Two community halls to be renovated in 2022
Clearview council held a special meeting Wednesday to advance plans for accessibility renovations at six community halls.
Mayor Doug Measures noted that a lot of work has been done to get to this point in the process and he hoped for a resolution.
The recommendations presented by general manager of parks and recreation Terry Vachon, who noted they are the result of a “diligent process” were supported unanimously, for the most part.
In a nutshell, council agreed to proceed with renovations starting this year with halls in Avening and Sunnidale Corners, because they already have plans in the works. Halls in Duntroon and Brentwood would be renovated in 2023, and then proceeding with halls in Dunedin and Nottawa. It was noted that Dunedin may need further investigation into solutions for the septic system, and council is hoping that volunteers in Nottawa will commit to fundraising if given more time.
Vachon had recommended hall boards commit to a 10 per cent fundraising target but after an in- camera discussion the matter is still up for discussion with volunteers.
Councillor Doug McKechnie would not support the motion, saying he prefers the 10 per cent target.
“It’s too big for me,” he said. “I think we are creating winners and losers amongst the hall boards.”
Councillor Connie Leishman said she didn’t support the motion in camera but would support it in open session, even though she agrees with McKechnie.
“Because I want to get on with it and I want the MOUs for the halls,” she said.
In terms of finances, at the suggestion of treasurer Kelly MacDonald, council agreed to fund the first two renovations from the reserve fund set up for the halls, which is at $1.8 million, and borrow to fund the next four.
Wednesday’s meeting allows staff to go to tender, the results of which will reveal the true costs of the project. Vachon said that if the costs are much higher than anticipated, he will have to come back to council for re-evaluation.
Councillor Robert Walker continues to express concerns about the viability of the halls and was asking for some kind of escape clause. Yet, when McKechnie put put forward a motion that would make the renovations hinge on a 10 per cent fundraising commitment, he couldn’t get a seconder.
The construction period for each hall is expected to be about eight months, with two projects being done simultaneously in each of the three years.
