Moment with the Mayor: First Steps Towards the West Central Community Centre

Hi Everyone:

Last week, Council made its first decision toward the development of the West Central Community Centre (WCCC), known by many as Phase 2. Utilizing the Kindersley Recreation and Culture Building Fund, a charitable account first created to build the West Central Events Centre in the 1990’s, Council supports the development of an arm’s length fundraising group dedicated to the WCCC. This decision is in keeping with recommendations outlined by the firm Group 2 in its Phase 2 Needs and Operational Assessment and community workshops. There are several things to note:

1.       The WCCC fundraising group is intended to be citizen-driven with financial responsibility for the fund granted to any qualified member of the group with the appropriate accounting or financial background.

2.       While Council has not yet determined which of the building options to proceed with, we have to start raising money. It is possible that the project will take between 3 and 10 years to complete, and there will be changes, including changes to Council. Regardless of where we are today, we have to have an eye on the future and work towards being financially ready to build a facility that meets the needs of Kindersley.

3.       Funds generated from prior fundraising efforts toward the Multi-Use Facility, such as the Leaf Your Legacy Campaign and the annual Trip of the Month Lotto, remain in reserve until such time as Council authorizes them to be spent toward the WCCC.

A this point, the total amount to be raised and the final design of the WCCC are a little like moving targets. The Needs and Operational Assessment gives us a very good start, but may need refinement to reflect the current environment.

The greatest obstacle facing Kindersley right now is our financial capacity. We are at our maximum borrowing capacity and have the responsibility to address a wide range of infrastructure needs in order to keep our community’s growth healthy and sustainable.

The success of the WCCC will be through community champions leading the way. With community leaders driving the fundraising, fine-tuning the building design, and working within the Town’s fiscal responsibilities, WCCC can be a reality. The Town’s ability to leverage support from other levels of government and to provide an environment for the fundraising efforts to be successful will also be key.

Change may be the only constant for this project. This is okay. The fiscal environment we are currently working within will change, volunteers will come and go, government support may change, and other things will change as well. The one thing we have to agree on is that the WCCC will be built, and we will built it. If we can’t agree on that, then the project will not succeed. I believe it will.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.