Stéphane Villeneuve has dedicated over three years to maintaining an ice rink at Parc Desnoyers in Gatineau, Quebec. However, a disagreement with the city has raised doubts about his future involvement.
Villeneuve, who invested numerous hours last season alone in rink maintenance, has adorned a skate shack near the rink with athlete posters and sponsor advertisements supporting his work under Vision Multisports Outaouais, a non-profit organization.
He highlighted that these sponsorships not only sustain rink upkeep but also fund amenities like hot chocolate for skaters.
“If you visit in winter, you’ll notice the tremendous appreciation,” he conveyed to Radio-Canada in French.
Following a recent meeting with city representatives, Villeneuve recounted that they accused him of breaching city regulations and demanded the shack be cleared and restored to its original state within a week.
“I was displeased,” he expressed. “I do this for the children.”
Approaching Friday Deadline
Villeneuve criticized the city’s initial deadline of October 10 as unreasonable and stated his intention to withdraw if the city remains firm on its demands.
Steven MacKinnon, MP for Gatineau, rallied behind Villeneuve. He expressed deep disappointment on social media over the rink’s jeopardy.
MacKinnon urged a resolution, emphasizing in a Radio-Canada interview the importance of preserving the rink as a symbol of the “Canadian dream.”
“It’s like a dream rink,” MacKinnon elaborated. “People from all walks of life, including famous and aspiring hockey players, cherish playing here. It deserves recognition, not discouragement.”
Councilor Daniel Champagne from Gatineau’s Versant district also seeks a resolution to the deadlock.
“Nobody in Gatineau wants to see this rink close,” he emphasized. “We are striving for a mutually satisfactory solution for the city and our partners at Vision Multisports Outaouais.”
City’s Temporary Reprieve
In an email response, the City of Gatineau acknowledged the contributions of non-profit groups managing 27 rinks but stressed compliance with fire safety and branding standards.
These guidelines prohibit sponsorships in municipal facilities and mandate written approval for any structural alterations.
The city directed Villeneuve to remove posters, cease unauthorized modifications, and assured an assessment of any existing changes.
Recognizing the imminent challenge, the city has extended the deadline for gradual adjustments until the winter of 2026-27.