The donation would cover all of the expenses related to the construction of the refrigerated skating rink.
The municipality of North Hatley analyzes the project, such as the cost of construction, the expenses for the maintenance of the skating rink and the potential places.
Since the project remains embryonic and the commitment of the Pollock Foundation has not been detailed, the municipality does not close the door, however, to refuse the don if North Hatley cannot afford such a financial commitment.
“In honor of their parents (Sam and Mimi Pollock), the Pollock family wishes to finance a refrigerated skating rink through their foundation,” confirms the general manager of the municipality, Benoît Tremblay. Everything is too preliminary to advance on cost forecasts, but we look at the projects that have been carried out elsewhere, in other municipalities. ”
Recall that Sam Pollock lived in North Hatley and spent a good part of his retirement until his death in 2007. His funeral took place in North Hatley.
It remains to be seen now whether the refrigerated skating rink will be equipped with a roof or not.
One of the targeted sites would be the land welcoming tennis courts, in front of the beach Pleasant View. These land could be destroyed and replaced by cooler surfaces near the Rivière park.
“We must study on the soils and the establishment of the skating rink and we will have to analyze the final reports and then make a decision. The subject is discussed during the municipal council sessions and we will also carry out a consultation session with our citizens, ”continues the managing director.
Note that one of the latest refrigerated skating skating projects in Quebec, in Charlesbourg near Quebec, is estimated at 6.9 million before taxes, including other minor developments in the park in question.
The construction of a refrigerated exterior ice rink and a reception pavilion at the Duberger Park, in Quebec in the river district, was evaluated in the spring of 2025 to 11 million dollars.
However, each project remains different, as is maintenance costs.
In Sherbrooke at the Bleu-Blanc-Bouge ice rink, the annual interview was estimated in 2018 at $ 135,000. With inflation and rising costs, the amount has increased significantly in seven years.
In 2024 in Saint-Zotique, the maintenance cost was rendered at $ 170,000 per year.
During the 2023-2024 season, the blue white skating rink was opened for 101 days.
Does the number of inhabitants in North Hatley justify such an investment?
“We are not at all worried: this skating rink would be widely used by our citizens and the people of the region,” says Benoît Tremblay. The maintenance of a regular exterior skating rink can also cost very expensive knowing that it will only be open for twenty days, with the soft temperatures of our last winters. ”
