Council approves Sunny Life contract with YMCA

Town agrees to pay annual operating costs of new aquatic centre

Main sign on the south side of the building.

Trent Hills council has approved a contract to have the YMCA operate the aquatic centre part of the Sunny Life Recreation and Wellness Centre.

Under the contract, the municipality will pay an annual fee for operating expenses that are not covered by the fees charged by the YMCA. The fees, which have drawn some complaints online, are set by the Y. They range from $593 for a youth (under 15) to $830 for an adult.

The agreement is for 20 years, but it will be reviewed every five years, but the reviews will not lead to termination of the deal. The contract says the facility will “be inclusive and never turn anyone away on the basis of an inability to pay the fees.”

It also says: “The municipality recognizes that based on the relatively small size market area, and until its population increases sufficiently to support a financially independent and viable Trent Hills YMCA, the municipality may be required to provide an annual financial contribution to support the Trent Hills YMCA operations.  The municipality’s contribution will be calculated annually and both parties are committed to work cooperatively to minimize the municipality’s financial exposure as much as is reasonably possible.”  

Director of Community Services Peter Burnett said the municipality realizes it will take some time for the Trent Hills YMCA to get established.

Responding to a question from Councillor Daniel Giddings, Burnett pointed out that the municipality had a similar agreement with the Y on operating expenses for the now closed outdoor pool.

In a report to council last month, Burnett said that the budgeted cost of the recreation centre is $22.7 million. It identified $19 million in funding from various sources. So far, $18.6 million has been spent on construction.

Council also approved a contract that will see Campbellford Wholesale pay $600 a month for the next year for the right to operate the canteen and vending machines at the Sunny Life centre.

The municipality issued a call for interest in March and it was the only company that responded. Burnett said the notice was posted on the town’s website and in The Community Press.

Councillor Gene Brahaney noted that volunteers from the hockey association had managed the canteen at the existing arena for many years, but said it is difficult to find volunteers now.

Burnett said the company wanted a one-year deal but will be spending a substantial amount on capital improvements and hopes to operate the canteen for many years.

Deputy Mayor Mike Metcalf noted that the agreement says Campbellford Wholesale will set the hours the canteen is open, but Burnett said the town will have a say. Since the YMCA has not set its hours of operation it is difficult to determine just when the canteen should be open. There will also be vending machines to provide food and drinks in off hours.

“They’d like to be open as much as possible,” Burnett said.

The sign will be bright, have messages, and may be scary.

Council also agreed to exempt the centre from the town’s sign bylaw and permit a pylon sign to be located on municipal property that abuts the rec centre’s land. The sign will carry messages about programs and games in the building.

Councillor Dennis Savery asked if it was going to be one of the scary bright digital signs that disturb people. Burnett’s answer was yes.

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