Amherstburg town council is proceeding with the application for a grant they hope will fund about half the cost of upgrades at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park.
The project would see two tennis courts, two multi-purpose courts and an asphalt trail at the park. The overall cost is estimated at $1.06 million with the town’s $530,000 share being funded, should the grant application be successful, through $254,400 through the new capital reserve and $275,600 through the town’s development charges for parks.
Town council voted 5-2 in favour of proceed with the grant request, which is under the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Fund. Voting in favour were Mayor Michael Prue, Councillor Molly Allaire, Councillor Diane Pouget, Councillor Peter Courtney and Councillor Don McArthur. Opposed were Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb and Councillor Linden Crain.
Also opposed was local resident Bill Petruniak, who said he wasn’t against spending on parks, courts or playground equipment.
“This is about money,” said Petruniak. “I have sat in numerous council meetings and listened to you, our present town council, complain about how past councils have overspent, saddled the town with too much debt, failed to maintain and plan for future infrastructure and generally failed to manage the town’s finances in the best interests of the taxpayer. I see today as an opportunity to draw a line in the sand.”
Petruniak called for council to look at needs before wants. He noted a recent consultants’ report stating the repairs needed at town buildings, adding upgrades are needed at the water and wastewater plans.
“Council has new plans for our town hall and the list goes on,” he said. “All of this takes money – more money than the town currently has.”
Petruniak suggested the town look at renovating the current town hall as opposed to moving into a new one. He questioned why the town would consider a “frivolous expenditure” such as the H. Murray Smith Centennial Park project.
“This is a time for fiscal restraint, not grandiose expenditures,” said Petruniak. “The time is now to get Amherstburg’s financial house in order. The time is now to show some courage and rein in spending. The time is now to become a council that Amherstburg taxpayers can be proud of instead of one we are ashamed of.”
Petruniak compared it to a parent wanting to give their children everything they want but knowing they can’t do that.
Courtney said town administration did its due diligence on the matter and earmarked the money that would be needed for such a project. He pointed out the town has a five-year capital plan.
Recreational amenities have been taken away over the last number of years, and going after the courts would try and provide something for families to use, he added.
“Is it a want? For sure,” he said. “Is it a need? For sure.”
Courtney said he was proud of the current council for coming together, adding they are potentially losing out on over $500,000 if they don’t go for the grant.
McArthur said his preference would be outdoor basketball courts, stating the only ones available in Amherstburg are half-size courts at Anderdon Park. He believed council would be “failing our children” if they don’t provide more for them to do, noting many now live in apartments or townhouses and don’t have opportunities to put up a basketball net.
“We do need tennis courts,” McArthur added. “We need to invest in our youth. We need to invest in our recreational amenities.”
The cost of the proposed project was acknowledged but McArthur added “I think the cost of not doing it is greater still.”
Prue said he understood there will be those in the community who think he is just out to spend money, but he countered that by stating he also wants to save money. Should the town not pursue the grant and wait for another time to do the work, there might not be funding opportunities from upper levels of government, he suggested.
“If you wait, you’re going to get zero,” said Prue.
The town’s share was placed into the last budget, he added, and said it wouldn’t lead to a tax increase.
“This is money that was put aside precisely for this purpose and it is to be spent this year,” he said.
The mayor added he has never seen a municipal government refuse funds from upper levels of government.
“I don’t think we should be just cavalierly saying ‘no, we’re not even going to apply’,” he said.
Prue also acknowledged recent OCIF funding from the province, but stated “it’s the least amount we’ve gotten in the last ten years. Every year it goes down.”
Allaire also noted half of the cost of the project could be covered by the province, noting she campaigned on parks and their importance to Amherstburg. If construction is delayed, the costs increase, she added.
Pouget added she has long pushed for work at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park but noted she has concerns over the town’s debt. She wondered if there were opportunities for developers or businesspeople to step forward and make contributions towards park upgrades. If young people are using parks, it could keep them out of trouble, she added.
“I really believe the more footprints we have in the parks, the fewer we have in the police station,” said Pouget.
Gibb said he has come to the conclusion “based on the numbers facing us” such as the Gordon House needing work, the “tough budget” that is coming up for 2025 and the “huge decision” coming on what to do about town hall and the proposal before them, “I have to come down on the side of wait and see.”
Gibb applauded staff for pursuing grants but couldn’t see spending the money right now.
“For me, I just don’t see us at this time, spending this much money on another asset we’re going to have to maintain,” he said.
Crain said he would prefer the discussion take place during budget time or at some point in the future. He said he does not oppose courts in the town but said there are many competing projects in town. He cited the King’s Navy Yard Park extension, new fire hall, a new boat ramp at Ranta Park, a new town hall and Belle Vue.
“We’re even trying to re-develop the park at Malden Centre,” said Crain. “I really think it’s important to funnel money back in reserves and reduce our long-term debt.”
Should the application be unsuccessful, council also agreed they will be the ones to decide how funds will be allocated within H. Murray Smith Centennial Park.
By Ron Giofu