The Westmount arena/pool project

A sketch of the proposed arena/pool project in Westmount. Sketch provided by Lemay Associés.

Published on February 9, 2011

Elisabeth Faure

Approaching private schools to help offset the $17 million price tag

Set to start construction later this year, the Westmount arena/pool project is, in the city's own words, "the most important project the City of Westmount has put forward in its long history." This marks the first in a series of Examiner articles that will examine the $37 million project in depth. This week's article looks at the role Selwyn House school may play in financing the arena.

Topics :

Selwyn House , The Westmount ,Westmount , Westmount Park

The City of Westmount and Selwyn House are defending a possible fundraising arrangement for Westmount Park’s new hockey arena that has some Westmount residents concerned.

At issue? A year ago, the city approached the school regarding the project. A Selwyn House newsletter describes an “opportunity” being offered to the school by the city, whereby the school would be granted access to the arena for its hockey and skating programs - in return for funds raised by the school. Selwyn House is considering a “focused Athletics Campaign” that would raise up to $2 million for the arena.

Some residents, however, worry that this arrangement would give Selwyn House privileged status at the arena, at the expense of other schools - particularly public ones. “Selwyn House has been targeted (by Westmount),” says resident Mavis Young. Young has been following the school’s involvement with the project. She questions whether the city is counting on big bucks from the all-boys school.

“Selwyn House isn’t the only school we approached,” counters city general director (and Selwyn House alum) Duncan Campbell. He says the city also spoke to St. George’s and ECS. Campbell is clear that no deal has been reached with any of the schools regarding funding, and all talks have been held in a transparent manner. “Everything we’ve been doing has been above-board - there’s nothing hidden here.”

Although Selwyn House is not the only school Westmount approached, it is the school that stands to gain the most. The school has a big hockey program, and current rink time used by St. George’s and ECS is far less in comparison. “If you look at the arena’s schedule, almost all of the school use right now is Selwyn House,” notes Peter Weldon, who lives across the street from the arena.

Principal Hal Hannaford agrees Selwyn House is a big client. “Right now, I think we’re their (the arena’s) biggest tenant,” he laughs. The school currently uses both the Westmount arena and Verdun auditorium for its hockey programs, at an annual cost of roughly $45,000.

"The school wouldn’t use ice during prime time - weekends or evenings - because that time is "precious to the community."- Selwyn House Principal Hal Hannaford

Hannaford observes this would be an unusual project for Selwyn House. “We’d be going to our community to raise money for a facility that’s not ours,” he explains. But even though he says no deal is currently in place, he has an idea of what he'd like the city to offer in exchange for the school's hefty donation.

On Hannaford’s wish list? A ten-year agreement for guaranteed, rent-free ice time (“we’d take as much as they’d offer us”), and a permanent dressing room during hockey season. Hannaford says the school would happily pay rent for the dressing room, if a spare room is available. And he says the school wouldn’t use ice during prime time - weekends or evenings - because that time is "precious to the community."

“How will this be fair to Westmount citizens - especially kids who go to public schools?” asks Andy Froncioni, author of the “Westmount Watch” blog (www.westmountwatch.org). Froncioni lives near the arena and has criticized the project on his website.

Campbell defends approaching private schools like Selwyn House to help offset a project cost of $17 million to taxpayers ($20 million will come via grants from the federal and provincial governments). “Why not offset the cost? ... In a way, it’s a service to the citizens, because a significant number of their children go to these schools.” Campbell’s own son is a Selwyn House grad.

Hannaford adds his school would consider hosting a summer hockey program that would benefit the entire community, not only Selwyn House students.

Whether the school commits to funding the new arena remains to be seen, but both the city and school are adamant that no backroom negotiations have occurred. “If there was anything going on, I would know about it,” says Hannaford. “So stay tuned!”