Storage Room Debate Spills Over To Social Media; CAO Tries To Clear The Air

The City of Dryden is clearing the air over a growing controversy over the Minor Ball Association storage room at the Memorial Arena.
Several comments on Social Media slam the Ice Dogs organization for allegedly forcing the Association out of the Arena.
Chief Administrative Officer Andre Larabie says that’s not the case.
Larabie says they have decided to transform the room into a medical room for all user groups of the Arena.
He stresses the move was made in the best interest of safety to protect the health of kids who use the facility.
Larabie says medical staff need a place to work, without having to operate in the middle of a hallway.
He points to a recent minor hockey game where a player was injured and there was no space available to attend to him.
Larabie says the child’s mother ended up having to drive him to the hospital for treatment.
He stresses it’s not a designated room for the Ice Dogs but is a medical and first aid room.
The Minor Ball Association has been told to vacate the room by December 15th.
Larabie says they’ve offered them ample space at the Public Works building at no charge.
He says the site is heated and fully accessible to the group 12 months a year.
Larabie notes provisions should have been made for storage when folks moved ahead with construction of the new pavilion at the ball diamonds.
He adds a storage room will be required when the new Soccer complex is being built.
Larabie notes they’ve tried their best to communicate and explain the changes to the Ball Association.
To hear the complete interview click on the link below.