The city says repairs are coming to the Jack Garland Airport

The city says they’re going to have to spend some money to make repairs to Jack Garland Airport.

The cost of the proposed $1.1-million project will be shared with the feds.

North Bay Mayor Al McDonald says it’s necessary electrical upgrading work.

He says the the city’s share is $300,000 to ensure the work is done, but they need to do it to keep the airport up and running.

Ottawa’s share is $800,000 and a funding application is on its way to the federal government.

Still at City Hall, Council is a step away from bringing in new ice rental rates.

If passed in two weeks, the increases would take effect in April of 2018, not in September of this year, as originally proposed.

Managing Director of Community Services John Severino says that’s not the only change.

He says they’re also proposing the number of different ice rental categories be reduced from 8 to 4 and prime time hours would kick in an hour earlier at 4 pm.

Usually, there is an automatic 3 % increase every year, but these rates go beyond that.

Chair of Community Services Councillor Mark King says council has a choice, to either pass on the cost of operating the three city arenas to the users or the taxpayers, and he’s choosing the users.

Interestingly, three members of King’s committee did not support the motion to move the recommendation along for a council vote.

Two of them cited high increases.