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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin 50-84a C�)CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE 40 TEMPERANCE STREET BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO LiC3A6 TELEPHONE 623-3379 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD JUNE 4 1984 ADMIN. 50 - 84 SUBJECT: Memorial Park Association's request for $15,000 towards their planned'expansion RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. That this report be received; 2. That the request to expand the Memorial Park Hall as described by Mr. Niddery and filed with the Planning Department be approved; 3. That the capital grant request of the Memorial Hall Board for $15,000 be referred to the 1985 budget considerations; and 4. That the Hall Board be advised of Council's actions. BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: At the May 28th 1984 Council meeting, staff were directed by Resolution #C-381-84 to report to the General Purpose and Administration Committee as soon as possible an the proposed addition. Staff were to address financing, architectural drawings, the honouring of building permits and any other concerns. The plans referred to by Mr. Niddery in his presentation have been reviewed and found to be in order by our Chief Building Official. The Chief Building Official has indicated that there is no architects stamp on the plans but that the plans are well drawn clearly indicating the proposed changes. The Chief Building Official is prepared to issue a building permit provided the Town give its approval for the proposed �. expansion to the building. As the Town owns the property it is necessary for the Town to grant approval prior to the issuance of any permit. The total cost of the renovations has been confirmed with the Hall Board officials at $25,000. The Fire Chief has inspected the premises and found that the existing hall is in excellent condition in terms of fire safety and requires only minor fire safety improvements. The Chief Building Official has advised that the existing structure appears to be in relatively good shape. If problems are discovered with the structural stability of the existing building it will be required that such deficiencies be rectified as part of the expansion. For the information of Council members, the original hall was built in the mid to late 1940s. f The recommendation to defer consideration of the financial request until 1985 should in no way reflect on the valuable contribution the Board has made to the Town and its citizens over the past number of years. As Mr. Niddery indicated in his remarks to Council, the Association has over the years contributed in excess of $25,000 towards the improvement of the park. In addition, the Association has donated money to other worthy causes and permitted such other groups as scouts and cubs to use their facilities. The recommendation to defer the matter to the 1985 budget considerations is based on the established policy of the Town to review all such requests when the budget is set. To deviate from this policy would set a precedent that would seriously jeopardize this policy and this portion of the budget considerations. Indeed, other requests this year were deferred to 1985 based on this policy. If the General Purpose and Administration Committee wishes to financially support the $15,000 request this fiscal year, the money would have to be drawn from the Parkland Reserve Fund I which has a current balance of approximately $300,000. While this balance is healthy, it must be remembered that if the Courtice area develops there will be a need to develop a community park in this area. Much of the money to develop such a park will have to be drawn from this account. DSJ:nof Respectfully submitted, David S. Johnston,M.C.I.P. Chief Administrative Officer