The Town of Innisfail has approved a joint use agreement with Chinook’s Edge School Division that will allow students and members of the public to use each group’s facilities.
The new agreement, which officially commenced on Saturday and will run for a term of five years, has been in the works since earlier this year when town council committed $700,000 for the construction of a new three station gym at Innisfail Jr/Sr High School (IHS).
Town council voted to approve the joint use agreement during the Sept. 26 council meeting.
Under the agreement CESD has agreed to allow residents the use of two schools, IHS and École Innisfail Middle School, and their sports fields.
In turn the town has agreed to allow students and members of the public the use of numerous municipal facilities: the arena, ball fields, tennis courts, walking paths, parks, aquatic centre, public library, outdoor rinks and curling rink.
Each group will be responsible for appointing three members to a committee, officially known as the Innisfail Joint Use Committee, which will be responsible for making decisions with regard to the joint use of the schools and municipal facilities. The facilities will be made available on a no fee or preferred fee basis to maximize the use of the facilities for recreational and community functions.
The committee will feature the CESD superintendent or a designate, the principal of IHS, the principal of IMS, the town’s CAO or a designate, the town’s director of community services and a representative from town council.
The committee has been instructed to meet in order to establish a schedule of use and budget prior to Dec. 1.
