During the Monday, September 13, 2021 Town Council meeting councilors voted 6-1 in favor of tabling a request from the Cape Community Ice Rink for approval to initiate fundraising for a Cape Community Arena project and schedule a future workshop.  The community arena was first presented to the Town Council during an August 2 workshop [Article].  In an August 31 letter to Town Manager Matthew Sturgis, Allison McLaughlin, a member of the the Cape Community Arena Fundraising Committee, explained that the non-profit organization was requesting permission from the Town Council to begin fundraising for the Cape Community Arena as it is proposed to be located on Town property.

McLaughlin and Julie Furt, a Board member of the Cape Community Arena, explained that while initial fundraising was essential to determine the project's viability, they acknowledged that the authorization to fundraise did not indicate project approval from the Town Council.  Furt added that the first fundraising goal of $1 million would enable the Board to establish sequencing, begin permitting process, pay deposits, and order materials, "We are at a critical point."

Councilor Penny Jordan suggested incorporating wording that would explicitly state that authorization to fundraise did not imply or guarantee Town Council approval as, "The intended location (of the arena) is on town land which the citizens have not had a chance to weigh in on or have a public hearing on the use of this public land. I get cautious as you develop fundraising materials that people will get the impression that it's a done deal."

Chair Jamie Garvin suggested that a workshop would provide the council better understanding of the project's timeline and more opportunity for community feedback.  This discussion is slated to occur during the October 6 Town Council workshop.