Bradley brought the Grey Cup home

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June 18, 2021

Former Canadian Football League (CFL) player Mike Bradley said it’s “a big honour” to be named to the Haliburton Highlands Sports Hall of Fame.

In an interview, he said Haliburton is special to him.

“The people and the community as a whole have played such a big part in my success athletically and who I am today,” the sergeant with the Durham Regional Police added.

The Hall of Fame committee said Bradley’s road to becoming a two-time Grey Cup Champion is inspirational.

“He overcame the perception that he was too small (at 5’8) for football with strength, speed, dedication and a big heart,” they said.

He played for the Red Hawks where he set virtually every school record, including a 379-yard rushing game and a 110-yard punt return in 1995.

At the University of Waterloo, Bradley was starting tailback, earned league MVP, was a finalist for the Hec Creighton Award, and led the Warriors to the Yates Cup. His university football career included school records of 3,773 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns. He won First Team All Canadian twice and was inducted into the university’s hall of fame.

In 2002, he was signed as a free-agent by the then Edmonton Eskimos (the team has been renamed the Edmonton Elks), and given a last-minute invitation to their training camp. He became a fan favourite in Edmonton. In six years with the CFL, Bradley played in two victorious Grey Cup games, 2003 and 2005. He was especially proud to bring the Grey Cup home to Haliburton County, sharing it with friends, family and fans, the hall committee said.

He retired in 2008.

“Initially, I don’t think I even realized how fortunate I was to play in two Grey Cups in my first two seasons, and then return to another Grey Cup later in my career,” Bradley said. “Our Grey Cup win in 2003 was the first championship I’d ever won at any level, in any sport, so it will always be the one I cherish the most and have the fondest memories of.

“Returning to Haliburton with the Grey Cup for a few days was a must for me. It gave me a chance to celebrate the victory with so many of the people that helped get me there, and have them be a part of it.”

Bradley and his family now live in the Oshawa area but have a cottage on Koshlong Lake.

The police officer said there are many similarities between football and policing.

“In policing, we work 12-hour-plus shifts most days, so sometimes it seems like we spend more time with our co-workers than we do our family. The same can be said for football or any high-level sport really. During the season, the time constraints are enormous and not overly family-oriented. So, both in sport and policing, you need an extremely understanding and supportive family to be successful.”

He added there are also highs and lows.

“Both are careers that until you actually play the game or do the job you will never fully understand. In both careers, you do things that most people are not willing to do. You rely heavily on your teammates/ platoon mates for support.

“You quickly realize that the more effectively you work with your teammates / platoon mates the more successful as a whole you will be. We may measure success differently in football such as in wins and losses, where in policing we measure success based on community safety and coming home safely to our families. Regardless, in both venues you tend to be only as good as the person next to you. But both have a sense of camaraderie that unless you are a part of it, you won’t understand it.”

Report hopes to advance shoreline debate

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Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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Watersheds Canada has released a report addressing barriers municipal officials and cottage associations cite in addressing shoreline sustainability.

The environmental organization released “The Future of Our Shores” last month. The report outlines responses from three different stakeholder surveys involving more than 160 people, including planners, lake associations and municipal representatives. Interview subjects – including those from Haliburton County – answered questions on what they saw as the largest issues in implementing environmental protections of shorelines.

The study found a lack of education, effective policies, and development pressures as problems. Haliburton’s The Land Between founder Leora Berman – who worked on the report’s steering committee – said the information applies locally, including to the heated debate around a proposed shoreline bylaw.

“I see what happened in Haliburton as a major breakdown in communication, and I’m hoping that this information could actually quell some of the fires,” Berman said. “The relationships in this municipality need to be healed.”

Haliburton County’s proposed shoreline bylaw, which would restrict development within 30 metres of shorelines, has been hotly contested. The County opted to delay it and has a consulting firm take over the process.

The report included interviews with more than 50 lake associations, 23 planners and 44 politicians. The lake associations identified “a lack of education, understanding, or awareness” and “unsustainable attitudes and practices” most often as the biggest hurdles towards lake stewardship. Seventy-four per cent identified property owners as having insufficient understanding, while 57 per cent said they had unsustainable attitudes.

Municipal officials identified a lack of financial resources and competing interests as the largest barriers to shoreline stewardship. Whereas many municipal officials felt economic and environmental interests were equal in land-use decisions (42 per cent), 56 per cent of planners felt municipalities were favouring economic interests.

Watersheds Canada executive director Barbara King said she hopes the information might advance the conversation.

“Everybody cares about the health of our lakes,” King said. “What we’re finding is a huge disconnect between people’s values and their actions.”

The survey offered some ideas such as a “shoreland network” where stakeholders share ideas and experience, with 83 per cent of municipal representatives indicating that would be “very useful” or “somewhat useful.”

King said the organization hopes to create a web portal to facilitate such a concept. She added seasonal residents are sold a vision of cottage life that needs adjusting.

“That pristine kind of environment, where they have grass to the water’s edge … without a weed in sight,” King said. “We need imagery around natural is beautiful.”

Berman said there can be a compromise between creating naturalized shorelines and carefully landscaped ones.

“There are subtle nuances in this municipality now that need to be ironed out,” Berman said. “What we’re doing is providing the science and the skills. But healing the relationships is still going to be up to the people in the community.”

Youth encouraged to get vaccinated

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Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging people aged 12 to 17 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during June.

Based on the province’s schedule for second doses, youth vaccinated this month will be eligible to receive their second dose in August, ensuring they are fully vaccinated when school resumes in September, the health unit said on June 11.

“While it’s important for people of all ages to be vaccinated against COVID-19, we want to ensure that our young people are fully protected before heading back to class in the fall,” said Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit.

Youth are encouraged to book an appointment at any of the health unit’s immunization clinics. Appointments must be booked through the provincial booking system. Some local pharmacies may also provide youth vaccinations and should be contacted directly to book appointments. As well, primary health care providers may also offer vaccinations to their younger patients and their families.

Assessment centre COVID update

The positive rate for COVID-19 continues to trend downwards in Haliburton County, however 100 per cent of positive cases are now for variants of concern (VOC).

The latest report, issued June 9, found the positivity rate for the period May 17-28 was 1.29 per cent. That is down from the May 3-14 rate of 5.31 per cent. The number of average tests completed each week was also down to just 78.

“Although the overall number of COVID19 positive cases are declining, it is critical that public health measures continue to be followed in order to help prevent further spread of the virus and the VOCs, particularly as the province moves ahead with its roadmap to reopen plan. These measures include frequent handwashing, wearing a face mask in public spaces, and maintaining physical distancing,” the report said.

They also stressed the need for people in the community to get vaccinated.

Patient records improved

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS), along with six other hospital organizations representing 14 hospitals in Ontario’s central east region, are partnering to deliver a new, digital clinical information system (CIS), HHHS said in a news release.

“For the first time in central east Ontario, patients and their entire care team will have real-time access to each patient’s health information in one place,” said Carolyn Plummer, HHHS President and CEO.

She added the CIS “will dramatically improve the ways patients and health professionals communicate with each other, supporting them to make the best possible decisions about each individual’s treatment and care.”

The seven partner hospital organizations participating in this major health care initiative are: Campbellford Memorial Hospital, HHHS, Lakeridge Health, Northumberland Hills Hospital, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Ross Memorial Hospital and Scarborough Health Network.

“This unprecedented partnership will substantially improve the patient experience by supporting patients throughout their transitions between organizations and services,” added Plummer. “This is of tremendous value for a small rural health care provider such as HHHS with so many patients receiving care provided by our regional partners.”

She said another feature is patient access to a user-friendly and secure portal called MyChart to view their health information and upcoming appointments

PSW program coming to secondary school in the fall

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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By Kirk Winter

Plans are underway for Haliburton Highlands Secondary School to offer a self-contained personal support worker program starting in September 2021.

Interested individuals have until July 2 to apply for one of the 15 positions available in the first intake of potential PSWs this fall.

The PSW program involves 12 weeks of classes where students have the opportunity to earn three high school credits. Classes offer experiential learning, providing the students with a better understanding of the requirements for a PSW career. Students then move to a workplace placement of eight weeks where three additional cooperative education high school credits may be earned.

The program began in Lindsay in February 2020. It placed 20 students at two long-term care homes in Kawartha Lakes. A number of the students have offers of fulltime work once they successfully write their exam June 28.

Lisa Uuldricks, principal of the Adult and Alternative Education center in Haliburton, shared with the school board at its meeting June 8 the success of the pilot program in Lindsay and plans for Haliburton.

“We hope to have two intakes for the program next year, one in September and one in February,” Uuldricks said.

She said they plan to have 20 students a semester in Lindsay and 15 in Haliburton. They are in the process of hiring an instructor for the Haliburton location and will be placing students at three local care homes in Haliburton County.

“We hope to provide students with the skills to offer compassionate care,” she said.

The program won’t be expanded to Muskoka yet, since, “We don’t want to saturate the market with graduates, and we realize we have a niche market in Lindsay and Haliburton where there is no college currently offering the program,” Uuldricks said.

Trustee John Byrne said, “This is an excellent and much-needed program. What we offer to students is as good as anything the colleges provide.”

Trustee Don Alton wondered specifically about the window for sign ups, and was told that they began June 14 and end July 2 for the HHSS one. Students will be selected after interviews are completed and reference checks done.

Two subjects per day new norm at high school

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 18, 2021

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By Kirk Winter

High school students in Haliburton County will see a significant change in their school day when they return in the fall.

The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has opted to move from octomesters, where students take one class a day, all day, for 22 days, to quadmesters, where they will take one class in the morning and one class in the afternoon every day for 44 days.

Director of Education, Wes Hahn, shared the September return to school plan with trustees at the June 8 regular board meeting.

“Quadmestering of this kind has been recommended by the ministry,” Hahn said, “Cohorting has been relaxed by both the ministry and the board of health, making this move possible.”

Hahn told trustees registration for 2021- 2022 is complete. The board is going ahead with setting up classes, finalizing course selections, and staffing for the new school year, realizing budget restraints will slow the process and it, “will take time to match students and teachers together,” Hahn said.

The board expects approximately 16,300 students, with 15,600 in brick-and-mortar schools and 688 in some kind of virtual instruction. That virtual number includes 293 secondary and 391 elementary students.

Hahn expects the virtual numbers to decrease between now and August. “We expect the rollout of vaccines over the summer to impact those virtual numbers. As more staff and students get vaccinated it will have a dramatic effect on what September looks like.”

Hahn told trustees he had been asked when schools would be back “to normal.”

“That will be subject to the number of cases of COVID the system is facing,” Hahn said.

Hahn added the board’s priority from the beginning of the outbreak has been to keep students and staff safe. With that in mind, September 2021 will look very much like September 2020, with masking and enhanced cleaning protocols still the order of the day at all board sites.

“We continue to upgrade ventilation systems in our buildings,” Hahn said, “increasing airflow while at the same time decreasing heating and electrical costs.”

Trustee John Byrne sought specifics about how varied on-line learning options could be, particularly at the secondary panel, with so few students opting for virtual learning.

Superintendent of Learning, Katherine MacIver, said, “All courses will not be available. If enough students do not sign up for a specific course, they won’t run. There will be limitations in the virtual world.”

Byrne wondered if high school level technology or hospitality courses would be available virtually, something that appears unlikely.

MacIver added, “Students will not have the option for blended programming (a hybrid of both in-school and virtual learning).”

Creatives team up for new art event

By

Sam Gillett

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June 17, 2021

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This weekend, June 19-20, Glass Eagle Studios and Creative Garden Centre is hosting its first ever “Art in the Garden” event.

Six local artisans will be showcasing pottery, acrylic painting, stained glass – even leatherwork – in a lush garden near Haliburton.

Studio owner Tom Green said he hopes the event can be a bright spot in a difficult year for artisans.

“It’s just a way for us to let people know we’re still alive,” Green said.

“Art doesn’t stop because of the pandemic.”

After COVID-19 forced art show, festival and studio tour cancellations, Green himself was forced to find creative ways to stay in business.

Now, as well as running a renowned stained-glass workshop, he operates a small garden centre out of his studio.

Without the added business, Green said, “we’d be sitting here dead.”

He then invited five other artisans from across the County and beyond to join him for the upcoming showcase – his garden is large enough to easily space people and booths out.

Charlene McConnell who runs Purple Door Pottery Studio, will be selling everything from serving platters to garden ornaments – all crafted by hand.

Other than two studio partnerships, she hasn’t had a chance to share her work with others in person since before March 2020.

“It’s really nice to be able to talk to people – to find out the kinds of things people enjoy,” McConnell said. “It’s really pleasant to feel [COVID-19] lifting – to be able to get out again.”

Whether it’s the vibrant landscape paintings of Jane Selbie, or the intricate glass creations of Green, he said the event is more than just a chance to purchase handmade goods: it’s a statement about the health of the arts in Haliburton County.

“We are here, we’re not going anywhere,” Green said. “We’re artists who are going to keep making our product.”

After a year creating, often in solitude, many artists will be selling new work. McConnell explained how she had the chance to experiment with different coloured glazes this past year: a normal calendar year is filled with shows, tours and bustling summer tourism traffic.

“Perhaps that’s the silver lining,” she said.

Alongside Art in the Garden, artists and artisans will have more chances to show work as restrictions ease.

On June 19, Minden Hills is running its first artisan market, and the Haliburton County Tour de Forest studio tour is set to kick off later this summer.

For artists such as Green and McConnell, that is encouraging news.

“You keep creating, you keep making new product and you want to show it, you got to show it to people,” Green said.

“Art in the Garden” runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 19 and 20, at Glass Eagle Studios and Creative Garden Centre. The gallery is located at 2801 Blairhampton Rd.

Kombucha business fermented before taking off

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 17, 2021

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When Lucas Esson left the Highlands to study math and computer science at the University of Waterloo, it was insightful but he knew something was missing.

In addition to his studies, he did co-ops at Blackberry, ICF Olson and the City of Kitchener, getting a look into the world of big business and technology.

“I learned a lot, but I also realized it wasn’t exactly the right environment for me,” he said.

Being health conscious, he’d always desired to make a living in health and wellness and he’d always wanted to start his own business.

He began learning about the benefits of Kombucha – a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened tea – said to aid in gut health and alkalizing the body.

“I always grabbed a bottle of it whenever I came across it in stores.”

After graduating and returning to the County, the former Archie Stouffer and Haliburton Highlands Secondary School alumni had some free time on his hands.

“So, instead of buying my kombucha at the store, I decided to give brewing my own a try,” he said.

He went online and bought the required ingredients for brewing: organic tea, sugar, and kombucha culture.

“The whole process of making kombucha was very enjoyable and relaxing for me,” he said.

After four years of mentally exhaustive work, it was a nice change of pace.

He was “pleasantly surprised” to find that first batch was “delicious.” He shared it with friends and family and they all enjoyed it too.

“Realizing that the business of kombucha was new, and there was no local brewery, I immediately saw the business opportunity,” he added.

He continued to brew and quickly increased his production.

Before long, he had a bottled kombucha that was ready to sell in stores.

In February 2020, he took some samples to local businesses and met with great success.

The operation is based at the Little Hawk Resort and The Wharf Restaurant, which features a large commercial kitchen. Their kombucha can be found in Haliburton County, Muskoka and Toronto.

They are also planning to grow, hoping to distribute across the province and country. They are in the midst of adding two new team members, an assistant brewer and a salesperson.

“It’s amazing that my two passions have come together into one; starting my own company plus learning about and practicing healthy living. I feel that this type of environment is more my pace compared to the big tech corporate environment,” he said.

“One of my favourite parts of being in this business is the people I get to meet and work with. I have met lots of like-minded health-conscious individuals. Something I didn’t experience as much of in the tech world. I am blessed that everything worked out the way it did. I am excited to continue this journey and see where it takes me. “

New online chapter proposed for library

By

Sam Gillett

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June 17, 2021

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Haliburton County’s Public Library is requesting money from the County’s COVID-19 relief fund for a new website.

On June 9, the County’s library board voted to submit a request for funding to County council for $60,000 to finance upgrading the site, which library staff say is outdated.

The funds, if approved, would come from the $2.87 million the County received from provincial COVID-19 relief funding.

Erin Kernohan-Berning, branch services librarian and deputy CEO, said that a new website would make administrating – and accessing – library services much more efficient.

“It was increasing difficult to get those services on the website we have now,” Kernohan-Berning said.

From 2019 to 2020, the Haliburton County Public Library saw a 43 per cent jump in demand for online services such as e-books and audio rentals.

“When we first shut down in March 2020, we really pushed so much of our services online,” she said.

The current website was designed around 10 years ago. Kernohan-Berning said it can’t effectively handle many new services the library provides.

The library board’s funding request outlines how a new website will also allow streamlining of the library’s events: right now announcements and event management services are spread out across multiple platforms.

So far, the library estimates that the project would cost $50-$60,000. That’s due to the extensive digital infrastructure needed for memberships, renewals, cross-library loans, event-management software and more.

Kernohan-Berning said that’s why the first estimates seem so high.

“The complicating factor with updating our website is it’s tied into our integrated library system,” she said.

The Highlander asked an industry expert, who said websites with those kinds of advanced functions require ongoing service and support, and usually require a large team to develop the site and provide training to library employees.

Since the library launched online registration in March 2020, it has had 385 new registrations across eight branches.

In 2021, the service has had more than 18,000 items reserved online, or rented digitally. Digital services make up over half of the library’s circulations so far this year.

If council approves the use of funding, the library will receive bids for the project.

Board member David O’Brien said he hoped the library could use local developers to build the site.

“If we can use them for our work, I think that would be a real advantage,” he said.

‘Unprecedented’ surplus

While COVID-19 has meant a halt on all in-person library programs, it’s had a positive impact on the budget: the service is running its largest ever surplus coming into fiscal year 2021.

COVID-19 meant staff layoffs, and extended leave for some library staff, including the CEO. That’s resulted in a $199,296 surplus.

The board voted to establish a reserve fund, which allots funds for operating expense and new purchase of books, equipment and other items.

Under the suggested reserve system, the board would use $22,300 for new computer monitors, branding refreshes, E-books and audio purchases, an outdoor public address system, new storage cabinets and other needs.

The library will also develop an operating reserve of $120,000 which will be used in case of unexpected funding delays or shortages.

Tourism group seeks funds for app for adventure

By

Sam Gillett

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June 17, 2021

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Adventure Haliburton plans to introduce a new app which it hopes will attract tourists to Haliburton adventure experiences.

Randy Pielsticker, vice-president of Adventure Haliburton, presented their new Driftscape app initiative to Haliburton County council June 9.

Driftscape is an app and online platform which marks businesses on a map and provides interactive descriptions, tours and more.

“It’s a great navigation tool to help tourists find adventures locally,” Pielsticker said.

The Driftscape program requires a $4,800 annual subscription to host set numbers of points of interest in an area. Part of that fee pays for interactive map elements and tours; “gamifying” the experience of exploring the County.

Adventure Haliburton proposes the costs would be primarily carried by their membership fees and topped up by County contributions. Only members would get a spot on the map.

The organization is requesting a one-time $5,000 contribution from the County to assist with initial costs including hiring an external marketing consultant, as well as $2,500 annually to help with advertising, marketing and outreach.

“This will be something that will be an investment for the long-term,” Pielsticker explained. If County council chooses to pitch in, Pielsticker hopes to purchase a higher-level Driftscape package which allows more points of interest. That means they could add local landmarks and municipal trails and other local attractions.

Adventure Haliburton is an incorporated group of Adventure experience providers, resorts and restaurants, with a tiered membership program. The goal of the organization is publicizing Haliburton as a adventure tourism destination.

After COVID-19 put an end to Adventure Haliburton’s promotion of their members through tradeshows and in-person events, Pielsticker said Driftscape is a logical new direction for promotion.

“It really provided a solution to many of our challenges and answers many of our initiatives,” he said.

Exclusivity concerns

Some councillors voiced concerns about helping to fund an exclusive tourism program.

“For me, the membership requirement is a problem,” Algonquin Highlands Mayor Carol Moffatt said. “Pay-to-play isn’t an even playing field for all the players.”

County Warden Liz Danielsen agreed.

“I still have a problem funding something that will only serve certain services in the County,” Danielsen said.

But Pielsticker argued that other Countyfunded tourism initiatives and festivals are only available to businesses who pay to be involved.

“There are lots of other expenses that do not promote the County as a whole and ask for much more money than this.” Pielsticker said. He also mentioned how tourists and locals exploring with the app would filter tourism dollars to businesses around the County – even if they weren’t involved in the project.

Dysart et al Mayor Andrea Roberts voiced her support for helping to fund the program.

“There are lots of organizations where you have to be a member to take advantage of opportunities: I’m really excited about this,” Roberts said.

A ‘digital concierge’

The app is available across all phone platforms and provides more features and depth than a map platform such as Google Maps. Users can find out local history of landmarks, listen to audio descriptions and dive into local adventures through themed tours.

Pielsticker said that Adventure Haliburton will use the app as a “digital concierge” for adventure activities, restaurants and accommodations.

Craig Bowker, owner of Adventure Haliburton member business Ski-Mazing Watersports School and president of Adventure Haliburton, said Driftscapes could be the key to exposing Haliburton’s wide array of outdoor attractions.

“There’s a lot of locals who still don’t know how much there is to do, and how much is offered here,” Bowker said. “We have adventure activities unparalleled by other municipalities or counties.”

Bowker said COVID-19 restrictions meant a boom in local tourism for his business last summer. He said Driftscape could attract more locals and nearby tourists too – even after COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted.

Driftscape is a software company located in Toronto. Municipalities across Ontario, such as Fenelon Falls and Huntsville, have signed on to the app.

County council requested more information from Adventure Haliburton before deciding if it will contribute funding. If councillors decide not to pitch in funds, Adventure Haliburton will purchase a lower-level subscription from Driftscape which shows fewer points of interest on the map and has fewer interactive options.

With a July 1 launch date in sight, Pielsticker encouraged County council to make a quick decision.

“We would like to know as soon as possible if we can do this with your funding or if we’ll have to find different ways to move forward,” he said.

Scouts, Guides relocation prompts talk about fire hall

By

Lisa Gervais

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June 17, 2021

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Helping the Scouts and Guides find a new home in Minden Hills prompted discussion of repurposing the old downtown fire hall during council’s June 10 meeting.

The suggestion came about after director of community services, Craig Belfry, updated council on talks with the Scouts and Guides, who have been ejected from the Scouts Hall at the newly-refurbished arena and community centre to make room for the Haliburton County Huskies hockey team.

Belfry said equipment and materials used by the groups were being voluntarily moved by the Junior A Hockey club to a temporary recreation complex location until September. He said he was also investigating purchasing mobile storage racks for the community centre, which could be rolled in and out for programming. He said there is grant funding for them.

He added the Scouts and Guides had not yet found a new place for their programming, although he is suggesting the community centre.

Mayor Brent Devolin thought mobile storage was a good idea not just for Scouts and Guides but other community group users.

At this point, Coun. Pam Sayne lambasted herself and council, as well as staff, for treatment of the Scouts and Guides, before recommending the township refurbish the old fire hall for them and other community users.

Sayne said she was “embarrassed” they had not discussed the issue earlier.

“I’m afraid that I relied too much on others who have been around longer than me to ask that question, why is it called Scouts Hall? Why are we giving it away?”

She said 2016 statistics indicated that six to 10 per cent of Minden Hills youth are in Scouts and Guides. “we need to support this in every way that we support hockey.”

She added she has been told Rotary put $300,000 into the meeting space “and that’s an atrocious amount of money on faith. If we don’t have a legal right, we certainly have a moral right to support this group.”

She said they should repurpose the old fire hall into a community space. She said it’s central, visible, and could be shared, whether it’s Scouts and Guides, for markets, or a gathering place out of the elements.

“So, I strongly urge everyone to support the idea of looking into this in great detail and seeing what we can do to convert this old fire hall into looking fabulous,” she said.

Belfry said staff did look at the old fire hall but it’s “not in any great state right now” and would cost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to be viable.

Devolin said when the new fire hall was being built a few years back, there was talk of repurposing the old fire hall. He was interested in kick-starting that process.

He said the Scouts and Guides problem “may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back – comes front and centre as part of our dialogue and long-term strategy – whether we want to consider it.”

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell said it was time council made a decision on the building, although it is not in the 2021 budget. She said it is derelict-looking but has “amazing” potential and would demonstrate, “we’re not just a hockey town. It would be nice to accommodate other kids.”

But Coun. Bob Carter said he thought the Scouts and Guides issue should be separate to the future of the old fire hall and its surroundings. He said council needed “more of an overall plan” for the building and area.

Council accepted the report as information, asking for a future plan on temporary and long-term storage for the community centre and a report on the future use of the old fire fall.