Please see the letter sent on Jan 23rd 2026 to the City of Windsor regarding the proposed 8% ice fee increase.
DATE: January 23, 2026
TO: The Mayor and Members of City Council City of Windsor 350 City Hall Square West
Windsor, ON N9A 6S1
FROM: The Joint Youth Ice User Committee (Representing: Riverside Minor Hockey,
Windsor Minor Hockey, Windsor Figure Skating Club, South Windsor Figure Skating Club,
Riverside Figure Skating Club, and Sun Parlour Female Hockey Association)
Subject: Joint Statement Regarding Proposed 8% Ice Fee Increase – 2026 Budget
Dear City Councillors,
On behalf of Riverside Minor Hockey, Windsor Minor Hockey, the Windsor, South
Windsor, and Riverside Figure Skating Clubs, and the Sun Parlour Female Hockey
Association, we are writing to express our serious concerns regarding the proposed
8% ice fee increase in the 2026 City Budget.
For decades, our organizations have operated under predictable annual fee increases
of 2–3%. This year’s proposal is nearly four times that average and significantly
outpaces inflation. As ice rental is the primary expense in our respective budgets, an
8% hike will force a substantial increase in registration fees for the thousands of
families we collectively serve.
While we understand Council’s desire to manage the general tax rate, we believe this
should not be achieved at the expense of youth accessibility to sport. Rising costs
create a direct barrier to entry, making physical activity less affordable for Windsor
families. At a time when youth physical and mental health are of paramount
importance, this increase represents a significant step backward for municipal policy.
Furthermore, regarding the upcoming budget deliberations, we kindly demand full
transparency in both the discussion and voting as we feel our members deserve to see
how these decisions are reached and where each representative stands on the future
of local youth sport.
We respectfully ask Council to reconsider this increase and maintain a rate that keeps
skating and ice hockey accessible to every child in our city.
Sincerely,
Angela Barraco Anne Marie Schofield
President, Windsor Figure Skating Club President, Riverside Minor Hockey
Angela Barraco Anne Marie Schofield
__________________________ __________________________
Paul van Heugten Shannon Munson
President, South Windsor Skating Club President, Windsor Minor Hockey Association
Paul van Heugten Shannon Munson
__________________________ __________________________
Steven St. Louis
President, Sun Parlour Female Hockey
Association
Steven St. Louis