STAYNER - Clearview will shop itself to physicians visiting the area in April for the Docs on Ice hockey tournament, a fundraiser hosted by the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital Foundation.  

Council agreed last Monday night that it will pony up $1,500 in sponsorship money to have a promotional booth at the tournament’s welcoming reception and gala reception, both of which are taking place in the tennis bubble at Blue Mountain Resorts.

Municipal officials hope that by touting the area some doctors might choose to return and set up practice.

The full cost for Clearview to have exposure at the tournament, which runs April 8, 9, 10, is $3,500. The township’s Economic Development Committee and the Creemore Medical Centre board have each agreed to spend $1,000 to cover the fee.

The $3,500 also ensures the township a half-page promotional ad in the tournament’s brochure.

Council agreed to take part in the marketing opportunity on the advice of Julie Ellis, Clearview’s communications coordinator.

Ellis told council in a report that Clearview will have an opportunity “to attract the attention of several hundred physicians, enticing them to choose Clearview Township and the Greater Georgian Triangle as a place to set up a practice.”

She said the tournament involves 50 teams consisting of more than 800 physicians and medical students.

Clearview’s involvement is part of a larger doctor recruitment effort that will take place during the weekend and include Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Springwater Township, The Blue Mountains and Meaford – all of which will have recruitment booths of their own at the galas.

Ellis, a member of a regional recruitment committee that’s been struck for the tournament, said Clearview plans to also have a booth at the Stayner Arena, where some of the games will be played.

Information about the area, and why it’s such a great spot to live, will be available at all of the booths, Ellis said.

But not everyone around the Clearview council table last week backed spending the money.

One person in opposition was Ward 1 councillor Doug Measures.

The Nottawa-area representative said he can’t support the tournament for any reason because it’s costing the township money to keep ice in the arena in April.

Another reason for his position, he said, is groups that normally use the arena after the ice is out are being delayed because of the tournament.

As well, Measures said he can’t support the tournament because Clearview’s recreation and culture committee declined use of the arena for the event.

The committee, of which Measure’s is a member, did so because of how the tournament would impact regular arena users and staff. However, council overturned the committee’s decision.  

Measures also questioned how beneficial the tournament will really be in terms of recruiting doctors.

Ward 5 councillor Robert Walker, another member of the recreation and culture committee, also shared Measure’s views and voted not to spend money on the tournament.

As well, he said tournament officials haven’t done a good job making it clear how the municipality’s $3,500 will be used.

“I’m not against recruitment whatsoever. I’m against the lack of information we’ve been getting about the tournament all along,” he said.

Jory Pritchard-Kerr, executive director of the hospital foundation, said the township’s money is being used as a donation towards the cost of the ice time.

She added money raised through the tournament will probably go towards purchasing surgical equipment for the hospital – a decision that’s in the process of being finalized.

An estimated $75,000 is expected to be raised by the tourney through sponsorship fees and registration.