county looking to solve arena concession stand issue

Norfolk County is looking for ways to ensure refreshments are available to those who visit municipally-run arenas.

County councilors on Tuesday voted in favor of issuing a request for proposals to have a private company manage and operate vending machines at its five arenas.

They also voted in favor of a suggestion from Mayor Amy Martin to issue a call for submissions to determine if minor sports or community groups are interested in operating concession stands.

“Right now, this (resolution) calls for us to issue a request for proposals for the management and operation of concession services,” Martin said of a county staff recommendation presented to councilors on Tuesday. “I would like that to be a call for submissions because we don’t need to make it so rigorous that community groups can’t participate.”

Martin spoke in favor of a flexible plan that would give priority to local groups.

County staff could work with community groups to set up a schedule to manage concessions on days or weekends when they are running a tournament or special event. In addition, county staff with the help of the Brant County Health Unit, could come up with a roster of food trucks that could operate outside arenas when needed.

The goal is to help out local groups and have a back-up plan, Martin said.

Concession stands at arenas in Norfolk and elsewhere were shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many have not re-opened.

However, a report prepared by county staff say the problem with concession stands at municipally-owned facilities goes well beyond the pandemic.

Norfolk has struggled with the issue for more than 10 years as have other rural communities. According to the report, it’s difficult to make money, especially in rural communities where arenas typically feature one ice rink.

Arena usage is down, there has been an increase in other options including fast food outlets and there have been changes in dietary habits.

Many municipalities have found that operating concession stands is a revenue-losing exercise. While some municipalities accept the fact that they will lose money others have turned to the private sector or community groups to run the concessions.

Since 2011, there have been nine operators of concession services in the five Norfolk County arenas. However, none of the nine operators finished the term of their contract at any of the five arenas.

The problems of operating concessions stands was highlighted by Norfolk CAO Al Meneses who has experience at other municipalities.

“This is one of the issues that made my hair grey,” Meneses said. “There is always a desire to have concessions and the idea that you can make money off of it.

“But in every municipality that I’ve been in, unless you have a facility that is busy day and night seven days a week, it is very difficult to make a profit.”

Meneses said municipalities have tried to do it on their own and found that it is a loss leader.

The idea now is to test the market and look at some options, Meneses said.

The county could end up with a hybrid model that includes vending machines, food trucks and community groups, Meneses said.

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