ELORA – Centre Wellington is taking another look at its facility closure schedule, specifically for statutory holidays.
At the March 18 committee of the whole meeting managing director of community services Patricia Newson asked that council adopt a facility closure schedule for the next four years.
“This traditionally has been brought to council year after year and we would like to take the specific dates off and just list the holidays as Good Friday or Christmas Day,” Newson said.
She added council can still make changes to the schedule if the situation should arise.
“Our hope here is to expedite the process by doing it one time for the next four years,” Newson said.
The Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus would be closed on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
The Elora Community Centre would be closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, August civic holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Sunday, Thanksgiving Monday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Victoria Park Seniors Centre in Fergus would be closed New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, August civic holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Sunday, Thanksgiving Monday, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve.
However, councillor Bob Foster said he would like to take a look at facility closures, specifically on Boxing Day.
“What I’m asking for is a broad discussion about what recreation services ought to be provided on statutory holidays,” he said. “I’ve had a number of people ask me as their councillor why are some of our facilities closed.
“I’ve had hockey coaches tell me ‘I’d like an hour of ice time and the place is closed’ and then users of the weight room ask me ‘why is this place closed?’”
Newson said the pools are open on statutory holidays like Canada Day and the civic holiday because participation has indicated that the facilities will be used.
“Staff have indicated to me that the cost benefit of opening the other days has not been beneficial so they have traditionally been closed on those days,” she said.
“During the Christmas break there are a number of days … the kids are off school where free skates and public swims are added to our schedule to give the kids a lot of things to do … just not on Christmas Day and Boxing Day when typically our staff are off and people are spending that time with family.”
Councillor Ian MacRae agreed.
“Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the only times during the year when you have two back-to-back stat holidays when families really have that time to be together,” MacRae said.
“Personally I’d prefer that we stay closed for those two days to allow staff to be able to be with families…”
Foster said he has yet to see data that proves community members don’t want to use the facilities on statutory holidays.
“I understand we’re open on some of the days when the children are off but…recreation is something people want to do on some of their holidays,” Foster said.
“I don’t see why we couldn’t be open for at least part of the day on Boxing Day.”
CAO Andy Goldie said a lot of data is based on requests from the community.
“We have not had a substantial amount of requests for activities on Boxing Day or some of the other statutory holidays,” Goldie said.
“To run the entire sportsplex or the Elora Community Centre for a few hours… is very costly and … the amount of time we’d have to have staff there checking equipment, doing … certain maintenance as well as security … becomes very cost prohibitive.”
Foster put forward a motion to refer the facility closure schedule to the Community Services Advisory Committee for a review focused on opening the Elora Community Centre, Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex and Victoria Park Seniors Centre on holidays.
The closure schedule presented on March 18 will be in effect until the end of May.
“I’m opposed to [opening on holidays],” Linton said. “I think we have to do whatever we can to protect staff and make sure that we’re encouraging balance of life and I think these stat holidays are important for all staff so I’ll be voting against it.”
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said he wouldn’t want to work on statutory holidays and he wouldn’t want his staff to work on those days.
“These are stat holidays; I would hate to use up staff time when we’re trying to keep it down,” he said.
The motion to refer the matter to the committee passed 4-3, with Linton, VanLeeuwen and councillor Neil Dunsmore opposed.
