Minden Hills council, on Jan. 16, directed staff to put out an expression of interest for potential partners to help redevelop the Lochlin Community Centre site. They also committed $50,000 towards the project.
The future of the centre – which has been shuttered since COVID – was again up for debate as part of budget talks.
“In its mothballed state, the condition of the building has deteriorated and requires significant investment,” chief building official, Eric Guay, said in a written report.
An advisory committee has been meeting to help determine next steps with three options: a new $900,000 plus tax hall; renovating the existing building, at an estimated cost of $585,000 plus taxes; or relocating the existing building for $1,050,000 to $1.15 million plus tax.
CAO Cynthia Fletcher said there is another option.
“Maybe there’s an opportunity to seek a partner, or partners, to do something bigger on the site.” She added, “my strong recommendation would be anything that we do has to include a community gathering space” since the centre had been a hub prior to the pandemic.
Coun. Pam Sayne agreed they need to keep the community centre component and was intrigued by potential partnerships. “What if we put a couple of housing units there?” she asked. “I like the idea of doing something more there.”
Mayor Bob Carter suggested day care. “If there was some space… they could pay full market rent… I’m just using that as an example of a partnership. But it will take time.”
Coun. Ivan Ingram asked about moving the old fire hall in downtown Minden to Lochlin.
Deputy mayor Lisa Schell said the Lochlin hall issue has been going on for years. “I think this council has to make a decision and make something happen one way or another.”
Coun. Tammy McKelvey agreed, “it is time to make a decision, put some money in the budget for at least a commitment to do something. We have a building that is growing mould. The previous council talked about it. We’ve talked about it enough. Just put our money where our mouth is or say we’re not going to do it. I love the partnership idea by the way.”
Fletcher suggested putting out an expression of interest, including asking potential partners how quickly they could make something happen. Ingram suggested the $50,000 and council voted in favour.
In-house lawn care
Council also voted in favour of in-house lawn care at cemeteries, versus hiring a contractor.
Director of community services, Candace McGuigan, said it was possible with the hiring of two additional summer parks students. McGuigan pointed out they went outside the municipality due to staff shortages last year. Cemeteries are open May 1 to Nov. 30 with clean-up beginning in April.
McGuigan added they could also do Lutterworth yard, and the Minden water and wastewater treatment plants, rather than having OCWA do the plants. She said no additional equipment is required. The overall cost would be just over $27,000, compared to $56,000 for contracting out.
Council opted for in-house.
