Woolwich rink allowed to stay after discussion at council
Posted May 28, 2026 03:09:49 PM.
Last Updated May 28, 2026 03:57:54 PM.
An ice rink in Woolwich will be allowed to stay after a discussion in council chambers this week.
The building is located at 955 Sawmill Rd. in Woolwich Township. Before renovations, it was used as a storage space for hay and farming tools.
The owners converted the building into an indoor ice rink for the winter, but they did so before attempting to change the zoning of the land where it sits.
This caused some hesitancy from Woolwich councillors who worried that allowing the rink to stand, despite the improper way in which the owners applied for a zoning change, would set a precedent for future development.
“The decision lies on the precedent that we’re setting,” said Councillor Kayla Grant. “We’ve had consistent discussions about our fears of setting a precedent, so for me, I really struggle with how we seem somewhat cavalier about setting this precedent.”
Councillors were also concerned that, even if they decided to deny this zoning change, the owners could apply to have that decision overturned through the Ontario Land Tribunal.
“I don’t like it either, but I’m not in a position to tell them, now that they’ve gone through the process, that we won’t approve it,” said Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz.
The zoning change passed, and the rink will now be allowed to operate privately during the winter months.
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