Highlights of the Dec. 14 meeting
Council refuses to take over Aquaplex
At the Sept. 14, 2015 council meeting, Di Halladay, chair of the Sundre and District Aquatic Society, made a public address to council and provided the Aquaplex's financial and operational summary to that point. She said the society was struggling financially to maintain the indoor pool and fitness facility for a number of reasons. Although there is a strong volunteer base within the organization that is working many hours, she expressed concern about the potential for volunteer burnout and asked town officials to take over management of the facility.
Administration recommended that council should focus the town's resources on maximizing participation, facility utilization and improvements on the existing town-owned facilities as taking over the ownership and/or management of the Aquaplex would require a significant increase in resources.
Although Mayor Terry Leslie had previously informed the society the town was in no position to take over the facility, council had not officially approved the decision and so carried a motion during its Dec. 14 meeting not to take over ownership or management of the facility.
Sundre Activity Centre to be used for storage
Administration staff informed council an architect hired to inspect the Sundre Activity Centre said the structure is not a good building. It would be better used for storage "for the rest of its life, which he (the architect) didn't think was actually going to be that long because of the issues with the structure of the roof," said Angie Lucas, director of planning and operational services.
"We don't want any people in there."
The recommended motion was two-pronged ó to rescind two motions, one that directed administration to make available the activity centre to existing groups through rental arrangements, and the second that dealt with rental rates for the activity and community centres. The second part of the motion was for council to accept administration's recommendation to use the activity centre for the purpose of storage of town-owned goods and equipment only.
"When we present something to the public, let's not have a meeting there," said Coun. Paul Isaac.
The last public session, which was a presentation about the town's draft Vision 2030, had been held on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
Council went on to carry the recommended motion.
