What exactly to do with Clearville Park has been deferred to another day.
Council was set to consider a report recommending that the municipally owned park transition to a full cost recovery business model on Monday. The report also outlined two alternative options for council’s consideration, divesting the property or retaining the current or reduced fee structure.
Councillor Anthony Ceccacci asked to defer the motion, wanting administration to come back with a report with options and recommendations that prioritize critical infrastructure and the operational needs of the park, identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, explore creative revenue-generating, partnership and investment opportunities, and provide council with sustainable options to support the long-term viability of Clearville Park.
“I think that we have the potential to look at that asset and come up with a more creative approach than we have on the floor,” said Ceccacci. “So, we can ensure it has long term sustainability and look at phasing in the increases over a longer duration as well as limiting some of the capital investments to make it more affordable.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff echoed Ceccacci’s sentiments.
“It’s a wonderful park, and I think that with the right investment and the everybody looking at it in a creative way I think we can make it even better,” said Canniff.
According to the motion, the park currently has an estimated $4.5 million in capital investment required to renew park infrastructure over the next ten years. This is compared to “to a projected $950,000 in the Clearville Park Lifecycle Reserve over the same period, excluding inflation. This reserve is funded through surplus revenues remaining after operating costs are covered.”
Council voted unanimously for administration to provide a report but no date has been determined for it to be presented to council.