by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — The Renfrew County School Board is hopeful of cancelling an agreement it had with the former Town of Cobden dating back to 1991.
However, the current council, Whitewater Region, isn’t so sure it’s in the best interests of its residents to allow the agreement to be cancelled.
The reason the agreement’s discussion arose came from a conflict this past summer when two different groups wanted to use the soccer field at Cobden District Public School. One group scheduled use of the field through the school board while the other group scheduled the use through the township office, as per its agreement.
Mary Cahill and Bill Murray from the school board attended this month’s recreation and culture committee meeting to discuss the agreement.
Ms. Cahill said it would be ideal if any groups using the school’s field would register with the board.
Mr. Murray said due to the infrastructure to manage, it would be a benefit to the township to cancel the agreement because it would have no liability, like it does now due to the agreement. It would also mean there would not be groups fighting over who has the right to use the field.
Currently, the township, due to the 1991 agreement, should be doing the maintenance on the playground equipment, he said.
A community group was involved back in 1991 when the agreement was developed, so it could have playground equipment erected and a soccer field created, Ms. Cahill said. The agreement said it can be used by the community outside of school hours. The capital costs were the responsibility of the village and the school group, she continued.
Maintenance on all equipment is the responsibility of the Cobden Community School Association and the village, she added. Ground maintenance was to be paid for by the board, she continued, adding, Cobden was to provide liability insurance.
The board provides the field for free, but those groups who register through the board would have to provide insurance, which is about $108 for eight months, Ms. Cahill said. As for the basketball court and playground, it’s free without purchasing insurance, she added.
“We understand the school (ground) is used as a public park,” she said. “The only conflict is the soccer field.”
Councillor Cathy Regier questioned if the community school group still exists and if the municipality is unique in having an agreement with the board regarding the soccer field.
Councillor Chris Olmstead said he’s not sure if the school group still exists.
“How do we resolve this issue,” he questioned.
Mr. Murray said there are currently two processes to book the field – one through the municipal agreement and the other is through the board office.
However, there is currently a legal document through the municipality, he said.
There is one school where the town looks after the field, which includes maintenance, said Ms. Cahill. However, there are other school sports fields the communities can use, but they are booked through the board, she explained.
Councillor Charlene Jackson said the school should be contacted to see if the school community association still exists, and if so, what they would like to see happen regarding the contract.
“I don’t have an issue with it,” she said. “One group booking is better than having conflicts.”
However, Coun. Olmstead noted the current agreement between the former Village of Cobden and the school board covers more than just the soccer field. It also includes the playground, basketball court, parking, public use on weekends.
“I have to be honest with you, I’m not in favour, at this point in time, of just cancelling the agreement,” he said. “I’d be in favour of looking at the agreement and redoing it, reword, how it is to be booked.
“My concerns for the township is we have no control over the playground,” he added.
Mr. Murray noted if it feels like the township is giving something up, which is a step backwards, then the costs for repair and maintenance to the playground equipment would be the responsibility of the township, which has never been enforced, “but we will, now that we are aware of the agreement.”
Mayor Hal Johnson said it is a step backwards, and since there is only one concern, which is regarding the booking of the soccer field, nothing else needs to be changed.
However, when it was pointed out by Coun. Jackson costs for the maintenance are actually the responsibility of the municipality, Mayor Johnson said, “That wording can be changed too.
“We need to look at this internally, before we look outside,” he added.
Coun. Olmstead questioned if there is an agreement, besides this current one, that allows the public to use the school grounds when school is not in session. He said there are gates that an be locked at the board’s discretion, and he fears that could happen.
“There’s not enough recreational facilities already in Cobden,” he said, adding, “If we end up potentially closing one or not allowing access to the public, that would be the real issue.”
Councillor Dave Mackay noted the Beachburg school grounds are always opened to the pubic, except when school is in.
Coun. Olmstead said staff will find out if the school association still exists and how they feel about the agreement and what should happen. When there are answers, Mr. Murray and Ms. Cahill will be advised.
