Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By JAN TUCKER
jantuck@jamadots.com
Ontonagon — The Ontonagon-White Pine Rotary Wednesday presented the Ontonagon Hockey Association with a check for $1,000 to be used for a refurbishing project in the lobby of the Ontonagon Recreation Building.
Hockey association president Stacey Somero and vice-chair Shannon Clinesmith accepted the check on behalf of the association, noting the recreation facility and ice rink is an important asset in Ontonagon.
Clinesmith said on weekends more than 100 children use the facility for open skating.
The Ontonagon Figure Skating Association offers programs for skating and the hockey program operates out of the rink.
Somero presented some of the plans for the lobby, including a ticket table, industrial vacuum, new chairs and painting.
Clinesmith pointed out the renovation will not occur immediately because the hockey association is meeting with representatives of the village to discuss what the next step would be if there are not enough kids in a hockey program next year. If there is no hockey, there would be no association.
The OHA has a contract with the village to run the building and, in return, pays the village up to $15,000 a year to assist with expenses. They raise the funds through special events and received a $2,500 stiped from the figure skating club.
Clinesmith noted prior to the hockey association taking over the running of the building, the village was considering renting or leasing it for storage. The building is extensively used throughout the year.
Somero said the association has already booked two wedding receptions there. The Labor Festival events, annual barbecue competition, Booster Bonanza and other activities use the center.
“We need to discuss the future of the facility with the village before we do the renovations,” Clinesmith said.
The Rotary Club raised $700 of the donations through the Labor Festival Log Race and added $300 from its funds to total the $1,000 donation.