Recreation prioritized during budget workshops
There was a focus on improving access to recreation during Clearview council’s budget workshops this week.
Staff presented a $22-million budget, which comes with a tax increase of just over 2.4 per cent once estimated school, county and policing costs are factored in.
During the workshops, additional spending was allocated for sports and recreation and council discussed a plan for an increased annual contribution to a parks capital projects reserve to create more recreation opportunities and enhance township facilities. As a result of the budget, residents may see the addition of pickleball and tennis courts, basketball court and frisbee golf.
A significant portion of the seven- hour workshop held over two days saw council doing some soul searching about the Stayner pool.
The aging pool is leaking and needs a new mechanical system. Council’s discussions have ranged from shutting down the pool to building a new indoor pool, with limping along and maintaining access to the pool being the current course of action.
There is currently $150,000 in the 2026 budget, with $32,500 coming from taxation, for the replacement of the mechanical system; security camera monitoring; interior office renovations; lane ropes; deck chairs; water bottle refill station.
Council directed staff to move forward with the mechanical work before or after the upcoming pool season, and report back to council during the first half of 2026, to address options and phases of the pool replacement project, including a redevelopment of the entire property.
Phase 2 of repairs and upgrades are estimated to cost $217,800, not including accessibility requirements. Terry Vachon, director of parks and recreation, told council that his best guess is that it will cost $500,000 to keep the pool open long-term.
Most agreed, that is a large expense considering the pool is only open for two months of the year and runs at a $100,000 deficit each season. Councillor John Broderick asked what it would take to build an indoor pool. Vachon said development charge money will be available in the near future to conduct a feasibility study but consultation for the existing 2018-2028 Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan indicated residents were comfortable with a 25-minute drive to reach a destination facility, such as an indoor pool. Councillor Robert Walker said he would like to see a survey done to see if that is still true, recognizing times have changed.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed budget at the Dec. 8 council meeting, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
With new strong mayor powers, as mandated by the province, the mayor will then present a proposed budget to council on Jan. 8. Council will have 30 days to pass a resolution to amend and the budget, thereby setting the tax rate.
The mayor then has 10 days from the end of the council review period to veto any council amendment. To veto a council amendment, the head of council must provide written documentation of the veto and rationale to each member of council and the municipal clerk on the day of the veto. Within a 15-day period after the head of council’s veto period, council may override the head of council’s veto of a council amendment if two-thirds of all council members vote to override the veto.
Budget highlights:
Parks and recreation
• Capital funding – new projects $872,730 ($130,000 from taxation);
• Capital funding – carry over projects $2,210,000 ($0 from taxation).
Capital improvements
• Stayner sports court – $100,000; • Creemore sports park – $200,000.
Stayner Arena
• Replace chairs with carts in community hall $17,000;
• Replace dressing room flooring $12,000 (taxation).
Creemore Arena
• Painting ceiling beams and wall siding $30,000;
• Battery powered ice resurfacer (2027 estimated delivery) $150,000;
• Dehumidifiers (2) $80,000;
• Replace sound system $25,000 (taxation).
Stayner parks
• Refurbish baseball diamonds $40,000;
• Aluminum bleachers $10,000 (taxation).
Creemore Parks
• Gowan Park bleachers $10,000 (taxation); $115,000 from fundraising.
Library
Construction of the Creemore library branch’s 1,000 square foot addition, funded by development charges in the amount of $930,000, is set to begin in the fall of 2026.
Library CAO Jennifer LaChapelle said the board seeking grants to fund accessible washrooms and is developing a fundraising campaign for things like shelving and maker space equipment such as 3D printers and button makers.
Planning
The development of the Stayner Secondary Plan in the amount of $350,000-$500,000, to be done over 18-24 months.
It was referred to as one of the most significant planning initiatives, looking out 50 years or more,
and a critical component of the development charge early payment project funding and water capacity allocation agreement related to the Klondike Park water servicing project for Stayner.
Roads
Road paving projects (pulverize, add gravel, pave and shouldering) on Concession 6 North Nottwasaga from County Road 91 to 33/34 Sideroad in the amount of $1,225,500; and Concession 10 South Nottwasaga from County Road 91 to County Road 124 in the amount of $ 780,000.
Fire
2014 two-seat utility terrain vehicle (UTV) to be replaced with a four-seat UTV with fire suppression and rescue drop-in unite, at a cost of $50,000, for off-road medical calls
Fire Chief Scott Davison proposed a future discussion about an aerial fire truck, to be funded through development charges, and the replacement of a 2010 pumper truck.
Youth centre
The Clearview Youth Centre (currently in a temporary location until it moves into its new location in the former Stayner Care Centre) is requesting a second part-time staff to extend youth centre hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
