Teams and families from all over Ontario and beyond are filling the stands in Renfrew | Mik Horvath/MBC
The Renfrew Minor Hockey Association has taken care of perhaps the biggest need of their offseason as registration opens up ahead of the fall.
New RMHA President Jordan McMillan says the recently signed memorandum of understanding with the Town of Renfrew is not about getting preferential treatment. Rather, it’s about locking in many of the previously unofficial arrangements around ice time, meeting space, and community outreach, like their newly developed public shinny program that has allowed for their partnership to flourish inside the myFM Centre.
Those guarantees will be especially important as Renfrew grows as a destination for mid-season tournaments. McMillan says the expanded space at the arena allowed them to host over 20 teams at a single tournament for the first time last year, bringing in healthy revenue for the town and the many local businesses that benefitted from the increased traffic.
The agreement is also a recognition that a solid framework is required to manage ongoing expectations and commitments so future leaders can handle matters with confidence.
Part of the deal included the transfer of $125,517 in funds held by the RMHA in trust on behalf of the former Second Ice Pad Committee. McMillan says they are proud to offer that money to the town to support a facility that provides tremendous opportunities for sport and community events.
(written by Kasey Egan)
