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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin 27-85CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO -- L1C3A6 379 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD MAY 6 1985 ADMIN. 27 - 85 SUBJECT: DISPOSITION OF OLD TYRONE HALL (REPORT NUMBER 2) RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That Administrator's report ADMIN. 27 - 85 be received for information; 2. That Administrator's report ADMIN. 83 - 84 be received and that the recommendations be approved. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: At the Council meeting of December 10th 1984, the matter of the disposition of the old Tyrone Hall, report ADMIN. 83 - 84 was referred to staff by resolution #C-767-84. The resolution requested the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare a report on all of the activities, financial and otherwise, of the hall board for the consideration of the General Purpose and Administration Committee. In response to this request, a letter was sent to the Tyrone Hall Board requesting that necessary financial information be provided. I also requested information from the L.O.A. Hall Board. Since the last Council meeting, I have also received several pieces of correspondence from the L.O.A. Hall Board and Tyrone Hall Board, which are provided for Council's information. ADMIN. 27 - 85 -2- On the evening of Tuesday, April 9th 1985, I had an opportunity to sit down with the Tyrone Hall Board to review their financial records with respect to their capital investment in their new hall. Extensive financial information was provided to this office on the donations which had been received towards the construction of the new Tyrone Community Centre. The records further indicate that since the lease of the old hall to the L.O.A. little funds have been spent by the Tyrone Hall Board on the old hall. However, the L.O.A. Hall Board has spent approximately $3,000 since the lease of the hall from the Tyrone Community Centre in 1976:_ At the time of the December 10th 1984 -Council meeting, and indeed the _ General Purpose and Administration Committee meeting of December 3rd, concern was expressed with respect to the construction of the new hall and the financial involvement of the Town. The development of the new Tyrone Hall was in fact a five phase effort. The first phase involved the construction of the new hall itself which cost approximately $140,000. The second phase involved the construction of an addition on the north end of the new hall to provide space within which a kitchen facility was subsequently developed. The cost of this space was approximately $84,000. A third phase involved the actual partitioning of this newly constructed area and the development of kitchen facilities which cost approximately $35,000. The fourth phase involved the development of park facilities, at a. -..cost of approximately $46,000. The final phase involved the development of a playground for approximately $6,000. If all phases of the development of the new Tyrone Hall are to be considered, it is estimated that approximately $311,000 was spent in the development of the facilities. In addition, miscellaneous improvements from 1975 - 1985 totalled $61,000. The initial building of the hall ADMIN. 27 - 85 -3- did not receive any tax dollars from the Town of Newcastle. However, the Town did provide $20,000 through the sale of land in the area towards the construction project. The only other contribution made by the Town was in the amount of $35,000 between phases two and three. This money was provided for the development of the kitchen facilities ($30,000) and the development of the children's playground facilities ($5,000). In summary, it can be said that the total contribution of the Town towards the development of the facilities was valued at $55,000. Senior government grants, such as New Horizons, Community Centres, and Wintario accounted for a substantial portion of the funding. Another major source of funding were the donations received from the McLaughlin Foundation which totalled $85,000. The remaining funds were raised by the hard work of the hall board and its supporters. Their records indicate that labour and materials both were donated towards the development of the facilities. A summary of the expenditures is attached for Council's information. The running of a community hall is an ongoing activity requiring ongoing funding. Tyrone Hall Board has been very active in the f raising of funds for additioanl capital improvements as deemed appropriate by their Board. As of Tuesday, April 9th, the total investments from all sources for the Board was $6,000. In addition there is approximately $2,900 in their current account. It is their intention to utilize such funds for minor capital improvements to their facility and ongoing operating expenses. The attached information concerning the old Tyrone Hall Board provides a summary on Schedule "A" of the capital improvements made to the old hall by the L.O.A. While one could question the payment of insurance as a capital item, it is perhaps fair to say that approximately $3,000 has been spent on capital improvements by the L.O.A. S ADMIN. 27 - 85 -4- Page two of Mr. Strike's March 4th 1985 letter summarizes the activities in the old hall. The pattern of usage indicates that the bulk of activities being held in the building are meetings which relate to the Loyal Orange Association, i.e. fund raising or business meetings. As part of the dialogue on this issue, Tyrone Hall Board offered a new rental or lease proposal to the Orange Lodge Board. A copy o -F this is attached for Council's perusal. On October 29th 1984, Vera Chamberlain on behalf of the L.O.A. Hall Board responded to Rebecca Taylor, Secretary for the Tyrone Community Centre Board. At that time it was indicated that they could not afford to pay $200 per month rent. A public meeting was held on Thursday, February 14th 1985 to see if a solution to the issue could be found. At the end of the meeting, the Tyrone Hall Board and the L.O.A. Hall Board had not reached any accord with respect to the future of the old hall. Staff have the highest regard for both groups. The groups are hard working and community minded. However, the bulk of community activity takes place at the new Tyrone Hall. The pattern of usage at the old hall suggests that primary users are the L.O.A. and as such, the Town should sell the property. Interest has been expressed in the old hall by other individuals and groups in the community, such as the Tyrone Athletic Association. However, in recommending the sale of the property to the L.O.A., staff are trying to minimize the disruption to the community. User groups would not be disrupted in terms of their use of facilities if the hall were sold to the current users. All of which is respectfully submitted, David Johnston, M.C.I.P., Chief Administrative Officer