Ice level at Memorial Gardens.Memorial Gardens is operating at a $1-million dollar deficit for a second straight year.

Chair of Community Services Mark King says the cost in operating has increased every year since 2013.

King says they have no choice but to continue seeking opportunities to host other events. He says there is a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes to make it work.

Mayor Al McDonald says that’s really the cost of doing business when the city operates an arena.

McDonald says he personally isn’t in favour of going that route.

He adds he doesn’t want to see people having to pay for parking at the Gardens either.

McDonald says one thing they can and have looked into is naming rights and more sponsorships.