The decision to accept the recreation agreement with Red Deer County was defeated by council 4-3 Tuesday night.
“I know we’ve been talking about sitting down with Red Deer County for a better arrangement for costs,” said Coun. Danielle Klooster of a $40,000 contribution from the county for operating and maintenance costs associated with the town’s facilities and programs.
“I thought we’d try to do better than $40,000. Do we not want to do further work into this first (before agreeing)?” she asked.
The agreement ensures that county residents have access to town facilities without having to pay any additional costs than what’s set for town residents, the contract states, and it will be renewed yearly for three years.
“We’ve been advised that this is all that’s available to us,” said Mayor Dennis Cooper to Klooster’s query.
Red Deer County’s cost sharing method for inter-municipal recreation agreement is determined through a grant provided annually, the report prepared by Jo-Ann Symington, community services manager, explains.
Ten per cent is given to municipalities with an indoor arena, 10 per cent to municipalities with an indoor pool. With Penhold having one indoor arena, 10 per cent is granted to them. Innisfail is given 20, Red Deer 30 and Bowden 10.
“We can sign the agreement and keep asking for support,” suggested Cooper who said he had spoken to county mayor Jim Wood about $100,000 and said Wood was open to discussion.
“… I’m afraid that if we sign, they’ll close the door,” said Klooster.
“They don’t have to give it to us. I’d rather sign and sit down and then have a dialogue,” said Cooper.
“I’d rather sit down and have an open dialogue,” said Coun. Heather Klein. “…I’m not looking to be confrontational, I want to have open dialogue and give them the reality.”
Councillors Klein, Klooster, Sitter and Dodman voted down the motion to accept the agreement.
Instead, Coun. Klein made the motion to sit down with council members at Red Deer County to discuss costs at the operational and capital end.
