WHITEWATER REGION — It could be amalgamation is going to happen in another area of Whitewater Region.
Like the fire departments a few years ago, which changed to calling themselves Stations 1 through 5, the recreation department could become one.
Following the recent resignation of Astrolabe Arena manager Jerry McIntyre, as he moved to a new job at the Ma-te-way Centre in Renfrew, and the resignation of three members of the Cobden Recreation Association (which means it could no longer operate as it went down to three members instead of six), community services manager Jordan Durocher, Councillor Chris Olmstead and Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay spoke to the other two arena volunteer groups to see if amalgamating all the arenas into one group would be a possibility.
“I can say in discussions we had between staff, Coun. Olmstead, with the mayor, and Councillor Cathy Regier attending one of the sessions, they were pretty open-minded to working together,” CAO Tremblay said at last night’s recreation committee meeting.
He noted the volunteers with the Cobden Recreation Association will each be sent a letter of thanks. It’s getting harder to get volunteers, and that’s why it was agreed the best move for Cobden is to let the township take over, he explained.
Westmeath District Recreation Association and the Beachburg Recreation Association both sent letters of support agreeing to work with council and staff.
The other two groups will continue to operate as not-for-profit organizations, as they have access to funding for ongoing investments into those communities, he said.
“They also play a vital roll in organizing minor sports, and we do not have the staff resources to do that,” CAO Tremblay stated.
The goal is to ensure the three arenas remain viable, continue to provide services in our community and be community hubs, he continued.
CAO Tremblay said once this is approved by council and one recreation manager is hired, then staff will get health and safety training in all aspects of their jobs.
“This is beneficial to everybody,” he said. “I see this as a positive.”
Since both rec associations have confirmed they are in favour of the relationship, CAO Tremblay said it’s now time to get input from the public.
Three information sessions are scheduled for this Saturday at each of the arenas: 9 a.m. in Cobden; 2 p.m. in Westmeath and 4 p.m. in Beachburg. It’s imperative that if anyone has questions regarding this new approach to operating the arenas in Whitewater Region, they attend at least one of the sessions. Mr. Durocher said the presentation at all three arenas will be similar, there just may be different questions asked.
Following the recreation committee meeting, council passed a lengthy recommendation with 12 requests. Some of the recommendations are that arena operations be undertaken inhouse by the township; that a job description be prepared for a Supervisor, Arenas and Parks; that an Arenas Working Team be established; and that a Recreation Advisory Committee be formed.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin questioned why the Forester Falls Athletic Association wasn’t included in any of the discussions.
CAO Tremblay explained that the main component of this recommendation is the municipality taking over the operation of the three arenas, which it owns. However, people from throughout the Whitewater Region community will be allowed, if they want, to sit on the advisory committee.
The Beachburg and Westmeath rec associations will continue to do programs and fundraisers, he said.
Coun. McLaughlin said that was fine, because he feels volunteers “are very valuable to Whitewater Region” and “we are lucky to have a rec association in Foresters Falls.”
