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DRAYTON – It was a mixed bag of emotions at a public meeting in Mapleton Tuesday evening after approximately 30 residents attended to discuss proposed upgrades to the PMD complex.
While some residents lamented the need for more spaces like the PMD in the township at the meeting, many of the questions sought to clarify details of the project, which would facilitate the construction of a second storey with a running track, washroom, parking and office improvements and a new entrance feature.
Others questioned who the upgrades are being proposed for, a potential user fee increase and whether the township has the capacity and funds to approve such upgrades.
Anticipated to cost between $8 million to $10 million, this public meeting prefaces the township's third attempt at applying for the Infrastructure Canada Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund to fund the project, which can cover 80 per cent of a project up to $10 million.
The project will not impact the PMD's ice or interfere with the new parking lot- which will be paved later this month.
"We have to build for the future," said Mayor Gregg Davidson. "That's why we're looking at building this- for the future. For the people here and for the people that we know are going to be coming."
One of the residents who attended the meeting, Louise Ellis said she'd like to see the township evaluate all available options within the township for facility rentals before investing in a project of this scale- specifically calling out underutilized areas within school spaces.
Speaking from personal experience, Jen VanderMeulen asked why the township should provide the proposed services and not a private group like a church that offers their spaces at more affordable rates.
"A lot of people don't use this space due to the cost and then if you're talking about having this giant room with no division in it, I just don't see it being used," said VanderMeulen.
Barb Driscoll agreed, sharing concerns residents won't be able to afford user fees if they're increased to cover future operation costs.
Project consultant Laurence Cudlip said operation costs will likely not change because the upgrades are intended to make the facility more efficient.
"I don't want it to be a big surprise like what happened in Wingham where all of a sudden they looked at their budget and increased their rates and users fees...to the point that people couldn't afford it and chose not to afford it and then it costs even more," said Driscoll. "So I'm just thinking that's where the homework needs to be done before we dig."
Speaking as both a resident and councillor, Coun. Amanda Reid said she supports the project with grant funding because she'd love to have an option closer to home as it would save her time while allowing her and her family to participate in extracurriculars.
"I think people who are going to (facilities in) the Elmira's, the Listowel's, the Centre Wellington's are going to see that they can only be two minutes from home and drop their kid off and still make it to the next thing they have in a reasonable time or be able to just drop them off and be back at home to get things done and that's a huge thing," said Reid. "I think that's part of the thing we have to think about...because honestly if I didn't have to drive to Fergus, I wouldn't."
According to CAO Manny Baron, a recent survey asking questions about the project has received 170 responses with the top upgrades voted for being a walking track, an indoor pool and a multipurpose court.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
