Fuchsia Dragon | special to the Fitzhugh
The huge cost of renovations for the Activity Centre has been a hot topic of debate - and the department behind the plan has come up with a new strategy.
Over the next five years, Culture and Recreation plans to undergo a long list of renovations for the arena, aquatic centre, curling rink and multipurpose hall, all of which are showing their age.
The department initially asked Jasper Municipal Council for an $8.1 million budget for 2019 with a loan of $7 million for the renovations in that year.
But after prioritising individual projects and adjusting its plans for the next five years, Culture and Recreation has reduced its budget for next year to $5.2 million, with a smaller loan of $4.4 million.
Town administrators and councillors seem to agree the arena’s ice plant needs to be moved away from the nearby day care.
Despite next year’s saving, the total budget for the next five years is higher than initially proposed by nearly twice the difference – from $13.3 million to $14.8 million.
And the shift-around comes with a new idea – a full recreational services program review.
The $80,000 review would look at the recreation services and facilities in Jasper through public and council consultations. Costs would be analysed and compared to similar programs in other locations.
Mark Fercho, chief administrative officer, said: “By the time we have done that process we will have a clear idea of what we require going forward.”
He said following the review, the council would be better informed to make decisions on recreational services in the town.
For now, Culture and Recreation wants to focus on the $3.4 million ice plant relocation project and ‘critical items’ like replacing the floor in the multipurpose hall and replacing the main mechanical room boilers.
Yvonne McNabb, director of Culture and Rec, said: “The floor buckles if it gets wet. Parts we have been able to put back down – we have had to duct tape the floor together so we don’t have a trip hazard. It has the potential of closing the room down.”
Councillors are now looking at the department’s plan for the next five years and deciding what to approve. Approval for spending is only needed on the 2019 capital budget.
The council can approve spending for an item, remove, bring forward or delay the item, or approve the budget but not the expenditure – postponing specifics for a later date.
Ops tightens belt
It’s coming close to decision time for the council – councillors will have to pass a final Utility Rate Bylaw on January 8 to set new fees.
Rates are destined to go up next year as due to mandatory contracts even Jasper’s ‘keep the lights on’ cost has an increase of $16,109. That number translates into rates going up 0.4%.
The operations department has taken some things off its wish list for next year and cut its projects for next year from $4.2 million to $3.6 million.
But a big expenditure planned for next year is $2.2 million for repairs at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The council would take out a loan for the amount, and pay it back over 25 years at 3.45%.
The first proposed rates for 2019 included all possible utility changes for the year, but $123,000 has been taken out of the equation for now by excluding the Local Improvement Bylaw Levy discussion until a later date.
And councillors are keen to see another change in the proposals.
When Parks Canada announced they were withdrawing their equal funding for the Environmental Stewardship Program, Operations moved things around to try to keep its place.
The Budget proposed to increase revenues from water, sewer, garbage and recycling and take $25,000 a year from each to go towards the Environmental Stewardship salary.
But the municipal councillors did not seem comfortable paying the salary from utility rate income rather than tax.
Mayor Richard Ireland said: “I appreciate the reasoning but utilities are based on a user-pay model and Environmental Stewardship is a community job.
“I’m inclined to take it out to be a tax item rather than a utility. It really does cushion the tax increase but it just doesn’t fit.”
Councillor Rico Damota said he felt “rushed to make a decision of this magnitude”.
“I am concerned about the level and amount of money going towards that position,” he said.
Mark Fercho, chief administrative officer for the town, addressed Damota’s concerns. He suggested taking time to look into the job role and how it could change when Parks is no longer involved.
“If they are fully in the municipality we have to look at what role and duties there might be,” he said. “Can that person affect change in the community?”
The Environmental Stewardship department works with the town on recycling, waste management and energy projects.
The next Regular Meeting of Jasper Municipal Council is on Tuesday, December 18 at 1.30pm, downstairs at the Jasper Library and Cultural Centre.
