A cash freeze that threatened to leave a Toronto tradition out in the cold has apparently melted.
Mayor David Miller has agreed to accept an offer from a credit card company to fund earlier openings of the city's 49 public skating rinks, which once promised to be cutback by Toronto's cash crunch.
City Hall had previously announced the ice surfaces wouldn't be opening until January, putting an end to the annual pre-Christmas skates at places like Nathan Phillips Square.
That is until MasterCard stepped up, offering $160,000 to reverse the closures for the month, stopping them before they begin.
"We've been looking for ways to support the city and this seems like a very straightforward way. No strings attached," assured company spokesman Kevin Stanton. "Our employees live here and play here. Our financial institution customers and employees do as well. And what better way to invest in the community than this?"
That 'no strings' policy means there won't even have to be any advertising connected with the money, another reason the city was so willing to accept the largesse.
The mayor admits he's glad to get the funding, but notes it's hardly a long term solution. "I called MasterCard and told them we were very thankful for the offer and would be delighted to accept it," he reveals. "It does illustrate, though, the fundamental problem we face. You can't fund basic public services through charitable donations."
Critics argue Miller was holding the rinks hostage to get approval for controversial new land transfer and vehicle registration taxes, hikes he'll put back in front of City Council on October 22nd. He admits the vote will likely be a squeaker but believes he has enough support to get them passed.
To find out more on the rinks and where the one nearest you is located,
click here.