Now that Toronto city councillors have voted to reopen community centres, they've turned their attention to ensuring outdoor ice rinks open before the Christmas holidays.
Opening city rinks a month later than the usual date, Dec. 1, was one of the measures proposed by Mayor David Miller to battle the city's cash crunch.
If the cuts materialize, they'll impact all city rinks, including Nathan Phillips Square.
The annual Cavalcade of Lights, which kicks off in late November and runs through December, will also be affected.
Councillors who oppose the move, which would save the city an estimated $160,000, tried to get the issue heard during Wednesday's city council meeting, but it was voted down.
"It shows that there's a huge disconnection with respect to the mayor and the people of Toronto," Coun. Michael Thompson said.
Despite the delay, Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone says he's confident the rinks will open at the beginning of December.
"City council is likely going to approve the land transfer tax and other revenues," he said.
"Once that happens, I am 100 per cent convinced that city council will not be shutting down the rinks."
Miller has also said the city should be able to open rinks on time this winter if the proposed land transfer tax and vehicle registration fee are approved.
For one resident, winter is already too short for skating without the city keeping rinks closed longer.
"During the summer, you don't really have many chances and opportunity to go to rinks and skate, period," he told CTV News..
"So when the time comes along, you want to take advantage of it."
Councillors will vote on the two controversial taxes on Oct. 22.
If passed, the levies could raise $350 million for the cash-strapped city, which is facing a $575 million budget shortfall next year.
With a report from CTV's Desmond Brown
