Sports
Hockey registration fees: Pincourt reacts
Agreeing with his colleagues Danie Deschênes and Michel Bourdeau, Pincourt mayor Claude Comeau deplores the fact that Perrot's young hockey players are being penalized by the Ville de L'Île-Perrot's non-collaboration in the management of the Cité-des-Jeunes arena.
“I agree with Ms. Deschênes and Mr. Bourdeau that the Ville de L'Île-Perrot refused to collaborate and participate in the project two years ago. We proposed several times that they join us, so that young people could benefit. Unfortunately, there was no follow-up. Pincourt, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot and Terrasse-Vaudreuil have joined forces to manage the Cité-des-Jeunes arena. The Town of L'Île-Perrot refused to get involved,” said Claude Comeau, mayor of Pincourt.
On Thursday, the Town of L'Île-Perrot denounced the fact that young hockey players wishing to join the Association de hockey mineur de l'île Perrot and residing on Perrot territory cannot benefit from a preferential rate, as is the case for the citizens of Pincourt, Terrasse-Vaudreuil and Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot.
According to the city, the Association de hockey mineur de l'île Perrot (HMIP) “unilaterally decided, in conjunction with the Cité-des-Jeunes arena administration, to offer a higher rate to Île-Perrot residents, unlike Terrasse-Vaudreuil, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot and Pincourt”.
According to the Ville de L'Île-Perrot, the intermunicipal group that manages the Cité-des-Jeunes arena invited HMIP to give preference to residents of the three towns responsible for operating the sports facility - Pincourt, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot and Terrasse-Vaudreuil - or risk increasing the ice fees charged to HMIP. “HMIP listened to the Arena's advice and acted to the detriment of Perrot residents”, denounced the Perrot administration.
Contacted by Néomédia, the mayor of Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, Danie Deschênes, recalled that the Town of L'Île-Perrot refused the offer presented by the three other towns on Île Perrot.
“We took the risk of joining forces to manage the Cité-des-Jeunes arena. It's only natural that municipalities participating in the group should benefit from preferential rates. We drew up a business plan that was rejected by the Ville de L'Île-Perrot. So, if the town refuses to cooperate, why should it benefit from privileges?“
“We take all the risks involved in managing this sports facility. If the Ville de L'Île-Perrot wants to benefit from the advantages of collaboration, then let them join us. We reiterated our invitation to the Town, but since then, no sound and no image. Once again, the lack of collaboration between the Ville de L'Île-Perrot and the other towns on the island has an impact on the children,” laments Ms. Deschênes.
Michel Bourdeau, mayor of Terrasse-Vaudreuil, agrees. “We put a lot of time and effort into saving the organization. If we hadn't taken that risk, our young people on Île Perrot would no longer have a place to practice their sport... We took the risk, and it's only natural that we should reap the rewards. The Town of L'Île-Perrot would like to have the same advantages and do nothing. It doesn't work that way. All the city has to do is join us,” he told Néomédia.
Unimpressed citizens
On social media, many citizens deplored the fact that the Ville de L'Île-Perrot placed the blame on the sports association.
“We should also mention that we, the Town of L'Île-Perrot, are the only town not to have participated in the Cité-des-Je4unes Arena project, along with Pincourt and NDIP. That's why residents of our town pay more for AHMIP registration. Instead of blaming AHMIP, you could simply refund your residents who have registered,” said one citizen.
“Bad flop as a protest. A bit too late to turn back the clock and very unfortunate for the children. Hoping for alternatives to remedy the situation,” said another.
“Have you considered that VIP is responsible for all this by being the only city that refused to merge with the others for the arena? Instead of putting money into your park shows (your passion for art), maybe think of the children,” added one citizen.
For several years, the Ville de L'Île-Perrot has been providing financial assistance to HMIP, with the specific aim of offering a preferential rate to citizens registered for the hockey season, i.e. the same rate as all Île Perrot residents.
The Town said it was prepared to repeat this payment in 2024, but HMIP formally refused to take advantage of it and use it as the Town wished, indicating that the Association would no longer process any municipal subsidies due to the involvement of the towns of Pincourt, Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot and Terrasse-Vaudreuil in the Cité-des-Jeunes Arena project.
The Town of L'Île-Perrot therefore invites its citizens to “make the necessary representations so that HMIP reconsiders its position, accepts to receive the financial aid to which it is entitled and uses it wisely, i.e. by reserving a preferential rate for the citizens of Perrot, as for all residents of Île Perrot”, as stated in a press release.
The Île Perrot Minor Hockey Association has not yet responded to our request for an interview.
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