There was an unexpected debate and a subsequent change of plans at Central Manitoulin’s council meeting Thursday night in regards to the temporary fix it was going to do of the west wall of the J.H. Burt Memorial Arena.
The west wall has been cordoned off for some time after it was discovered there was some structural movement that caused a safety concern.
On Tuesday, councillors voted to go ahead with a $40,000 plan to temporarily shore up the west wall to keep it from moving any further in hopes that it would give the community two to three years of further use while they decide the next steps.
The by-law was to be voted on at a council meeting on Thursday, but a late amendment from Coun. Dale Scott sparked a whole new debate. Scott proposed a budget of $150,000 to immediately repair the block wall.
“Spending that kind of money would just be a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Coun. Brian Mitchell said in response to the proposed amendment.
“I’m going to have a tough time supporting the $40,000 too until we get some results. We can’t do anything without engineering studies on that wall.”
Despite being cordoned off, Coun. John Bisaillon. said it is not stopping anyone from using the area right now.
“Time is limited for this building, it’s had more than one conversation,” Bisaillon said.
“It’s really time to start thinking about what you get at the end.”
Scott told those in the room that he disagreed with both of their positions and felt there was a lot of money in the reserve accounts.
But it was the people in the gallery, the community and its fundraisers who really inspired him, he said.
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“The members of this group, and I’ve seen it first-hand, are really an amazing group. They’re dedicated. I believe they could move a mountain if they had to,” Scott said.
“You look at their faces tonight, you look them in the eye and what do you see? I see concern, first of all, but I also see a lot of determination.”
Those in favour of the renovation cited the kids and a need to provide them with something positive to do.
“We know that this is going to cost us money. We know there are avenues. This community has more than proven its ability to support it,” said Mayor Richard Stephens.
“We’re going to need $150,000, and I’m using that as a fair analysis of the cost, I think we have to spend it.”
Stephens said the arena is an integral part of the community as it is not only used in the winter but also for a lot of summer activities.
Another councillor said there would also be added costs with the temporary fix of having to remove the snow and its weight regularly off the roof.
When Stephens put the amendment to a vote, it came down to a tie he would have to break.
The mayor decided to vote for the $150,000 fix.
The decision was met by applause and a standing ovation from those in the gallery.
The amendment called for an immediate start, but nothing firm has been unveiled yet as to how soon repairs can begin.
