A final agreement still needs to be signed, but it appears East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) and the town will reach a deal to include space for a food bank in the arena addition at Centre 2000.
Executive director Glenyis Betts told council last week the EWCS is willing to accept the town’s offer of a 720 square foot room in the addition.
Betts said the EWCS will raise $42,000 – one third of the total cost of the space, with the remainder covered by a Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) grant – under the following conditions:
– the space include a self-contained washroom with a washtub sink, rather than a vanity sink;
– access be restricted to EWCS staff only;
– a 99-year lease agreement;
– no utility costs for EWCS, (including a private phone line); and
– the town provide snow removal for the food bank.
Mayor Rod Finnie said he does not foresee a problem with the sink and snow removal requests, but he wondered about arena management not having a key to the foodbank.
Betts said EWCS officials have discovered items go missing when outsiders have a key to the food bank. Finnie said the town could change the arrangement if any thefts occur, but he believes arena staff must have a key in case of an emergency.
Finnie also explained the town’s standard practice is to develop 20 year lease agreements, with renewals. He did not commit to EWCS having no utility costs, noting freezers used by the foodbank can use a lot of energy.
“We can discuss that,” Finnie said of utility bills, adding both sides would have to develop a formal agreement with all the details contained therein.
The mayor also said the cost could change if the expansion ends up costing more per square foot that originally expected. Betts said EWCS understands that.
Finnie thanked the group for its cooperation, noting its partnership with the town may have played a role in the town receiving a RInC grant of $662,166. The remainder ($331,084) of the total expansion cost of $993,000 will come from Erin’s hydro proceeds reserves.
Council voted unanimously to proceed with an agreement for the EWCS food bank space. Councillor Ken Chapman was absent.
