LEWISPORTE, NL – An incident that took place at the Christmas Cup hockey tournament in December was discussed by the Lewisporte Town Council at the regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16.
Recreation and tourism committee chairperson Councillor Calvin Smart said an on-ice incident between a player and officiant resulted in the Christmas Cup organizing committee deciding to ban the player from participating in the tournament for the next five years.
The player involved was also one of the tournament organizers.
The Christmas Cup is an annual event that has been taking place over the past 10 years. Teams of local players made up of family and friends get together on Dec. 26-27 for some competitive hockey in what is supposed to be a fun environment that draws hundreds of spectators.
Smart, who attended the game, said once the player realized what he’d done, he left the ice and then the stadium without issue, accompanied by a stadium attendant.
Smart said the recreation and tourism committee had contacted other municipalities to determine if further action should be taken.
It was determined that in such cases, other municipalities leave it to the governing body – in this case the Christmas Cup committee – to decide what action to take.
It was noted by Coun. Perry Pond that this would follow along the same lines council has in terms of their involvement with organizations such as minor hockey, senior recreation hockey and high school hockey, where council doesn’t interfere with their protocols in responding to on-ice incidents.
Smart said he felt the Christmas Cup organizers took the appropriate action to respond to the incident.
Recreation and tourism director Chris Watton noted, “I give the committee full credit. They acted quickly.”
Watton noted that leading up to the Christmas Cup in 2018, the committee would like to discuss this and any related issues with council. Smart said the recreation and tourism committee welcomes the opportunity.
• Also under the recreation and tourism file, a number of motions were approved by council including:
- Approval of going to tender for the replacement of emergency lighting at the Lewisporte Stadium. This is required upkeep as there is an expiry period on this form of lighting.
- Approval of a rate of $103 per hour of ice time for 35-40 hours per week for Impact Hockey for their programs at the Lewisporte Stadium in 2018.
- Approval of a reduced rate for ice time for a hockey game fundraiser held by the Brown’s Arm Fire Department.
- Approval to send the recreation and tourism director and committee chair to the upcoming Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador symposium Feb. 20-22.
• Also noted under recreation and tourism, the Lewisporte Winter Carnival is slated to take place Feb. 12-18. Residents/businesses/organizations are invited to suggest ideas for events or to host their own events by contacting Watton at [email protected].
Economic development
• Council received a letter from the Gander International Airport Authority (GIAA) to ask for their support of the GIAA’s application to “modernize its overbuilt, inefficient air terminal building.” A motion was approved to send a letter of support of the GIAA initiative.
• Council approved a business occupancy application for a change of occupant to the office space at 172 Main St. The Atlantic Canada Regional Council of Carpenters, Millwrights and Allied Workers will operate a union office from this location.
Lands
• A residential occupancy permit was approved for 13 Old Briton Crescent.
• Council approved a motion to sell the land located at the rear of 448-452 Main St. The former location of the Hometown Department Store will be the new location of Riff’s.
A motion was approved for the town to begin compiling a list of properties that might be in violation of occupancy permits.
Public works
• Public works committee chairperson Coun. Stephen Hollett informed council that town employees were asked to survey garbage boxes in Lewisporte and report back on those that are not compliant with town regulations.
Hollett said 237 residences were noted to have garbage boxes located within 0-10 feet of a curb or roadside, which is in violation of municipal regulations.
Of those 237, 121 garbage boxes were within five feet of the curb. Some were located one foot from the curb.
Residents are reminded this is not in compliance with town policies. If they are not moved the town will not be responsible for damages to the garbage boxes.
• On the subject of waste water monitoring, Hollett noted the town is currently not compliant with federal regulations. A motion was carried to go to tender for the purchase of outfall flow meters.
• Council approved a motion to send superintendent of public works Corb Randell to chlorine handling safety training Feb. 15-16.
• A motion was approved to tender for sewer outfall consolidation for outfalls one through seven.
It was approved for the lane located near the new Orange Store location off Main Street be called MacLaggan Place. This is in keeping with the naming process for new roads and naming them after former mayors. This one is named after Brian MacLaggan.
Protective services
• Deputy Mayor Krista Freake noted the youth firefighter program, now in its fourth year, is underway.
There are 25 participants registered, and in attending the opening session she was happy to see that half of those are girls.
“It’s certainly an excellent opportunity,” Freake said. “Not only does it provide an opportunity for those students to gain knowledge about fire and protective services and so on, but from my perspective (as a high school principal) it goes on scholarship applications and university applications, so it is beneficial to them all around.”
Thanks were extended to the volunteers from Lewisporte Fire Rescue who make it possible to offer this program to area youth.
Finance
• A cheque register in the amount of $192,274.31 was approved for payment.
