Cash set aside for roof repairs at two Mapleton recreation facilities will likely be diverted to other projects, after council here was advised the repairs are not as urgent as once thought.
On the recommendation of a local contractor, council had budgeted for $30,000 worth of roof repairs to the PMD Arena in Drayton and $35,000 for work on the roof at Maryborough Community Centre in Moorefield. The costs were included in the 2012 capital budget, with $30,000 coming from existing reserves and $35,000 from the tax levy.
However, before proceeding with the roof repairs, staff determined “a second, non-partisan opinion was warranted to confirm areas of concern and the extent of rehabilitation required,” public works director Larry Lynch said in a July 10 report to council.
Garland Canada Inc., a company specializing in roof inspections, was hired to conduct an additional inspection. Thermographic imaging revealed that “even though the flat roofs are a number of years old, they are in very good shape for their age,” said Lynch.
The cost of the infrared thermographic inspection was $1,000 per roof, “which in the final analysis is excellent value,” Lynch stated in his report.
Recognizing there will be a need to do some work on the roofs at some point in the future, Lynch recommended the $30,000 be returned to the roof replacement reserve and the $35,000 raised through tax levy be directed to “other identified 2012 parks projects approved by council.”
However, before the report reached the council table, the federal government released details of a new Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
Nearly $50 million of the $150-million fund is earmarked for projects in Ontario over the next two years. Community and recreational facilities are among the type of infrastructure for which municipal governments may apply for funding.
Under the CIIF program in Ontario applicants must provide a minimum of 50 per cent of the funding for a project, although projects requiring a federal contribution of only 33.3 per cent will be given priority.
Lynch recommended the municipality apply to the program to supplement the funds diverted from the roof replacement project.
That could result in more funds available for already identified projects, such as the replacement of boards around the ice surface at the arena.
“I think we need to look at what are our must-dos before the process even starts,” said councillor Jim Curry.
Mayor Bruce Whale added, “We have identified some of the most essential ones in our budget process.”
Finance director Mike Givens pointed out the deadline for applications to the fund is Aug. 24.
He said staff would prepare a list of projects for council to consider in time for the next council meeting on Aug. 14.
