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Community rinks in Saskatchewan are about to go on the power play.
SaskPower announced Thursday it’s going to waive a portion of rinks’ power bills through a one-time relief program. The Community Rink Relief Program is to run from March 1 to Sept. 1 and is expected to cost the Crown corporation $700,000.
“Ice rinks are at the heart of many Saskatchewan communities — but many have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in the federally imposed carbon tax,” Don Morgan, the minister responsible for SaskPower, said in a media release. “This program aims to help these community rinks weather the storm.”
The program waives all demand charges for eligible rinks. The facilities still would have to pay for the power they use, their basic monthly charge and applicable taxes.
SaskPower expects the average rink will save about $1,600 per month while it’s operating, and around $330 per month once it’s shut down for the season.
To be eligible for the program, a rink must be a skating or curling rink that is community-owned, non-profit, and operated by a municipality or First Nations community.
More information about the plan can be found here.
