The city's budget committee wrapped up its discussions this week, holding to its commitment to not raise taxes in 2021, but don’t expect to see a skate trail at the park anytime soon.
During capital budget talks, council members shot down the $3,180,000 project for Centennial Park, but it didn’t happen without debate.
The trail was to be funded by a $3,150,000 external debenture, with $30,000 coming from the tax levy.
“Because it’s an economic development opportunity, the recommendation of staff that we fund this through capital debenture is, in my mind, a perfect way to proceed,” said Coun. Ted Emond, who noted consultants have recommended a skate trail as a way to “animate” parks.
Coun. Mason Ainsworth noted the city could create many more outdoor recreation opportunities, including rinks, with that amount of money. He pointed out the recently opened Walter Henry Park in west Orillia cost a similar amount.
“You could build an entire park, not just a skate trail,” he said.
“I believe this is about needs and not wants. Focusing on our fiscal responsibility during such a turbulent time is something that’s important to the community, but also should be important to council,” he said. “To be quite honest, I’m shocked that we’re actually even having this discussion.”
Coun. David Campbell also wasn’t ready to back the project.
“I’m elected to represent the people and I have overwhelmingly heard on this, more than anything that has come to council in the two years that I’ve been a councillor, that there is not support for it and, therefore, I will not be supporting it,” he said.
In voicing his support for the skate trail, Mayor Steve Clarke described it as being “one of those visionary items.”
He said councils and council members sometimes disagree on the definition of wants and needs.
“I believe, in Orillia, some of that thinking and a different definition of needs and wants would mean that we would not have a recreation centre right now. It would mean that we’d have 36 acres of derelict brownfield sitting in the middle of our city …” he said, adding the same could be said for Hydro One’s investment in Orillia.
Clarke stressed the need for a winter attraction at the downtown-area park. It’s busy in the warmer months, but its appeal is “all but gone” in winter.
He also took issue with Ainsworth using the example of Walter Henry Park. That park will be used mainly by nearby residents and won’t be as busy in the winter, Clarke said, adding the skate trail would be “something the whole city of Orillia would gravitate to, not just neighbourhoods.”
He also responded to Campbell’s comment about opposition to the skate trail.
“Yes, there will be some opposition to this. Granted, there’s opposition to anything that we do in this community. I would also suggest there is strong support,” he said, noting public feedback on plans for the waterfront redevelopment indicated an appetite for the project.
Ainsworth agreed there is support for it among residents, “but then, when you ask them to pay for it, I think that would be a different story,” he said.
Staff did not recommend approving the project for the 2021 budget, and budget committee ultimately agreed. Emond and councillors Ralph Cipolla and Pat Hehn voted in favour. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie.
All of budget committee’s decisions will be up for ratification at a special council meeting Dec. 7.
Keep an eye on OrilliaMatters for more coverage from this week's capital budget discussions.
