Repairs to Nick Smith Centre, skateboard park wanted

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Derek Dunn

EMC News - It's become a running gag over the years during Arnprior's budget season: parks and recreation director Glenn Arthur asks to have the Nick Smith parking lot paved, but council deems other projects more important.

This year Arthur didn't even include it on his staff's wish list.

"I'll give you a break on that," he said, to the laughter of all at the council meeting.

Instead, Arthur asked council for at least $291,500 for nine projects in his department.

One is do with either $10,000 or $40,000 in funding for 150th anniversary events, the exact amount will be known when the province accepts or rejects a grant application.

Reeve Walter Stack jokingly asked if funding for the 150th anniversary celebration could be put off for a few years.

Arthur asked council to replace the 1980s-era Jack Crescent play structure, site of much vandalism.

"We have had to close this structure down as of last year as we can no longer get parts that fit the existing play structure and, therefore, have to replace this piece of equipment," Arthur said in a report. He is asking for a new one at $11,000.

A $60,000 master plan for recreation also made the list of capital projects that could be funded without borrowing. It would clarify contributions to parks and recreation from surrounding areas such as McNab-Braeside. It would also help future councils and staff in budgeting and planning.

Another idea is to replace the skateboard park at a cost of $45,000. The wooden ramps are replaced annually at a cost of $2,500 because there is nowhere indoors to store them. The new ramps would likely be less noisy for nearby neighbours, he added.

Humicons keep ice surface in decent shape during summer months. The arena B humicon, installed in 1983, needs to be replaced at a cost of $60,000. It is difficult to find parts for the old technology, and the new Desicons save on energy costs.

Arthur told Mayor David Reid that to put the working Humicon into the lesser used rink and install a new one in the more often used rink would prove too costly in labour.

The Nick Smith Centre's warm brine/heat exchanger and pumps, along with the condenser water tank needs to be replaced for $33,500. They've been in place since 1977 when the building opened.

The heat exchange system would lower hot water costs and supply more hot water to the dressing rooms. The under floor heat exchanger reduces the depth of frost under the floor.

"The condenser water tank has been repaired many times over the years and it is at the point that we are repairing repairs," Arthur said.

The five-ton rooftop above the Bert Hall Arena dressing rooms need to be replaced to the tune of $12,000.

Arthur wants to replace the Arena A sound system for $35,000. He said only exceptionally clear-speaking people can be heard on the existing system. And, finally, he would like to replace the department's 1998 half-ton truck at a cost of $25,000.

The parks and recreation advisory committee chair, Coun. Mark Willmer, was disappointed to see his committee's recommendation of new tennis courts wasn't mentioned. He said volunteers should have their work "recognized" by staff.

Arthur said he needs more time to talk with stakeholders about the possible tennis court location. He said he is also hearing mixed messages from the public on the need for one.

On the operational side, Arthur said he needs more money to pay for the increased cost of pool chemicals, plus new communication radios.

He would like to see the one 30-hour per week youth position split into two 15-hour per week positions. It would improve the department's ability to get out into the community, specifically to after-school programs, by having two people doing it.

Arthur recommends keeping all youth programs.

Willmer agreed, saying he remembers when councillors heard many complaints about kids having nothing to do in town. There are fewer today.

derek.dunn@metroland.com