Wellington North council has approved the purchase of a new ice resurfacer for the Arthur arena.
The approval on Monday evening follows a recommendation from the township’s recreation committee to purchase a 2012 Olympia from Resurfice Corporation of Elmira for $75,040, with the amount being drawn from reserves.
Councillor Andy Lennox, head of the township’s finance committee, opposed the purchase of a new machine, opting instead to consider buying a refurbished machine for about $41,000.
The current ice resurfacer has had mechanical difficulties and the recreation committee presented several options for council consideration.
“It’s nice to have some options to look at,” Lennox said. “We need to consider operational costs and financing costs. From a financial perspective the reconditioned machine was better value.”
Councillor Sherry Burke, chair of the recreation committee, said concern was raised about purchasing the reconditioned machine. She said the committee hopes to recoup some of the costs of purchasing the new machine from reserves through sponsorships and advertising.
The cost to purchase the new machine would come from the recreation reserve which currently stands at $207,784.
“We feel a new machine is the right choice because some times the refurbished machines – people are getting rid of them for a reason,” Burke said. “The Olympia in Arthur has been trouble for many years.”
Burke’s view was supported by councillor Mark Goetz who voted in favor of the new purchase in a 2-1 vote.
Temporary CBO named
Also on Monday night, Wellington North council named building inspector Patty Wright the new, acting chief building official (CBO).
“Building inspector Patty Wright is now qualified to perform all the duties and responsibilities of a chief building official,” a report to council stated.
Wright is to assume the duties while CBO Darren Jones is away from work from Feb. 23 to March 12. The temporary position will not include additional compensation for performance of the CBO duties.
