Work is continuing on updating the "early ice" policy at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Efforts started in 2017, amid concerns raised about the policy in force since the late 1990s, which defines "early ice" as ice before Thanksgiving.
While Community Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson admits that hasn't been enforced in the last several years, he says it's important staff follow municipal policies, requiring a policy that makes sense and works "for the people".
Patterson says staff have finished researching costs and benefits of early ice - as well as what other communities do - and they're now looking to user groups for input.
While Patterson doesn't have a recommendation for the early ice policy yet - citing the importance of user feedback - he notes he'll bring up a "couple ideas" for discussion.
In order to give user groups time to adjust and budget for the changes, Patterson says he doesn't expect the revised policy to take effect until at least the 2019-20 ice season or the following season, depending on when the revised policy is approved.