Council agrees to proceed with community multi-use building

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

Claresholm town council has decided to proceed with converting the former Claresholm Elementary School building to a town hall and multi-use community building.

At its April 23 meeting, council agreed to approve the out of budget capital project of $3.5 million to proceed with the development of the multi-use community building with funding to come from capital reserves in the amount of $350,000, grant funding in the amount of $350,000, and $2.8 million from debt financing.

Initially, council reviewed a report from administration stating on April 17 the Facility and Infrastructure Planning Committee reviewed the information obtained from the public regarding the multi-use community building at the town’s April 11 open house.

That information stated people had the choice between Option 1, delay the project and continuing operating as is; or Option 2, use grant funding, reserves and debt to move forward with the project.

The responses received were nine in favor of Option 1, and 81 in favor of Option 2.

Consequently, the Facility and Infrastructure Planning Committee recommended Option 2 to council for review.

Again, Option 2 is to proceed with the renovations of the old elementary school to create the multi-use community building for $3.5 million.

Council then discussed the proposal.

Coun. Donna Courage asked why the town is not considering constructing a new building.

“Previous councils have already done that legwork for us,” said Coun. Kieth Carlson.

Courage had said a new building could be built for less than the $3.5 million.

Mayor Doug MacPherson disagreed.

He said he contacted the same contractor Courage had, and discovered that estimate was only part of the information.

MacPherson said that estimate did not include many aspects including not all the mechanical space, no council chambers, no seating, nowhere near adequate square footage, and no price for demolition of the existing building.

With all that, MacPherson said, the cost would be closer to $6 million.

Courage also asked MacPherson why he was now in favour of the project when he was previously on record as stating the town would not borrow money for this project.

“I was wrong,” he said.

He also wanted to proceed with discussion and a vote on the project.

Courage called a point of order, saying council was basing their decision on an architect’s estimate, and asked what they were actually voting on.

“If he can give us that guaranteed estimate,” she said. “I’m all in.”

MacPherson said there is a process. They cannot get the tender without the final drawings for the building. The proper documents are not done.

He said council is voting on a recommendation to renovate the former school for a multi-use community building.

Marian Carlson, the town’s chief administrative officer, said the motion council was debating  was to proceed with the project at the budgeted amount, which is $3.5 million.

If the cost is higher than budget, council doesn’t have to proceed.

She added the town cannot award a tender without going back to council anyway.

MacPherson said it is like building a house. The financing has to be lined up before construction can start.

“We’re approving the next step,” he said.

Council then approved proceeding with the project with all of council voting in favour, except Courage who was opposed.

The meeting opened with Courage moving to add a discussion on building a new town hall and multi-use community building to the agenda.

In order to add an item to the agenda at the meeting, unanimous consent of council is required.

When the vote came, all of council voted against adding the item to the agenda except Courage and Coun. Gaven Moore who voted in favour.