Expect discussion around infrastructure and facilities, including Central Manitoulin’s two arenas, to be near the top of mayor-elect Adam Smith’s priorities once he’s sworn into office. Smith told CTV News the voters spoke loud and clear at the ballot box during the recent municipal election. “It certainly seems that is their want, is that they would like to see ice back in that facility and to be able to use it at this point in time,” he said in a recent interview. “I think the waters are a little muddied as far as what direction we are going to go with our infrastructure.” The two ice pads, one in Mindemoya and the other in Providence Bay, had been a hot-button issue for Mayor Richard Stephens and his council. The mayor was the tie-breaking vote that would see the arena repaired. Community volunteers lobbied council vigorously and worked to fundraise to fix the structural issues to the wall of the ice pad in Mindemoya. Split vote Earlier this year, in a split vote, council voted to decommission the Providence Bay arena, citing concerns over a small tax base and operating costs. Smith won in a landslide in the Oct. 26 election, beating Stephens, who served as mayor for 12 years. While he has only one vote on council, he personally would like to see the Providence Bay rink stay open. “I’m a firm believer that there is nothing structurally wrong with either facility and the Mindemoya arena already has its ice in and I’m looking forward to seeing it used,” he said. “The Providence Bay arena was scheduled for decommissioning and I’m not speaking ahead for any of the other members of council, but I know that’s something we’re going to be looking at.” Smith believes more public consultation with taxpayers will be required in the coming year as they look to determine next steps. He said a happy medium is going to be required if Central Manitoulin is able to keep both facilities. “That money has to come from somewhere and I think the big thing with the budget coming up is to see what those numbers are,” he said. “The history is so deeply embedded in the community, we really need to take that into consideration as well.” He says there are two positive reports that say each ice pad is in good shape and the voters need to be listened to in that respect. The inaugural meeting for the new council is scheduled for Nov. 24, 2026.
