Seventh Meeting of the New Community Centre Advisory Committee 3 rd Floor Committee Room, City Hall May 14 th, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.

Transcription

1 Seventh Meeting of the New Community Centre Advisory Committee 3 rd Floor Committee Room, City Hall May 14 th, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. The following were in attendance: Council: Staff: Members: Mayor Vance Badawey Councillor Gary Bruno Councillor Barbara Butters Councillor Kate Leigh Councillor Bill Steele (Chair) Mary Chiasson Bob Heil Sal Iannello Tom Lannan Paul Peyton Janice Peyton Cecil Vincent Lloyd Anderson Randy Chamberlain Mike Cooper Angie Desmarais Audrey Garrett Rick Huneault Kevin Langerak Mario Sceppacerqua Interested citizens and members of the news media. 1. Call to Order Chair Steele called the meeting to order. 2. Review of Minutes from Meeting of January 30, 2008 The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed.

2 Page 2 of 6 Moved by Mayor Vance Badawey Seconded by Mike Cooper That the January 30 th, 2008 minutes of the New Community Centre Advisory Committee be accepted as written. CARRIED. 3. M.I.I.I. Application (Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative) Results DOPDS Iannello provided an overview of the M.I.I.I. application process and advised that the City did not receive funding through the M.I.I.I. application. 4. Technical Assistance for the RFP Stage DOPDS Iannello advised that the next stage is an RFP for design/build or an RFP for design controlled and tendered by the Municipality. Chair Steele advised that DOPDS Iannello will prepare a report on the RFP process for the committee. 5. Questions/Comments - Public Chair Steele provided an update for the public. A copy is attached to these minutes. Mayor Badawey commented that he hopes this issue can bring the community closer together, as it did when the Port Colborne Area Community Centre was built in Mayor Badawey applauded the citizens in attendance and encouraged them to speak. Jack O Neil suggested that the ball diamonds at West Arena be relocated and a $15M facility be built at the West Arena site. Chair Steele advised that the site selection will depend on the RFP process and on the advice from contractors as the site chosen needs to be compatible for anything that may be added later on. Debbie Walters commented that her son was not able to take an instructor course at the Centennial Pool because it wasn t offered and asked why the committee would want to open a new facility if there is a lack of students registering at the existing pool. Mary Chiasson, Pool Manager stated that for that particular course there weren t enough teens registered to cover the cost of the trainer. Debbie advised that she cannot afford a tax increase. Debbie asked what would happen to the old pool if a new facility was built. Chair Steele advised that the old pool would likely be demolished and the land sold. Pat McDougall stated that he cannot afford an increase in his taxes. Chair Steele said that the cost of the New Community Centre will not be taken from the tax base.

3 Page 3 of 6 Louis Scappilato asked if it would cost $15M for a new complex. He stated that he doesn t want to see an increase in taxes. Chair Steele advised that $15M will cover bringing the current facilities to today s standards and that it would cost at least $30M for a new facility. Bob Daly asked why Mary Chiasson cannot teach courses for teens at the pool. Mary advised that she does not have time to teach. Mary advised that she belongs to an Aquatic Sharing Information Group and has learned that all small communities have the same problem, once they teach the teens receive their training they leave for jobs at places like the Americana or Great Wolfe Lodge. Mary said that with a new larger pool there will be more space and they will be able to accommodate more people at the preferred times (6pm-8pm), and will better accommodate families, the handicapped and seniors. Larry Beauregard stated that it is time to move forward, that newer is better. Bill Summers advised that he was the Chair of the committee that built the East Side Arena. Bill commented that the questionnaire does not consider repairing the existing facilities. Doug Hart advised that he is a strong supporter of minor league sports and that he supports Lester Shoalts proposal to repair the existing facilities for $3M. Doug commented that the high end facilities are faced with closing their pools because of declining revenue. Angie Desmarais asked Doug if Mr. Shoalts has submitted his offer of repairing the existing facilities for $3M to the committee and asked what the $3M offer included. Peggy Salmon stressed the importance of a therapeutic pool for people that suffer from conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. Peggy asked the source of the City s $15M. Special Projects Manager Vincent advised $3.5M special grant from the Province, $5.7M P.C. Hydro net lease payments, P.C. Fibre $800, and $5.1M final lump sum P. C. Hydro. Peggy asked for clarification of the East Side Canal Lands. Chair Steele advised that the East Side Canal Lands are 250 Acres of land at the end of Welland Street. Chair Steele commented that at this time it is not known if the East Side Canal Lands can be built on. A copy of Jack Berkhout s comments is attached. In response to Jack s comment that the new facility could cost $49M, Chair Steele advised that no one on the committee has committed to a $49M facility. Mayor Badawey referred to the Tribune article that stated the project could cost $49M for an enhanced facility. Mayor Badawey reiterated that the committee will only agree to a facility that is affordable.

4 Page 4 of 6 A copy of Pat Scholfield s comments is attached. In response to Pat s comment that the pool is underutilized Mary Chiasson advised that the only area that has a drop in use is with teenagers and public swims. Mary advised that although the public swim numbers aren t ideal many pool programs are filled to capacity, the senior programs are full as well as day fitness classes, baby programs, swimming lessons and evening swims and that only a small number of teens are turned away due to lack of registration. Sandy Traynor commented that she respects the fact that residents do not want their taxes to increase, however there are many children that want to be involved in organized sports and teenagers that need things to do. Sandy said that Port Colborne needs to look ahead and be ready to receive families that want to plan for growth. Derek Cote commented that the multi-use facility is a necessity, no need for a Taj Mahal, we need a twin pad arena, and a pool. Derek commented that Port Colborne is a nice place for people to live out their years but asked people how they could refuse a new facility for the next generation. Scott Skrubbletrang asked what the life expectancy of a new facility is compared to a renovated facility. Chair Steele advised that he would obtain that information and provide it. Greg Ayres asked if a partnership with Welland or Wainfleet has been considered. Chair Steele advised that there have been discussions with Welland at the Mayor s level & levels of the Chairs. Martin VanGool commented that if the children of the retirees in attendance were present they would be in favour of a new facility. Martin advised that he is a long time member of the Golden Puck. Martin advised that the Golden Puck has made over $3000 on each tournament. Martin referred to the $60,000 recently collected at a fundraiser for medical expenses for a Port Colborne citizen, stating that fundraising for a new facility could be just as successful. Domenic Interisano commented that it is difficult to make a decision about the facility because the cost is unknown. Chair Steele advised that once the committee has final figures the information will be given to Council. In response to the heckling in the audience Mayor Badawey stated that the committee has not made any decisions that the public is unaware of and that committee members understand that residents do not want an increase in taxes. Mayor Badawey stated that the committee will attempt to bring a recommendation to Council that maintains the current level of service and is affordable. Mayor Badawey said that when the committee makes a recommendation to Council, it will be well publicized. Mayor Badawey asked

5 Page 5 of 6 who in attendance would be opposed to a new facility if it could be built and maintained without affecting taxes. A copy of Larry Boggio s statement is attached. Larry advised that recently a potential new physician chose Brantford over Port Colborne because she wanted to spend some of her time working in a sports clinic. Jean Comfort asked why the City allowed the arenas to become in such bad shape and said that residents should have a say in how their taxes are spent. Gino Spada commented that whatever is built will come with a deficit and the committee needs to address the inevitable deficit. Chair Steele advised that the committee has the same concern and will present that information when it is available. Adele Overend suggested that the money for a new facility be spent on by-law enforcement and snow removal for seniors rather than a new facility. Adele said that if the Sailors want a new arena they can pay for it themselves. Adele asked how many children play hockey. Chair Steele advised that City Parks and Public Works Superintendent Paul Peyton will provide the number of people that use the arena. Mayor Badawey advised that the budgetary items that Adele referred to are currently in the 2008 budet. Larry Rosnuk commented that he has not decided if he is for or against a new facility and asked for statistics from the committee. Larry said that we need to maintain the Level of Service but need to adjust our lifestyle. Nathan Martine spoke in support of a new facility and advised that he travels to Fort Erie during the summer along with 30 friends to play hockey. He said that he feels that he is not getting any benefit living in Port Colborne and is wasting money in gas having to travel to Fort Erie. Flo McIntyre said that she supports a new facility. Todd Shoalts commented that the facilities are not profit centres, and just because they are new doesn t necessarily mean that they will be cheaper to operate. Todd advised that he agrees with the pool and arenas and adding on later. Todd asked for Operating figures for the pool and arenas. Manager of Strategic Projects Vincent provided the following figures as of May 14, 2008: Centennial Pool Expenses $407,342 Revenue 136,077 Deficit 271,265

6 Page 6 of 6 West Arena Expenses $385,403 Revenue 187,132 Deficit 198,271 Youth Arena Expenses $367,703 Revenue 145,080 Deficit 222,623 Total deficit of $692,159. At this time the public portion of the meeting adjourned. 6. New Business/Correspondence Chair Steele reviewed and circulated correspondence received since the last meeting. It was the consensus of the committee that location must be decided in order to continue with the next steps. Location will be the main item on the agenda for the next meeting. Mayor Badawey stated that the committee must now decide: 1. RFP or not 2. What is affordable without affecting taxes Mayor Badawey said that the committee must stay within the Operating and Capital budget and move forward. Rick Huneault will work out figures to see what can be built without affecting taxes. 7. Next Meeting The next scheduled meeting date for this Committee is June 10, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. 8. Adjourn There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.