New hires will have no tax impact

By Miriam King Bradford Times December 16 2010
The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will be entering a new era, with the opening of a new Library and Culture Centre and a multi-use Leisure Centre next year.
The additional facilities will require a new organizational structure for the Department of Leisure Services, and new staff, according to a report by Director of Leisure Services, Tom Graham.
The report proposes major changes and 12 new hires, to complement the 18 full-time staff positions now in place. It also points out that the $870,000 cost in annual salaries for the 12 new positions will have no impact on taxes.
Not only will part of the salaries be offset by operating revenues from program fees and service charges, the current operating budget already has a built-in capacity to handle the hires. As part of the planning for the Leisure Centre, the Town annually transferred $800,000 from the Operating Budget to Reserves, to help cover capital costs. Now that capital financing is in place for the Leisure Centre, that $800,000 will go back into Operating, to pay the salaries.
Graham asked for pre-budget approval of 3 of the positions – a new Manager of Leisure Facilities, an Aquatic Supervisor and a Fitness Supervisor – at a cost of $239,000, so that the hiring process can begin immediately, with the new positions starting in February-March of 2011.
The new Leisure Centre will need a total of 8 facility operators, once it opens, to operate an estimated 100 hours per week. Four of the current 7 facility operators will move to the Centre, and four additional positions will begin in November 2011. Other new hires in 2011 will include Aquatic Programmer, Fitness Programmer, Membership/Customer Service Co-ordinator, and two Customer Service Representatives.
Councillor James Leduc questioned the need for 8 operators at the new facility. With the twinning of the two ice rinks, he said, “I thought we would not have to staff as many, from an operational point of view.”
“The Operational staff will take care of the entire building. It’s 158,000 sq. ft.,” explained Graham – including the aquatics centre, fitness centre, running track and gym. “It’s not just the two rinks.”
Deputy Mayor Rob Keffer asked for an explanation of the role of the new Manager of Leisure Facilities, especially since the Leisure Centre itself isn’t slated to open until the end of 2011.
Graham said that the position would be phased in – beginning with the new Library and equipment procurement for the Leisure Centre; then adding responsibility for the Bob Fallis Sports Centre midway through the year, “and by the Fall, they’ll take over the entire staff of the recreation facilities.”
Among the changes proposed: the existing Manager of Parks, Facilities and Cemeteries will become “Manager of Parks and Property” with greater emphasis on park development; and the Manager of Recreation will become “Manager of Recreation & Client Services”, with a larger role in IT and customer service.
Council approved the proposed organizational structure, and granted pre-budget approval.