Bashaw town council wants to discuss a proposed arena management and maintenance agreement with the groups involved before it is signed. The idea was debated at the Dec. 11 regular meeting of council.
Councillors read a proposed management and maintenance agreement for the local arena; at a previous meeting councillors instructed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Theresa Fuller to prepare an agreement after both Bashaw Minor Hockey and the Bashaw Skating Club voiced interest in taking on the arena’s operations.
Fuller stated the draft agreement was discussed with the Town of Bashaw’s legal counsel based on a six month term; however, it was mentioned at the council meeting a one year may also be considered.
Bashaw town council had heard several times at previous meetings about the cost in money and staff time to the municipality to operate the arena. It’s not unusual for municipalities to contract or lease out recreation facility management to non-profit entities such as agricultural societies or other groups; several other municipalities in the ECA Review coverage area already do it.
Coun. Cindy Orom asked if the groups wishing to take on the arena agreement will have a chance to review it and perhaps make changes before they’re expected to sign it. Fuller answered that would be up to councillors.
Fuller suggested that when the Town of Bashaw meets with user groups to discuss the proposed agreement at least one town councillor should be present to answer questions.
The CAO also pointed out nothing in the draft agreement is written in stone.
At this point the discussion rolled around to the question of how the user groups would find staff to work at the arena with some councillors asking for reassurance the taxpayer’s property would be handed over to people with the proper training; councillors discussed qualifications for many of the duties expected at the arena, including ice-making.
It was also mentioned there are levels of certification for some of these jobs and training courses available for some certification.
Public Works Foreman Rick Schmidt was in attendance and noted that the Town of Bashaw would still be in charge of a few things at the arena even if a maintenance and management agreement was signed with an outside party; he named maintenance of the ice-making plant as one.
Coun. Kyle McIntosh asked how pre-existing agreements with other organizations for arena use would be handled. He specifically named the local schools, which have agreements in place to use certain Town of Bashaw recreational facilities.
The CAO responded that pre-existing agreements should be honoured and that those details should be included in the draft agreement. The CAO also noted that the draft agreement will be sent to arena stakeholders.
Fuller noted that the user groups looking to take over the arena are currently looking into the best type of organization to run the arena, including a non-profit society status.
The CAO noted that she will contact the user groups and find a date that those groups can meet with town council to discuss the draft agreement. Fuller added she’ll let councillors know what date that is.
It was mentioned at a previous meeting that if an agreement is signed and user groups take over the arena the Town of Bashaw would assist that organization for a period as it becomes accustomed to its new responsibility.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
