Kathryn McLaren presented representing the Cobden Pickleball Club, protesting the fees charged for Pickleball players to use Township facilities.
She said they had approximately 20 members across the Whitewater area.
She thanked Whitewater rink personnel for accommodating them.
“Our seniors like to play during the daylight.” she said, rather than peak evening hours.
She said that the rent increasing from $35 to $73 to use the Cobden Arena Rink, and $50 on the slabs was “outrageous”.
She cited Eganville has charging nothing to players, and Pembroke as charging $5 a person.
“We would like to know what shuffleboard players are paying.” she said.
She asked what Whitewater is providing for seniors to stay active and fit, and why the rent was being raised.
“How can we get our concerns known by the Seniors Task Force, as we were not informed of the Task Force until after its survey.”
Mayor McLaughlin asked for clarification that the rent was raised to bring it into accordance with the Agricultural Council, because their previous rates were “undercutting” them.
Councillor Mackay asked how many people typically come to the events.
McClaren said that typically “ten people” attend.
Councillor Nicholson, who was Chair of the Senior’s Task Force and part of the Westmeath Pickleball Club, asked if the grant of $1000 they had received was ‘not sufficient’ to pay for the arena.
McLaren said that they had to cut back times even with the grant.
Councillor Jackson asked who runs the service in Westmeath, and why the service is only five dollars a head.
CAO Trembley clarified that the organizers run the event in Westmeath, and the Township doesn’t run the programs.
He also pointed out the next intake of the Recreation Grant was September 1st.
“We’re not involved at all in that model.” he said.
The Mayor also clarified to McLaren that the recreation grant was available twice a year, rather than once a year, which McLaren said she was not aware of.
Councillor McLaghlin asked if offpeak hours for community health events could have reduced fees on off-peak hours.
Councillor Olmstead said that one hour of week would cost the Club $1172 for the year, so that the second 1000 grant would cover them.
McLaren said that they were originally doing four hours a week, but had to reduce.
Councillor Olmstead said it was “not up to him” but that they could play an hour a week wiht the amount he suggested.
“And if you reduced the rate, we’d be able to play more often.” she said.
Councillor Nicholson said that he wanted to ‘maximize the funds available for seniors.”
