MONTREAL – A rite of passage for many young Montrealers may be threatened after city officials shut down an alleyway skating rink.
Montreal families often take out the nets to enjoy some quality ice time in the alleyways behind their homes; but this fun family activity may be skating on thin ice.
Whether it was the noise or safety concerns, residents’ complaints caused a back alley ice rink in in the neighbourhood of Villeray to be shut down, with city officials blocking access to the alley with mounds of snow.
Local parents would have appreciated a sporting chance to address their neighbour’s concerns.
“We had no warning from the City or even our neighbours,” Villeray parent Sophie Archambault told Global News. “We could have worked something out, but instead, it was a surprise.”
“When citizens want to do something positive, the city should encourage those initiatives,” said Villeray city councillor Elsie Lefebvre.
A sentiment echoed by Vision Montreal leader Louise Harel: “Montreal needs to show that families are welcome.”
The Opposition party is hoping to pass legislation to introduce community “white spaces.”
It would allow residents to use their back alleys during the winter, provided they sign a three year contract promising to maintain the common area.
A provision for “green spaces” in the summer months already exists.
A motion will be tabled at the Montreal City Council meeting February 25th.
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