The Wheatley Legion could be getting some financial assistance if a motion brought forward by Ward 1 Councillor Lauren Anderson is approved.
At last week’s meeting, Anderson presented a notice of a motion for council to vote on granting about $92,500 from the Strategic Reserve to offset development charges, building permit fees, planning fees, and 2024 and 2025 property taxes for the new Wheatley Legion.
The original Legion building was rendered unsafe by the 2021 gas explosion in downtown Wheatley. The organization has since purchased a new location on Talbot Street West.
In her notice of motion, Anderson notes that if the Legion had been able to rebuild at its original downtown location, it would have been exempt from development charges under the by-law and likely would not have incurred planning fees, while remaining exempt from property taxes.
She also points out that the Legion is still receiving tax bills because the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) does not grant tax exemptions to Legions until their new building is built and occupied.
Anderson’s breakdown of costs includes $67,500 in development charges, $17,000 in building permit fees, $4,900 in planning fees, and $3,100 in property taxes.
If the motion passes at the August 25 meeting, the Strategic Reserve funds would be allocated among the municipality’s various divisions. The motion also proposes that property taxes be covered in 2026 until the MPAC exemption can be applied.
