paying a reduced local fee.
The argument posed to council was that while the Fernie Memorial Arena is closed, the Sparwood arena is the closest available facility.
“We certainly don’t want to see any user groups facing any unintended costs,” said District of Sparwood CAO Terry Melcer, adding that the Elk Valley is a united region that has municipalities that cooperate, look out for one another.
This is an opportunity, she said, “to come to the aid of a neighbouring community and their residents.”