By Ken Waddell
Rivers Banner
Ten years in the making and countless numbers of meetings later, the Riverdale Community Recreation Complex plan was officially unveiled to the public on Monday night, March 22. The meeting was scheduled for 7:15 p.m. but with a huge lineup extending a block down the street, it was a few minutes late in starting. An estimated 400 people jammed Rivers Legion Hall. The atmosphere was emotionally-charged as the proposed financial plan was unfolded. An estimated expenditure of $6.5 million is planned with $800,000 each from Province of Manitoba and Western Economic Diversification Fund (federal government), $50,000 from a Community Places grant, $750,000 from RM of Daly, $295,000 from the town’s arena reserve fund, $333,000 from fundraising to date, another $1,472,000 from anticipated donations and fundraising and the $2 million balance to be raised by a special levy. That levy, which will go against every parcel of property in Rivers, can be paid up front at $3,150 or over 15 years at $345 per year.
Because the financing is through a local bylaw, not only was a public hearing required but written submissions were accepted. Up to meeting start time, 64 written objections were received by Town of Rivers Chief Administrative Officer Dennis Higginson. Rules for the meeting were explained by Mayor Al Morken; the actual proposal was explained by Councillors Al Lepp and Tim Gray.
Lepp said, “We tried to keep the building as practical as possible and to salvage as much equipment as we can from our existing facilities. This is not a fancy building. We want to be in it by the fall of 2011.”
Being “in it” will not mean a turn key operation. Lepp said volunteer help will be needed to finish the hall and some parts of the facility, but it is expected the skating and curling surfaces and washrooms would all be finished within the proposed budget and in time for the 2011 season. That said, it will depend on the tender results and many other factors involved in any construction project.
Speaker after speaker came to the microphone, many very supportive, some not so much so. Those objecting to the proposal mostly didn’t object to the project for at least the need of a new rink, but many objected to the location and method of financing, namely the levy.
Donna Smith said, “I don’t know if I can afford this. Why not put it to a vote?”
Council’s response was that they felt that a plebiscite question would be hard to write as there are a number of aspects. They also felt it would further divide the community.
Rick Taillefer said,”I’m thankful for the opportunity that this will be here for my family,” but he also sympathized with those who opposed the project, especially for financial hardship reasons.
Barb Sveistrup, presenting a submission on behalf of her husband Hal who had been hospitalized, gave an impassioned plea to go forward with the project. The Sveistrups have long been supporters of the rink and want a new facility for future generations.
Harold Dyck said, “Building lots are filling up, the financing will never be cheaper, the time has come to move ahead.”
Shelly Foster “learned to skate on an outdoor rink with a warming shack. When we moved here 24 years ago it was partly because of the rinks.” She wants to go ahead with the project.
Byron McMurchy felt the tax burden was unfair.
Harvey Roberds said, “The location is terrible,” and many others questioned why the new facility wouldn’t be placed at the fairgrounds, especially considering the Ag Society had offered the land for $1 and an agreement for use of the rink for fair days.
Michelle Budiwski said,”I do not oppose the complex but I do object to the financing bylaw.”
RM of Daly resident Joe Dolecki presented a lengthy explanation as to why the levy was unfair in that lower-valued properties will pay the same as higher-valued properties. Questions were raised about cost overruns and tender prices, questions council admitted they can’t answer.
Gray said, “If tenders come in too high we will have to re-vist the whole project.”
And so the evening wore on for more than three hours as various points of view were discussed. If a summation is needed it could be said the council has voted to fund the project with a levy and now will have to hold a final vote based on the findings of the public hearing. Most people are in favour of building new facilities—few dispute the need for a new complex. At issue is the location as downtown commercial lots would be used up for recreation purposes. The major objection is how it will be financed. Considering the size of the crowd and the intensity of the emotion in the room the meeting went well.
According to Higginson the process going forward is as follows: there were 79 written objections and 17 verbal objections filed. Each one of those 96 people will be sent a letter this week advising them they have 30 days to file their objection with Manitoba Municipal Board. Depending on the number of objections filed, the Municipal Board may amend the bylaw or they may call another hearing. It will therefore likely be 60 days before town council can consider a third and final reading of this bylaw.
The meeting was recorded by WCG-TV Rivers Channel 12 which they are hopefully will be aired sometime next week but the studio has been having equipment problems so the actual air dates may be delayed. The meeting will be played for two consecutive days at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.