Path of least resistance

Hillier councillor Steve Graham sells Christmas trees from the former meat plant property in December. The property owner is planning an outdoor rink at the site.

Property owner brings outdoor rink to the heart of Wellington

In January, Wellington’s main street will be host to a brand new outdoor skating rink—weather permitting.

Michael Hymus, who recently purchased the lot that formerly housed the Midtown Meats plant, two doors east of Wharf Street, says the rink will be in honour of his late father, David, who died in September. He had often recalled skating on outdoor rinks in Toronto as a boy.

“My father, to me, was like superman,” says Hymus. “I really admired his commitment to his family.”

Although insurance coverage had previously been a sticking point for the planned rink, Hymus’ insurance broker was able to secure private insurance. In early January, a company from Toronto will be in Wellington, installing the 40’ (12 metres) by 80’ (24 metres) rink.

The Main Street property has already been open for several purposes, first serving as a spot for the Hillier Women’s Institute to sell their apple dumplings during Pumpkinfest, and more recently for Hillier councillor Steven Graham to sell Christmas trees, with a portion of his profit going to the Storehouse food bank.

In the summer, Hymus hopes to fill the lot with vendors, offering a large, seasonal outdoor market with live entertainment on the weekends.

Hymus, who also purchased another property on Maple Street in Wellington, says the work to find ways to make use of the land has been an uphill battle with the municipality.

Part of the difficulty has been getting permits, insurance and proper zoning for the projects he has dreamed up for the two properties, including a commercial centre and a hostel. Instead, he has decided to take the path of least resistance, only taking on projects that don’t require rezoning or costly permits from the County.

“I’m experiencing so many challenges by trying to develop right now,” says Hymus. “I just realized the last thing you want to do is try to change any zoning, because it’s just so difficult… it’s almost like, why bother? One person objects anywhere and suddenly I’m into $30,000 to $40,000 in legal fees trying to get their objection overruled.”

He is looking into bringing another industrial business to the property on Maple Street.

Hymus, who makes a living trading cars between the US and Canada, says business is good, and now is the time to invest in his community. Along with the Wellington properties, he is preparing to open a rotisserie chicken restaurant in Picton called Angry Birds.

This is also in memory of his father, who met his mother in a Swiss Chalet, and who lamented the lack of rotisserie chicken in the County. It was his biggest complaint about the place to which he moved to raise his children.

Hymus says the rink is an investment in the community, and a way to get kids doing something constructive.

“Seeing the kids skate on the rink is going to bring me a great deal of joy,” says Hymus. “I had some kids break into my building two weeks ago. These kids are 15, 16-year-old kids. And I was [once] one of those kids. I got into some mischief. And I think if there was an activity for these kids to do, they wouldn’t be spending time breaking into places.

“If there’s little kids out there that can’t afford skates, I’ll buy them. I’m more than happy to buy children skates.”

Once the rink is open, Hymus hopes to get adults from the village to supervise, and will be seeking out volunteers in the new year.