WATCH ABOVE: The Town of Ajax has waived the request for a front yard homemade ice rink to be removed allowing it to stay intact for the rest of the winter season.
TORONTO – A homemade ice rink in Ajax, Ont. has been given a stay of demolition for the season.
“I am thrilled, I am so happy. The kids get to skate all winter long. They get to go outside have some exercise after school,” homeowner Karen Callery told Global News.
Her daughter Jamie skates every day after school and said she is over the moon with decision to allow her family to keep the rink.
“I just wanted to go through the phone and hug whoever said we could keep the rink,” said 9-year-old Jamie.
WATCH: Family’s winter tradition found to be in violation of city by-laws
The small rink in their front yard has become a family tradition for the Callerys. But it almost came to an abrupt end when city officials threatened the family with a fine.
“I went to the by-law office and I looked up everything – fence height requirements for the front yard, my property line, how far back I had to have it so I was able to clear the side walk of snow,” she said. “I thought I had it all figured out.”
City officials asked Callery to take it down after a complaint from an anonymous neighbour.
According to the town’s zoning bylaws the skating rink is deemed a structure and is not permissible on the front property.
On Jan. 20, Callery spoke to a bylaw officer and was asked to remove the boards around the rink and dismantle it in the next two weeks or she could face a fine of up to $25,000.
The Callery’s received a formal letter in mail from the town that states: “It has been decided that the rink and boards are a structure and are not permitted in the front yard. Please have the boards dismantled.”
READ MORE: Why is skating banned on Grenadier Pond?
On Monday, Callery responded to the letter asking for a deputation with town council to discuss the ruling and the reasons behind the decision to have her dismantle the rink.
“Ajax By-law Services is willing to utilize discretion and abstain from proceeding with regard to the structure (ice rink) located in your front yard,” said bylaw officer Sharon Williamson. “As discussed this enforcement strategy will be reconsidered in the event the rink creates any associated nuisances, such as water drainage issues, thawing and freezing of ice on the sidewalk, hockey puck damage, etc.”
But for Callery the game is still far from over.
Callery said Ajax will be doing a review of their zoning bylaws this summer and the public is allowed to attend. She said not only will she be attending, but plans on proposing a change to bylaws to allow front yard ice rinks.
“Ajax Council asked staff to reach out to the family regarding a short term resolution to keep the rink operational through March Break in light of the fact that the winter season is almost finished, and that the Town will be re-examining this bylaw this year,” Derek Hannan, Ajax’s manager of bylaw services said in a statement. “The Town looks forward to working with the family through the upcoming bylaw review process.”
Comments