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Sports dome report filled with questions
GREGG CHAMBERLAIN gregg.chamberlain@eap.on.ca
sports dome. “This (REI) does not tie council to any fi- nancial implications at the time,” saidMayor Leroux. Chief Administrator Jean Leduc explained that the REI would assist staff with gath- ering information on what type of equip-
The paperwork studies continue for the proposed sports dome project for Russell Township. One councillor is concerned that themunicipality ismoving along with
the project without a solid financial plan for guidance yet. Coun. Jamie Lau- rin posed several questions during dis- cussion of the sports dome public consul- tation report received during the March 7 council session. Laurin expressed
ment and other items might be needed in a local sports dome based on the public consultation process feedback. That infor- mation would then help with develop- ing a financial plan and budget for the project for council to consider.
Coun. Jamie Laurin posed several questions during discussion of the sports dome public consultation report received during the March 7 council session. Laurin expressed concern about the current lack of concrete financial or budgeting information for the project...
concern about the current lack of concrete financial or budgeting information for the project even as township staff continues to research the proposal. “Right now I don’t know where we’re going to get the money from,” Laurin said. Last month, the Russell KinClub held a public consultation meeting on the sports dome project at the Embrun Community Centre, with more than 100 people, repre- senting community and sports groups and others, offering feedback, comments and critiques on the proposed recreation proj- ect. Council received the 18-page summary report on the consultation process during its Monday session along with a recommenda- tion for township administration to proceed with a Request for Expressions of Interest (REI) on the project. Laurin asked what the REI process meant. Mayor Pierre Leroux said the process does not mean a commitment yet to erecting a
“But only when you get the full report,” Leduc said, adding that he and his staff hoped to have that report ready for council in April. Craig Cullen, public works and environ- mental services director, said that staff is getting free advice on preparing an effective REI from a company which specializes in developing dome projects. He noted that this will help with preparing the financial plan- ning portion of the April report to council. “You do a good expression of interest, you’ll get good prices,” he said. Laurin still expressed concern about the lack of clear financial details so far and said he could not support the recommendation for the REI at present. Coun. André Bris- son asked whether or not local taxpayers might end up paying for the dome project at some point. Leduc explained that the public consul- tation report includes information on the
Mayor Pierre Leroux
Chief administrator Jean Leduc
fundraising plan that the Russell KinClub is developing for the sports dome project, and that there has been discussion about use of township development charge funds to help offset the cost along with applying for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and whatever federal or provincial government support funding may be available. He also noted that the Alexandria sports dome is a financially self-sufficient operation and the goal for the proposed Russell Township
dome is also financial self-sufficiency. Leduc added that the April report to council will cover that issue regarding financing and budgeting for a dome project. Council approved, with Coun. Laurin voting against, receipt of the sports dome public consultation report and the recom- mendation for administration to proceed with an REI as part of its continuing research for a later report to council.
Les maires rencontrent la Chambre de commerce
Le déjeuner desmaires de la Chambre de commerce de Prescott-Russell a eu lieu le jeudi 3mars dernier au Club de golf Casselview à Casselman. Lesmaires desmunicipalités de Russell, Casselman et de La Nation ont discuté de leurs visées au chapitre de l’économie pour la prochaine année, avec les membres de la Chambre. On peut reconnaître ici le maire de La Nation, François St-Amour, lemaire de Russell, Pierre Leroux, la présidente de la Chambre de commerce, Julie Brisson, ainsi que le maire de Casselman, Conrad Lamadeleine. —photo Danic Legault
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