tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261653352024-03-07T12:14:36.330-08:00Pyramid Recreation Centre ScandalNews and Opinions on St Marys Ontario's White Elephantstmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1157200942290106592006-09-02T08:38:00.000-07:002006-09-02T05:45:15.720-07:00Pyramid Recreation Centre Cost To TaxpayersAt the August 22, 2005 council meeting the St Marys Association for Responsible Town Government presented following estimates for the Pyramid Recreation Centre <br /><br /><strong>$ 1.4 million each year</strong><br />of added expenditure to the ratepayers, made up of: <br /><br />$ 1,000,000 per year net capital cost<br /> - the capital cost will be about $ 1.2 million annually assuming a 5.5% interest rate and no cost overruns<br /> - the Town will collect $ 200,000 per year in donations ($4 million in total donations over the 20 year term of the loan)<br /><br /> $ 400,000 per year operating deficit, based on the Goderich and Aylmer experience <br /><br />$ 1.4 million represents a <strong>20% tax increase</strong> as current tax revenues are about $ 6.9 million.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1157198076616567242006-09-01T07:48:00.000-07:002006-09-02T04:54:36.630-07:00St Marys Association for Responsible Town GovernmentAt the August 22, 2005 council meeting the following reasons were given for forming the St Marys Association for Responsible Town Government and what its role will be:<br /><br />Council’s indifference to the petitions led to a group meeting and a decision to create a ratepayers association. The goal is monitor Council’s performance, review and comment on Council initiatives before they go forward and suggest action plans to Council. The perception the ratepayers have is that their concerns were largely ignored in the Pyramid Centre decision so the association will allow a powerful unified voice. The next council term is four years and as our review of the Municipal Act shows, Council receives a blank cheque book as soon as they are elected. The ratepayers association is an essential check on Council decision making.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156245895999062552006-08-22T07:21:00.000-07:002006-08-22T04:24:56.013-07:00Pyramid Centre's Lack of Community Support<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Ontario Town Council</strong> (Mayor Tony Winter, Councillors David Cunningham, Robert Edney, Margaret Luna, Bill Osbourne, Bruce Symons and Gerry Teahen) wrote:</em><br /><br />A survey that Council commissioned told us that 94% of residents were aware of the recreation centre proposal, with the majority in favour of the expansion.<br /><br /><em><strong><a href="http://stmarysont.250free.com/king.html">Mel King</a></strong> corrected St Marys Council:</em><br /><br />The survey is by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants. <br /><br />On page 13 of their June 2005 report the consultants wrote: <br /><br />"42% of those residents who were aware of the proposal spoke in favour of the expansion in some form or another while 37% were unsure. 22% of the residents who were familar with the proposal did not support the proposed expansion." <br /><br />The 42% in favour in some form or another would include those who just want a second ice pad.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin and John Munro</strong> added:</em><br /><br />Council never had clear mandate from the people and the 1,175 petitions received to date confirm this statement.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156209445991360712006-08-21T18:15:00.000-07:002006-08-21T18:17:26.003-07:00The Pyramid Centre's Financing<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Town Council</strong> wrote:</em><br /><br />We asked an independent accounting firm Deloitte & Touche to take a look at the Town’s finances and obligations. They created a viable financial strategy to pay for the upgrades, which ensures we have money to continue our regular work, move forward with other projects and meet future commitments. Deloitte & Touche also evaluated the cost of the building, the cost to run it, and how to pay for it. The responsible plan they put together was presented to the public on March 9, 2006.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin / John Munro's ratepayer group</strong> wrote in reply:</em><br /><br />Deloitte Touche never recommended that you go forward. Their report solely considered where Council what funds would be required to allow the project to go forward and where the Town might be able to access these funds. The Town had an operating loss of $ 341,000 from the 2005 FIR. All the surplus monies Deloitte Touche identified were used to fund current operations in 2005 and still were not enough to keep the Town from red ink. <br /><br />Town debt payments from the project will require the taxpayers to pay at least $ 1 million per year for 20 years even with current fundraising considered. Aylmer and Goderich data show that the operating loss will be at least $ 400,000 per year more than our current level. Therefore, the total cost of the project to the municipality will be at least $ 1.4 million per year. The Town will raise $ 6.9 million in taxes in 2006 so the tax increase for every year from 2008 onwards will be at least 20% per year. Council has no evidence to the contrary.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156202251253340472006-08-20T16:15:00.000-07:002006-08-21T16:17:31.266-07:00The Pyramid Centre's Lack of Government Grants<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Town Council</strong> wrote:</em><br /><br />Recreation buildings are owned by the Town of St. Marys. It is our responsibility, not the Province’s, to maintain them in a respectable state.<br /><br />In recent years, the province has increased our grants to help with the costs of roads, bridges, water systems, land ambulance and public health services. Increased grants in those critical areas mean we have more capacity to bring our recreation facilities up to modern standards.<br /><br />The Province has also responded to the Town’s need for a cost-effective way to fund this project. The OSIFA program provides financing that is low-cost with a fixed interest rate for long-term. While this is not a grant, it is provincial help that allows us to improve the quality of our public services. These services contribute to a high quality of life and a strong, prosperous economy.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin / John Munro</strong> on behalf of a ratepayer group wrote in reply:</em><br /><br />No municipal government would consider a project of this size without exploring whether grants were available. The other levels of government expect to participate in major infrastructure projects. The SuperBuild and COMRIF programs were specifically designed to help Towns like ours. You dismissed this possibility even when one of your colleagues suggested it.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156200466182613412006-08-19T18:45:00.000-07:002006-08-21T15:47:46.200-07:00Fundraising and the St Marys Pyramid Centre<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Town Council</strong> wrote:</em><br /><br />Volunteers have developed a comprehensive community-driven fundraising campaign that includes local service clubs, organizations, user groups, corporations and individuals. The fundraising committee is working together for the community to create recreational opportunities and strengthen the overall appeal of St. Marys to new and existing residents. By raising money now to support the centre, we are reducing the amount of your tax dollars required.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin and John Munro</strong> on behalf of a ratepayer group wrote in reply:</em><br /><br />A fundraising team needs a chance. They need a target and a receptive community. Council’s approach makes their task much more difficult. Aylmer and Goderich have had no discernable improvement in their economic position following the building of their projects. Both the Galloway and Monteith reports did not link any growth improvement to the project.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156170059877454342006-08-18T07:18:00.000-07:002006-08-21T15:48:53.810-07:00Timing of the Pyramid Centre Project<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Town Council</strong> wrote:</em><br /><br />The various components of the Pyramid Recreation Centre are proceeding all at once in order to achieve significant savings and economies of scale. For example, by twinning the existing arena there will be an estimated 50% savings per ice pad on payroll and utility costs, when compared to a single pad facility. Twin pad arena may also augment revenue streams with special evenets and tournaments. The construction odf a pool in the same location as the two rinks will offset the operating costs associated with the aquatic components. Landscaping and parking lot improvements will also be finalized in the project. It is important to note that the baseball diamonds and soccer fields will remain in their present location.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin / John Munro</strong> on behalf of a ratepayers group replied:</em><br /><br />Council may have received a wonderful price. The problem remains that a great price on a Porsche only works if you can make the payments. The Town can’t afford the payments.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1156187434321680842006-08-17T07:06:00.000-07:002006-08-21T12:13:57.363-07:00The Pyramid Centre's Impact on Other Projects<em>In the August 16, 2006 issue of the St Marys Journal Argus<br /><br /><strong>St Marys Town Council</strong> wrote:</em><br /><br />The Pyramid Recreation Centre project will not impact on Council's ability to move forward with other projects to our community.<br /><br />Currently, we are negotiating with Perth South to acquire land necessary to help attract industry. Purchased land will be funded from reserves and then sold at market rates in parcels that best meet the needs of the individual industry. Land is a solid investment ans a valuable asset within the Town's financial portfolio. Council does not plan to raise taxes to achieve a boundary change and acquire industrial land.<br /><br />Later this year, we will conclude the upgrades to our wells that were required out of the 2003 Walkerton legislation. Our well supply will be fully compliant with modern standards. The total cost of the project is $3.3M. Two-thirds of this cost <br />was paid by the Provincial and Federal governments through the OSTAR program. The Town's share of the project is $1.1M and will be fully paid out of water rates.<br /><br /><em><strong>Andrew Atlin / John Munro's ratepayer group</strong> wrote in reply:</em><br /><br />Frankly, Council has no idea whether they can afford to do any other infrastructure projects. They don’t know whether the recreation project will cost more than they estimated and they don’t know what the final interest rate will be on the loan. <br /><br /> If the interest rate on the complex and operating centre loans goes to 6.5% the Town is out of borrowing capacity. The level of Town debt per household after the project is finished will be double that of any other community in southern <br />Ontario we have looked at. <br /><br /><em>Note: St Marys debt was compared to Chatham, London, Guelph, Aylmer, Stratford, St Thomas and Brantford. The figures can be seen at <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/stmaryspyramid/ad.htm">www.freewebs.com/stmaryspyramid/ad.htm</a> </em>stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1154965781392474492006-08-07T08:43:00.000-07:002006-08-07T08:49:41.403-07:00Inside Stratford / Perth Editorial<em>Richard Roth in this week's <a href="http://www.insidestratfordperth.com/">Inside Stratford / Perth</a> writes in his editorial:</em><br /><br />The only thing I want to note is that my central position is that a town council in a municipality the size of St Marys simply cannot ignore a petition bearing (now) well over 1,100 names. Don (Gibson) makes very good points about public meetings of the past, but none of this explains why, if the public was so well informed, so many people are now clamouring for more information.<br /><br />My understanding is that the Deloitte study is open to question. Perhaps handing out something like this out at a public meeting is a little too much, too late. Can a layperson understand it? At least one of the protest group members is an accountant, I believe, and perhaps this is why the Deloitte report is not being treated by the group as if it arrived carved on two stone tablets. I don't know.<br /><br />I certainly respect those who want a rec complex, but I still feel the protestors have raised some good points, and I believe a petition representing almost as many voters as cast their ballots for the mayor is something that needs to be addressed. This tally is equivalent to the government of Canada being presented with millions of names. If this doesn't represent a groundswell of concern, I don't know what does.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1154530158748259692006-08-02T07:47:00.000-07:002006-08-02T07:49:18.770-07:00In Wild Wild St Marys<em>Andrea Macko in her editorial in the St Marys Journal Argus writes:</em><br /><br />The Pyramid Centre. Will it or won't it be built? Construction has began, but if Andrew Atlin and company has their way, it just may not be. Like it or not, we seemed to be past it once and for all, and now we're back in a quagmire. <br /><br />The showdown is comparable to one of those old Technicolor Westerns, except that Main Street has been replaced by the arena's parking lot and it's difficult to tell who's wearing the black Stetson and who's wearing the white one. You can almost hear the rattlesnakes and see the tumbleweed blowing by as each side sizes each other up and tries to guess at motives and who will draw first. <br /><br />Town councillors are bound by an informal gag order, like kidnapped womenfolk in their calico dresses stashed away at the saloon, while the townspeople search high and low for answers from Town staff, who have provided measured responses through ads and, some would say, silence. Atlin is the rogue, with sparkling spurs and seemingly endless rounds of ammo just waiting to be fired. <br /><br />But the ending may not be Hollywood-perfect. Feelings have been hurt, opinions ignored and lovers of 'The Town Worth Living In' scorned. Room for a sequel? We'll see come election time in November.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1154180251361121202006-07-29T06:34:00.000-07:002006-07-29T06:37:31.373-07:00Inside Stratford / Perth Editorial<em>In an editorial in this week's Inside Stratford / Perth on the St Marys Ontario Pyramid Centre, editor Richard Roth writes:</em><br /><br />"(Andrew Atlin's) group does not oppose the recreation complex for the sake of opposition. It has assembled troubling numbers to show the town is precariously close to going over its provincially approved debt load with this recreation complex. In fact, according to Atlin and others, the municipality can't help but go over the top if it honours the other commitments it has made."<br /><br /><em>Roth continues:</em><br /><br />"The issue is, has the town done its due diligence? Has it looked forward enough? More to the point, why doesn't it pause, take a breath, and explain this situation to its citizenry based on the figures that have come forward? Or is it unable to explain?<br /><br />"As Atlin noted, there are more than 1,000 names on a petition asking council to put the brakes on this complex until some pointed questions are answered. It is not an unreasonable request. In fact, it is a particularly compelling request considering it is backed by almost as many names as votes that were cast in favour of the mayor during the last election. A petition representing that many voters is one that must be taken seriously if 'representative' democracy is to have any meaning at all.<br /><br />"Council needs to have a full and open meeting on this issue, allow citizen input, carry out a sensible debate and then - and only than - can it be morally justified in proceeding with the recreation complex.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1154008613878863202006-07-25T07:53:00.000-07:002006-07-27T06:56:53.890-07:00Opposition to Pyramid Centre Grows<em>Debra van Brenk reports in today's London Free Press:</em><br /><br />'A citizens' group planning to speak to town council tonight says it has amassed 1,000 names -- in this town of about 6,000 -- opposed to the new arena and indoor pool. <br /><br />And if council doesn't heed its concerns and slow down, the group may seek a court injunction, said group leader Andrew Atlin. <br /><br /><em>Van Brenk continues by quoting Andrew Atlin:</em><br /><br />"Clearly the tax burden is going to be onerous," <br /><br />"(It) could bring us considerably to our knees" and leave the community unable to afford road, bridge and waterline repairs. <br /><br />"Nobody's saying the dream isn't a good dream," he said. <br /><br />"The reality is where do we go from here in allowing the community to do those other things?"stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1153521446396300902006-07-21T15:34:00.000-07:002006-07-22T09:49:15.160-07:00Open Letter From Andrew Atlin<em>Published in the St Marys Journal Argus July 19</em><br /><br />Please accept this letter as an open letter to all the residents of the Town of St Marys. We have one last opportunity to challenge the financial merits of the recreation-borrowing bylaw. Council feels that it is in compliance with Ontario Municipal Board borrowing limits and feels that they can go forward in good conscience. However a group of residents is concerned that this compliance is simply a temporary condition.<br /><br />The facts are as follows:<br /><br />Maximum allowable borrowings per the 2006 debt limit from the province: $24.8 million (assuming 7 per cent borrowing rates);<br /><br />Current borrowings per the Town: $3.5 million (includes salt shed debenture in 2005);<br /><br />Amount available to borrow: $21.3 million.<br /><br />How much have we committed to borrow now:<br /> Recreation centre: $14.0 million.<br /> Municipal operation centre: $2.5 million.<br /> Water plant upgrade: $1.1 million.<br /><br />Total new commitments: $17.6 million.<br /><br />So the net position is that right now we have about $3.7 million of borrowing left below our maximum as of today.<br /><br />But what about the other identified needs on Council's list of capital projects:<br /><br />1. Industrial land. The Council has begun to make inquiries to purchase industrial development land off of James Street South. Current estimates are that $5 million should be set aside to accumulate an acceptable amount of acreage. Most business people agree this need is crucial to allow the Town to grow its tax base and develop more jobs.<br /><br />2. Phase II of the water plant upgrade. Originally, Council felt that about $3 million of improvements were needed to meet provincial requirements. Therefore, we can expect about $2 million more to be spent on this project. Water is clearly one Town resource we cannot trifle with:<br /><br />3. Others? The Town will be out of borrowing capacity when these projects are factored in.<br /><br />At the same time, debt servicing will go from about $500,000 per year currently to about $2 million per year when the new commitments are factored in. The Town currently has about $10 million of tax and user fee revenues. That means we will need to realize another $1.5 million of revenue every year - a 15 per cent shortfall - for the next twenty years to maintain the status quo. We know many individuals have pledged support to the project and this commitment will reduce the pressure for the first few years but what happens for the next 15. The succeeding councils will have to choose between reduced services or substantial tax increases and we won't have any room to borrow for essential capital improvements.<br /><br /><em>What can we do?</em><br /><br />I'm part of a group of residents who have engaged a municipal law specialist out of our own pocket. We've already spent money to challenge the Council's process before the town reaches the point of no return. We ask you to forward your letters of concern to our member of provincial parliament, John Wilkinson and to John Maddox, regional director of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs in London. Both of these individuals are the check on a municipality when its financial management is suspect.<br /><br />We suggest you copy Council with your letter to ensure they understand you're concerned with their actions. To date, they have ignored this argument but St Marys is their town too and I believe they may have a change of opinion if they hear from enough of us.<br /><br />However, they may still proceed. We have one last option open to us. We can apply to an Ontario Court to get an injunction to stop digging by July 24, 2006. The problem with this option is that it may cost more than $20,000. Each of the current members of the residents group has committed $200 to the court challenge. We would welcome any contributions up to $200 each to build sufficient funds to file the injunction if necessary. We will return the funds in full if they are not needed.<br /><br /><em>What do we want to see?</em><br /><br />Most of us are indifferent as to whether the project is built. We want an honest debate during the upcoming election campaign to hear whether the project is built and how it is financed. We don't presume to know the overall sentiment concerning the merits of the project but we feel that the majority of residents are against unnecessary tax increases and hasty decision making processes.<br /><br />We will respect the wishes of majority of our residents. If the community elects a slate of candidates who want to go forward immediately after being elected so be it.<br /><br />We have prepared a petition for residents to sign which runs as an ad in the paper twice to gather an indication for the support for delaying construction on the project. We would like people to respond within one week if they support the petition.<br /><br />We will forward the petitions to Council and John Wilkinson's office.<br /><br />If you want more information concerning our argument or want to support the cause please contact me, Andrew Atlin, <em>andrewatlinca @ rogers.com</em>, 519-284-2654 or John Munro, <em>jmunro @ webfinancialsolutions.com</em>, 519-284-4224<br /><br />Yours truly<br /><br />Andrew Atlin<br />St Marys, Ontariostmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1154105090478790002006-07-19T21:40:00.000-07:002006-07-29T05:34:24.343-07:00Greg Sorbara in St Marys OntarioToday, Ontario Minister of Finance Greg Sorbara attended a sod-turning ceremony for St Marys Pyramid Centre. The province is making no contribution to the project and Sorbara later told Donal O'Connor of the Stratford Beacon Herald that Ontario is unlikely to make a contribution once construction gets underway. Through its Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority, the Ontario Government is responsible for making it easy for councils such St Marys to accumulate large amounts of debt.<br /><br />The original Living Life Mission Project called for the province to contribute a third or about $5-million. No provincial program existed then or exists now for funding this kind of project. Just 9 months ago, <a href="http://stmarysarena.blogspot.com/2005/11/st-marys-council-votes-124000-for.html">St Marys Council Voted $124,000 for Architect</a> Garwood-Jones and Hanham in the October 25, 2005 council meeting because Councillor Gerry Teahen said the architect's design was needed in order to get provincial funding, "we can't submit something to the Ministry without the drawings. Until we get that back we can't move any further ahead on this." <br /><br />St Marys Ontario taxpayers will bear the brunt of the cost for the Pyramid Recreation Centre.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1153350100302189882006-07-19T07:57:00.000-07:002006-07-19T16:01:40.310-07:00St Marys Pyramid Project Delay PetitionTo: St MarysTown Council and Ontario Municipal Affairs<br /><br />I ask the Council of St. Marys to delay construction on the Pyramid Project until an independent body confirms the Town can afford the expenditure and the community can have a public discussion and vote whether they want the project to proceed.<br /><br />To sign this petition go to <a href="http://www.petitiononline.com/07182006/petition.html">www.petitiononline.com/07182006</a>stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1153228444223259792006-06-27T11:59:00.000-07:002006-07-18T06:14:58.286-07:00Council Awards TenderBy a vote of 5 to 1 council awarded a tender to Norlon Builders London Ltd to build the Pyramid Center. Councillors Cunningham, Edney, Luna, Teahen and Symons voted for the motion, Councillor Osbourne opposed, Mayor Winter was on vacation in Arizona. <br /><br />The notion of St Marys Council deciding the best contractor to build the pool and the ice rink was not discussed. <a href="http://stmarysarena.blogspot.com/2006/05/separate-contracts-for-pool-and-ice.html">Separate Contracts for Pool and Ice Rink</a> outlines that project architect Bob Prince wanted to present council with bids for each of <br />the major elements of the Pyramid Recreation Centre.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1151698282424610122006-06-22T22:09:00.000-07:002006-06-30T13:11:22.436-07:00TendersThe tenders for the construction of the Pyramid Recreation Centre were announced today. The contractors and their bids were:<br />Norlon Builders (London) $11,672,607<br />Southside Group (London) 12,238,000<br />Melloul-Blamey Construction (Waterloo) 12,290,000<br />Reid & Deleye Contractors (Courtland) 12,417,762<br />K & L Construction (London) 12,502,177<br />M J Dixon Construction (Mississauga) 12,768,310<br />H.I.R.A. Ltd General Contractors (St Thomas) 13,577,101stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1150654301377031932006-06-18T11:07:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:46:54.863-07:00Cunningham Says LLP Opponents Narrow-MindedIn this week's St Marys Independent Jack Coddington writes he thinks 80% of St Marys, Ontario would vote against funding an indoor pool. Councillor Dave Cunningham opened the door to speculation on the extent of opposition to the Living Life Project at a March 28 council meeting.<br /><br />In the April 5 issue of the Journal Argus Jennifer Leslie reported Councillor Cunningham as saying that in his contact with the public, he observed a 50/50 split for and against the Living Life Project. Cunningham went on to say 'People are somewhat narrow-minded and can't see the benefit of the pool'<br /><br />Presumably Cunningham would include among the 'narrow-minded who can't see the benefit of the pool' the consultants St Marys Council hired to study the need and feasibility of a aquatics centre.<br /><br />Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, The JF Group and MacLennon Jaunkalns Miller Architects found in their June 2005 report for St Marys Council that 'there is insufficient market demand to recommend that the Town build an indoor pool'.<br /><br />The findings of the consultants can be read at <a href="http://stopcouncil.001webs.com/mbpool.htm">ca.geocities.com/stopcouncil/mbpool.htm</a>stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1149878087876569322006-06-09T11:29:00.000-07:002006-06-09T11:34:47.886-07:00$6,400 Per HouseholdThere's a December 2004 letter from Herb & Dolores Richmond at <a href="http://pyramid.awardspace.com">pyramid.awardspace.com</a>. Nothing special about the letter but <br />it does emphasize that ordinary St Marys Ontario citizens knew years ago that Councillor Gerry Teahen was on the wrong track with the St Marys Ontario Living Life Project.<br /><br />The letter begins by saying 'We have to deal with our council. They are so one-sided that if they get their way we will never be out of debt with regards to the Living Life Project.' and ends with 'Please do not come to our home expecting a donation for the Living Life Project'<br /><br />Since this letter was written Gerry Teahen has solved the problem of 'coming to homes for donations' by just adding the $16 million cost of the Living Life Project to the town's taxes for the next 20 years.<br /><br />The cost to the St Marys Ontario ratepayers for the Living Life Project in round figures is quite easy to calculate. You divide LLP cost of $16,000,000 by 2500, the number of St Marys households.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1149514499821398252006-06-05T06:30:00.000-07:002006-06-05T06:50:56.346-07:00Too Little Too Late From Bill Osbourne<a href="http://stmarysont.250free.com/queenan.html">J Queenan</a> and <a href="http://stmarysont.250free.com/taylor.html">Jeff Taylor</a> have applauded St Marys Ontario Councillor Bill Osbourne for voting against the Pyramid Rec Centre (Living Life Project) but it should be noted that until recently Osbourne was one of its hardcore supporters. He did not just go along with St Marys Council he wrote opinion articles for St Marys newspapers advocating the LLP.<br /><br />As early as June 9, 2004 he wrote a 'special to the Journal Argus' opinion piece. The article was about 1000 words and had the headline 'Why the CBHOF and Living Life Mission?'<br /><br />He talked about the Living Life Mission Project being special event driven, that it would attract industry, bring in doctors and ended the long piece by quoting LLP Chair Rob Staffen.<br /><br />While its good that Osbourne came to his senses it would have been better if it had happened a lot sooner.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1148737276974820182006-05-27T06:36:00.000-07:002006-05-27T07:00:05.220-07:00New Name for the Living Life Project<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3021/2738/400/pyramid.gif" border="0" alt="St Marys Cement Pyramid Centre" />May 17 St Marys Ontario Council decided that the new name for the Living Life Mission Project would be the Pyramid Recreation Centre.<br /><br />It was not exactly a bold move as the proponents of the Living Life Project have been trying to get people to call it that for the last 18 months. They even came up with this logo.<br /><br />Reading <a href="http://stmarysont.250free.com/rassel.html">Gordon van Rassel's letter</a> in this weeks Journal Argus a more appropriate name might be the Pyramid Financing Scheme Centre.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1148242782215484372006-05-21T16:13:00.000-07:002006-05-21T13:22:25.236-07:00Perth South Outsmarts St MarysYesterday's Stratford Beacon Herald has a feature article on rezoning of land just south of St Marys Arena.<br /><br />When St Marys Council gave the go ahead for the Arena Expansion they made the land south of it, which happens to be in Perth South, a lot more valuable. Last October, Perth South Council anticipated St Marys actions and did the rational thing and rezoned the land to promote development. Now, St Marys is crying foul and appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board.<br /><br />What St Marys should have done is either 1) annex the 120 acres being rezoned before committing to the Arena Expansion project or 2) get Perth South to contribute to the project. As it stands now, not only will St Marys taxpayers be subsidizing Perth South residents who use the new facility but also St Marys will be losing tax revenue to Perth South that new development will generate.<br /><br />The preliminary Ontario Municipal Board hearing to see if St Marys even has a case is June 2.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1153228247066480212006-05-17T09:08:00.000-07:002006-07-18T06:10:47.076-07:00Separate Contracts for Pool and Ice RinkAndrea Macko in the St Marys Journal Argus reports that an ad ran in the Daily Commercial News, a construction trade paper inviting pre-qualification bids from general and sub-contractors to build the recreation centre.<br /><br />The ad calls for specific jobs such as mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, swimming pool system, ice rink slabs and landscaping. By way of explanation project manager Bob Prince said.<br /><br />"You want people who have done ice rinks before ... with a definite expertise in the field"<br /><br />He went on to say the town will make the final decision on who wins the contracts out of pools of eight for each job.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1148741324838535692006-05-17T07:43:00.000-07:002006-05-27T10:08:49.053-07:00Dawson City BankruptA comment on <a href="http://stmarys.blog-city.com/richmond3.htm">Herb and Dolores Richmond's letter to the editor</a> points out a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/north/story/dawson-carrelreport06052004.html">CBC North article</a> on Dawson City's bankruptcy.<br /><br />The article says:<br /><br />"Andre Carrel, Dawson's former financial administrator, says Dawson's problems go back to the late 1990s when the city took on too many expensive projects, including a new swimming pool, cable television system and refurbished recreation centre."<br /><br />Sound familiar?stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26165335.post-1148756002860147602006-05-14T11:46:00.000-07:002006-05-27T11:54:17.673-07:00Ron Bidulka's Incompetent AnalysisWhen St Marys Ontario Council hired Ron Bidulka of Deloitte and Touche they finally found a consultant who would give them costs they liked. Of course, the figures make no sense.<br /><br />Take Ron Bidulka's Net Cost Analysis. Here's the table he presented<br /><br /><table cellspacing="5" border="0"><tr><td>Estimated 'All-In' Facility Cost</td><td colspan="3"><div align="center"><b>$16.0 million</b></div></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3" border="0"><hr /></td></tr><tr><td>Less:</td><td><div align="center"><b>Retrofit of Cadzow</b></div></td><td><div align="center"><b>New Outdoor Pool</b></div></td><td><div align="center"><b>New Indoor Pool</b></div></td></tr><tr><td>Capital expenditures required at existing facilities</td><td><div align="right">$3.35 million</div></td><td><div align="right">$5.1 million</div></td><td><div align="right">$7.1 million</div></td></tr><tr><td>Capital fundraising</td><td><div align="right">$5.0 million</div></td><td><div align="right">$5.0 million</div></td><td><div align="right">$5.0 million</div></td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3"><hr /></td></tr><tr><td>Net Project Cost</td><td><div align="right"><b>$7.65 million</b></div></td><td><div align="right"><b>$5.9 million</b></div></td><td><div align="right"><b>$3.9 million</b></div></td></tr></table><br /><br />That's right Ron Bidulka is saying its more expensive to retrofit Cadzow Park pool for $3.35 million than to build a $7.1 million indoor pool. Why would he subtract the figures from $16-million? That's just incompetent analysis.stmarysarenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08931586586998556284noreply@blogger.com3