City urged to fund rec centres

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This article was published 13/12/2013 (4323 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Officials from YM-YWCA Winnipeg went to city hall Thursday to make their case for a unique partnership for the construction of three super recreational facilities.

“The proposed facilities we’re talking about will be state-of-the art (recreational) facilities unlike Winnipeg has seen to date,” Kent Patterson, president and CEO of Y Winnipeg, told members of the executive policy committee.

The proposed 2014 city budget includes a $1.75-million grant to the Y, a down payment on a $46.7-million contribution to the construction of the three facilities in the next 10 years.

The partnership concept was announced Nov. 29, when Mayor Sam Katz released the budget.

Winnipeg’s involvement will likely be confirmed if the grant is included when council finalizes the 2014 budget at the Dec. 17 meeting.

The three facilities — to be built in the southwest, northeast and northwest quadrants — have a total estimated construction cost of $140 million.

Katz said the city would contribute one-third of the construction costs of the new facilities, with equal contributions from the Y and the provincial government. However, the provincial government has not yet agreed to participate.

“We think this is the way of the future,” Patterson said. “This is a great relationship that allows the Y to do more than we could if we were on our own and (it) allows the city to do more.”

Patterson said the Y has similar partnerships with 20 municipalities across the country, including Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal.

The Y opened an $18-million, 50,000-square-foot facility in Brandon in October, he said, adding the city contributed $4 million for construction.

Katz had promoted the facilities as a recreational campus, where some civic facilities might also be located, including libraries.

Katz said the city would benefit because it would get new facilities without having to pick up the cost of running or maintaining them.

That has alarmed some members of council and CUPE — the union that represents most civic workers — who fear the city is beginning to divest itself of recreational facilities.

Several community groups were at city hall Thursday to plead with EPC for funding or to comment on the 2014 budget proposals.

Patterson said the $1.75 million would cover the design and initial planning costs associated with the projects, adding the money would not be spent unless the province agrees to participate equally.

“We’re thrilled with our proposal,” Patterson said.

“These facilities will be cornerstones, building a strong health foundation that will benefit generations of Winnipeggers in decades to come.”

Patterson said Winnipeg needs more recreational facilities and the areas it has identified are underserved by the Y now.

The new facilities would include the same amenities that exist in the Y’s current locations: fitness centre and pool. But the aquatics would exceed any of its existing facilities: multiple tanks, lazy rivers, paddling pools, water slides, and hot tubs. They would also have pre-school child care and before- and after-school child care.

Katz and EPC also heard other groups — labour, arts, the heavy construction industry, students — making pitches for funding.

The mayor and his cabinet meet today to finalize the budget package for next week’s council meeting.

EPC has proposed a 2.95 per cent increase in property taxes and total tax-supported spending at $967.8 million.

The EPC budget would force non-essential civic staff to take 3.5 days of unpaid leave next Christmas, cut the number of senior professionals and reduce councillors’ ward allowances.

 

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca