Rideau Lakes first to sign recreation cost sharing agreement with town

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Stacey Roy

EMC News - Access to the Memorial Community Centre's walking track, ice pad and other amenities is worth an extra $50,000 to Rideau Lakes Township which is the first of five neighbouring communities to renew its recreation cost sharing agreement with Smiths Falls. "I think it's fair to both parties," said Rideau Lakes Mayor Ron Holman. "It's a compromise between what Smiths Falls had asked for...and what we can afford to pay."

The agreement, which was formally approved at a special council session in Smiths Falls this week, is a five-year agreement with $10,000 increases for each year of the contract beginning with 2012. Based on the 2011 rate, this means the township will pay a little over $68,000 this year and will continue to grow to $108,000 by 2016 when the contract expires.

"That's marvelous news," said councillor Chris Cummings. It "will bring equity to the whole formula."

Mayor Holman noted the agreement does allow the township to review audited statements on the facility's operation at the end of this year - it's first full year of operation. This will allow the township to assess if the increase is warranted and provide another opportunity to negotiate the agreement if Rideau Lakes feels it necessary.

Mayor Holman said the new recreation facility does help to attract incoming residents to the region, particularly with its walking track.

"I think we should all be proud that we have such a facility in our territory," Mayor Holman said.

Mayor Dennis Staples asked that town staff contact the four remaining communities to set up meetings to negotiate their recreation cost sharing agreement before their 2012 budgets are struck. Rideau Lakes has given the new agreement first and second reading and was waiting for Smiths Falls passing to move forward with third and final reading.

The last recreation cost sharing agreement between the two communities expired in 2010, but negotiations were put on hold until late last year due to the ongoing construction of the new arena.

sroy@perfprint.ca