City to consider ice-skating trail. Mayor says everybody loves this idea

New cross-country ski trails may be added to the skating trail concept

Ward 1 Councillor Paul Christian says the Sault could have ice trails at more than one park

Sault Ste. Marie City Council agreed tonight to look into the possibility of creating an ice-skating trail in the city.

"Toronto is now building one under the Gardiner Expressway," said Ward 6 Councillor Ozzie Grandinetti, who proposed the idea.

Hamilton, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Huntsville and Whitehorse all have built skating trails ranging from one to 11 kilometres long, either on rivers or land, Grandinetti said in a motion seconded by Ward 3 Councillor Matthew Shoemaker.

"I think if they can build one under the Gardiner Expressway, we can build one at one of our parks downtown, or partner with the private sector, a golf course or something," Grandinetti told council.

Grandinetti asked everyone to check out MacGregor Point Provincial Park alongside Lake Huron near Port Elgin, Ont.

That park has an ice trail with nearby ice pad and cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.

"It's a really nice idea," said Mayor Christian Provenzano. "Evervbody likes it."

"I think it's a good idea," added Ward 1 Councillor Paul Christian. "When I scratched out a drawing of where I thought the splash pad could be, I had the skating path built into it."

"I think that's something you can have in multiple parks at the same time in winter," Christian said.

Under the resolution passed tonight, city staff will work with the parks and recreation advisory committee to explore opportunities to develop a local skating trail.

Under a friendly amendment proposed by Ward 2 Councillor Sandra Hollingsworth, the city will also look into adding cross-country ski trails or other recreational possibilities to the ice trail concept.