The municipality of Whitestone is deferring its $250,000 one-time payment to the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre until 2025, or until the project board meets the municipalities requirements.
According to municipal officials, the financial assistance the municipality agreed to provide was conditional on a review of the operating model, projected operating revenue, costs and reserve requirements for the facility being conducted by an independent consultant.
Although the project board provided a financial report conducted by BDO Canada, council wasn’t satisfied.
“The study that they did, didn’t meet our requirements,” said Coun. Joe Lamb during an April 16 council meeting. “I have no problem deferring the $250,000 to next year. I just don’t want it to be so clean as to think (the board) is going to get the $250,000 regardless of whether (they) do a proper study. Do I think they will do another study? I don’t think they will, but if they do, I will gladly give them $250,000.”
Council was split on the matter, as Mayor George Comire and Coun. Janice Bray both voiced concerns about the deferral. Comrie said he was worried about legal ramifications, while Bray didn’t think another study was necessary.
“I saw the report. Yes, there might have been things that could have been expanded on or added but it basically told us they know they are going to have problems, they are going to have overruns and it is going to be expensive,” said Bray. “However, it doesn’t affect the amount of money we pay as a municipality.”
With a 3-1 vote, council approved a motion to withhold funding. Mayor George Comrie voted against the motion, and Coun. Janice Bray abstained.
“I am surprised that none of the other municipalities are talking about this or jumping through hoops, so I am not sure why we are trying to make them jump through hoops,” said Bray.
Construction at the project site, 44 Joseph Street, began in April and is slated to continue throughout the summer.
The Township of The Archipelago, Carling Township, McDougall Township, McKellar Township, the Town of Parry Sound, Seguin Township and the Municipality of Whitestone, as well as the First Nation communities of Wasauksing and Shawanaga, are contributing to the project.
Whitestone had agreed to provide a one-time funding commitment within 30-days of the commencement of construction of the physical building.