The operational issues at the Aquatic Centre have impacted the Minisapoy Café.
On Monday, council heard an earful from Wayne Ray, proprietor of the café, about financial losses suffered by the business during the recent Aquatic Centre partial shutdown. The Minisapoy Café is located within the Aquatic Centre, near the entrance.
Ray’s request was for compensation to Minisapoy Café Inc. for the period of the Aquatic Centre’s partial shutdown. The request was for an exemption to rent for the period of the breakdown plus one month thereafter, plus $2,500 per month in recognition of lost revenue.
Ray made the point that revenues had taken a huge hit.
“Our revenue is down 54 per cent since the mechanical breakdown,” Ray told council.
Another bone of contention for Ray was the recent decision by city administration to end “Toonie Tuesdays” and replace it with “2 for 1 Tuesdays” at the aquatic centre.
Ray said that decision was made “with no consultation at all with us.” Total revenue was down $5,300 since that change, he said.
He also pointed out the Minisapoy Café was the only entity in the CUplex “not subsidized directly or indirectly” by the city.
Ray also made the point that if nothing is done there would be no Minisapoy Café in the CUplex, and noted the space was already up for sale right now.
Mayor Ryan Bater said the issue will be referred to city administration. He later told reporters the relationship with Minisapoy Café is guided by contract.
