Lloyd questions NVCA fees, structure

Fitness centre likely shut down for good 

By SHAWN GIILCK Collingwood Enterptise Bulletin Feb 25 2011

COLLINGWOOD — Collingwood council put the 2011 budget under the microscope Wednesday.

There were few big surprises during the day-long number-crunching held at the third floor of the municipal offices at Simcoe and St. Marie streets, but differences of opinion amongst the councillors were plainly developing.

Deputy-mayor Rick Lloyd, who presided over the session, clearly wasn’t happy with a proposed 10% increase for the town portion of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

Lloyd made several pointed inquiries as to how costs could be reduced, including advocating weighted voting for the member municipalities so they could send only one representative with voting power based on population.

“I want more members or votes so I can vote the budget down,” said Lloyd.

He found some support from Councillor Sandy Cunningham who said “as a taxpayer myself, who is retired now, with fixed incomes we keep seeing the cost of government go up by more than the cost of inflation and sooner or later the bubble’s going to burst.”

Wayne Wilson, the chief administrative officer of the NVCA, made a presentation to councillors during Wednesday’s session and agreed the organization needed to be “tight” with its finances -but warned “if you become penny-wise and pound foolish, that’s a problem, too.

“We’re wrestling with the need to be tight,” he said. “It’s very difficult — but it’s easier to look after things now than to fix it later.”

Councillor Dale West weighed in on the issue, reminding Lloyd that the

town didn’t have the power to simply refuse to pay its levy under the Conservation Authority Act.

“I understood we don’t get a choice in paying it,” he said.

Wilson supported that position, saying the “budget becomes a debt owing to the authority.”

“That’s the way the act is set up — your influence is through the board.”

Lloyd also advocated taking another look at the Elvis Festival, which he said should be self-sustaining and “operated like a business.”

As well, he suggested the time had come for the town to consider divesting itself of the grain terminal building.

In a move that shouldn’t surprise anyone, the town looks like it’s about to close the book on the town-owned fitness Centre.

That’s the recommendation of the head of Parks, Recreation and Arts and Culture Marta Proctor.

The building on Napier Street housing the centre, although historic, is now in sad shape. The town’s been contemplating its closure for years but there has never been a consensus to do it.

Proctor told the council it needs to take a close look at major projects such as the refurbishment of Heritage Park, which would cost more than $2 million. Other proposed major projects on the books are the roof over the outdoor ice rink at Central Park and a donation to the YMCA building campaign.

Although long, the meeting also had its share of levity.

Councillor Mike Edwards received the biggest round of applause when he blurted out “I’m a very giving person even though everyone thinks I’m cheap.”

The sessions will continue Friday. The public is welcome to attend