Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre is saying we don’t to stag and doe rentals at municipality-owned community centres. From now on, the venues won’t be available for this kind of pre-wedding event.
Part of the reason is past experience. “Community centres have been left in poor condition and have experienced damages after stag and does”, says Director of Community Services, Scott Mairs. “Renters are expected to leave the community centre the way they found it,” adds Mairs.
The ban on stag and does was proposed by the Community Services Advisory Committee last fall, and supported by a vote of council at its January 16th meeting.
Mairs told council that as far back as 10 years ago, there was a push by the OPP for municipalities to stay away from stag and does. “There were just too many challenges, too many issues, problems, regulations that need to be followed that were not being followed. It puts us in a very awkward situation,” Mairs told council.
Among the challenges with these events, is compliance with regulations set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. “Over time, meeting the requirements have become a burden administratively and from a staffing perspective. In the end, we as the venue are at a higher risk for these events and in consultation with our Community Services Advisory Committee, we have opted out of making our spaces available for this type of event,” says Mairs.
In 2024, there were four stag and doe rentals at Middlesex Centre community centres which brought in just und $4 thousand in rental fees.
The ban impacts community centres in Bryanston, Coldstream, Delaware, Komoka and Ilderton. In the past, the events were most often held in Delaware, Komoka and Ilderton.
“Stag and does that were booked with Middlesex Centre prior to January 1, 2025, that are taking place past January 1, 2025, are permitted to take place. As of January 1, 2025, we are no longer booking stag and does,” says Mairs.
Other types of events are not being looked at by the municipality for similar restrictions. “Wedding receptions and showers are still permitted to take place in Middlesex Centre facilities,” says Mairs.
