Guelph City Council will vote on March 31, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. on a proposal to eliminate a 42.5 per cent rental discount for youth groups using the Sleeman Centre, a move intended to reduce the facility’s reliance on taxpayer funding.
The city currently provides a 42.5 per cent subsidy to help make ice time more affordable for youth sports organizations. City officials note that the South End Community Centre is set to open on September 1, 2026, adding two new ice pads and 130 additional hours of prime ice time each week. According to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Colleen Clack-Bush, youth groups that move from the Sleeman Centre to the new facility would continue to receive the 42.5 per cent subsidy, meaning their costs would not increase.
The Guelph Girls Hockey Association has mobilized against the change, arguing that the removal of the discount at the Sleeman Centre represents a 42.5 per cent reduction in accessible ice for youth organizations at that specific location. The association is urging local families to contact their councillors and sign a petition, warning that the policy shift could lead to higher registration fees and limited access to ice for young players.
The City of Guelph estimates that the Sleeman Centre will require $1.6 million in taxpayer support to operate in 2026. Proponents of the change argue that shifting youth bookings will allow the venue to focus more on entertainment events, especially with the Guelph Storm scheduled to host the 2027 Memorial Cup at the arena.
The proposal has seen debate among local officials. On March 4, 2026, the Committee of the Whole voted 7-4 to approve the end of the discount, though councillors Rodrigo Goller and Leanne Caron unsuccessfully attempted to defer the decision during the process.
