Future of Verner Municipal Building, More Outdoor Rinks & Pickleball Court
West Nipissing Outlines Capital Budget Priorities.
Last week, West Nipissing council met to discuss the capital budget for 2024.
Closing the Verner Municipal Building?
One of the most interesting conversations occurred when council was discussing the future of the Verner municipal building. Council was told that the building will require extensive work in the coming years. Staff told council that $315,000 was needed just to address short term safety concerns at the building. They were also informed that approximately $2 million will be needed to address all the issues at this building in the coming years. Mayor Kathleen Thorne-Rochon advised that council will need to have further discussion on this project to decide if this building is worth maintaining long-term. Thorne-Rochon first asked if there were other municipal buildings in Verner that could replace this building. Then she opined “It’s a whole lot of money to invest short term if the building is not viable long term.”
CAO, Jay Barbeau advised council that they can have the conversation on keeping this building long term but stressed such a decision could upset Verner residents. He stated “that’s a much bigger thing that will create a panic if we start having that conversation but its a council decision.”
This obviously would be a contentious issue as just a few months ago Verner residents who routinely feel neglected by city hall were advocating for the city to reopen a municipal office in Verner. Hearing that instead, their only municipal building is now on the chopping block will cause concern.
New Cache Bay Outdoor Rink
After council approved a $1.1 million outdoor rink in Field last year ($450,000 over budget), they have decided to build another skating rink. Last year council budgeted $137,000 for a brand new rink in Cache Bay but tenders came back at $315,000. Council declined to move ahead at those costs. Staff noted that repairs of approximately $4,500 for new boards and fixing the pavement would be done in 2023 in order to allow the rink to continue operating.
This time, council is hoping to find a contractor who will meet in the middle and are allocating $205,000 to once again build a brand new rink.
Side note: I frequently attended the Verner outdoor rink last year and it appeared like one of the city’s most used rinks. The Verner rink has no boards or dedicated surface. Snowbanks are packed to create boards in the arena parking lot.
New Pickleball Court
Staff has allocated $50,000 to resurface part of the Sturgeon Falls tennis courts and convert it to 4 smaller pickleball courts. This was after the local pickleball club made a presentation to council last month and asked for funding.
Although the pickleball club pointed out that no one seems to use the existing tennis facilities, Councillor Kris Rivard proposed that the city consider redeveloping the whole tennis facilities. Council had a lengthy conversation on the topic and most councillors seemed opposed to spending municipal funds on a single use sport facility.
Councillor Daniel Gagne pointed out that in the past, community groups have fundraised for a portion of such projects. He pointed out the Cache Bay and Verner splash pads which were built with 50% funds raised in the community matched by the city.
Councillors seemed to agree that they did not want to play favoritism on community groups. One suggestion was made that this group be required to raise a certain portion of funds before receiving a commitment from the municipality. No firm decision was made.
Road Projects & Public Works
By far the biggest capital project planned for next year is the rebuilding of the Eugene Road bridge. Council was advised that this project is now estimated to cost $2 million. This is a sharp increase from the $985,000 that was estimated for this project just last year. Other substantial road projects include $513,000 to restore King Street (from Ethel to Market st).
$1.6 million is being invested in West Nipissing’s Public Works Fleet. The largest item being a new grader being purchased for $581,600.
$20,000 is once again being allocated to West Nipissing’s beautification projects. $20,000 is tentatively being allocated to CANO (Conseil des Arts de Nipissing Ouest) after this group made a request for funding last month. Council will discuss this further in December. Lastly, $10,000 is being given to each of the new committees being formed this year (Youth Advisory Committee & Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee).
The 2024 Capital Budget Document can be viewed here. The first 2024 Capital Budget Council meeting can be viewed here.
Summary of the first 2024 Operating Budget Meeting can be viewed here.
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