Stressing that there were no financial strings attached to the invitation, a four person delegation came before Meaford council on Monday night to request in person what had previously been asked in a letter.
The four are members of the Regional Recreation Facility Steering Committee, and they were requesting that Meaford council appoint one of its members to represent Meaford on that committee.
They explained that the steering committee currently consists of four members of the Owen Sound council, one member of the Georgian Bluffs council, and three members of the Owen Sound YMCA board of directors.
The Municipality of Meaford whose residents make up roughly 10 percent, or 300 members of the Owen Sound YMCA currently has no representation on the steering committee, and the members of the delegation felt that it is important for Meaford to have an active role in the process during the construction of the $38 million recreational facility.
The new facility which has received some $22 million in federal and provincial stimulus grant funding will incorporate a new fitness centre, an eight lane Olympic size swimming pool, and two ice surfaces.
Meaford had previously indicated reluctance to become part of the steering committee fearing that such a move would indicate a willingness to contribute to the project financially, something that the municipality is not in a position to do.
“There are no strings attached,” offered Jim McManaman, chair of the committee, “At some point will finances be discussed? Naturally. But representation on the committee does not require a financial commitment.”
Evelyn Dean who is President of the Owen Sound YMCA board of directors, is also a resident of Meaford.
“Why do we want official representation on this committee?” asked Dean, “As a resident of Meaford I want to have my municipality represented.”
Dean went on to discuss the many benefits that the project will bring to area residents aside from the facility itself. She pointed out that there will be opportunities for local jobs during the construction of the building, and that once complete there will be additional staffing requirements due to the added size and scope of the recreation centre.
Members of council were receptive to the information being provided, though some councillors expressed hesitation to do anything that would imply a financial obligation.
“Perhaps five years down the road,” offered Councillor Harley Greenfield, “I say five years because we currently have a five year plan that will hopefully fix our financial situation. We should be in better shape in five years.”
Greenfield went on to cite a poll that had been run on The Meaford Independent website asking readers if they would support Meaford contributing financially to the construction of the new recreation centre. In that poll 77% of the 74 respondents indicated that they were not in favour of Meaford offering funds.
Councillor Cynthia Lemon was quick to point out that online polls such as the one Greenfield mentioned though interesting, are not necessarily reflective of the views of an entire municipality.
“With all due respect to the editor of that paper, I would question whether there is any level of statistical accuracy with a poll like that,” said Lemon.
Councillor Jim McPherson who had in previous meetings expressed a desire to explore potential public transportation options that would allow more Meaford residents to use the facility, told the delegation that the hesitation of council was strictly financial.
“We as a council certainly endorse the idea,” said McPherson.
Councillor Gerald Shortt who has recently indicated that he is considering running for Mayor in the upcoming municipal election made it very clear that he does not think that any money should flow from Meaford coffers into the project.
“If I want to curl, I pay the fee at the curling club,” began Shortt, “If I want to golf, I pay the feel at the golf club. What would be wrong with your users paying the costs? I think the user should pay.”
Mayor Francis Richardson thanked the members of the delegation and advised that council would consider the request and would bring a resolution to council likely at the next meeting.
McManaman closed his remarks by expressing a desire to have the Municipality of Meaford represented during the construction phase.
“We value Meaford's partnership, and the details can be worked out later,” said McManaman.
