A new approach needed for community arena funding

[Valley]

With the recent change in the federal government, it is readily apparent that we may need to re-examine the need for large capital projects such as the multiplex and LVEC. In the case of the multiplex we will probably need to remove the funding for existing community rinks to make the project fly. The LVEC is even more problematic since it requires significant federal or provincial capital funds to reduce costs to a somewhat 'sustainable' level. In the broad sense of community development, neither project will be particulary accessible from either a geographic or financial perspective.

One new approach might be to spread these recreational resources across our community. The Memorial Centre could be upgraded and a second rink built on the site. Existing community rinks could rehabiltated and new community facilities added to them. In both cases these facilities might include smaller or larger swimming pools to fit current and future community needs.

A more incremental approach to arena and recreational development would allow us to build these facilities as needs are more clearly defined and understood. It would also allow us to build a broader bottom up consensus on what is needed in recreational development in Kingston. The current top down approach has certainly been an abject failure in community development.

[Lydia]

Hi Valley,
Your input here is well appreciated. Thank you, I could not agree more with you. I am not totally in love with the idea of a Multiplex even thought I live closer to the site suggested.

My position from day one is that We keep and upgrade our arenas and if we must Build a new one.

You and I are actually on the same side of this issue. Having said that, If we must have the Multiplex then let us build the best one we can so that we won't have to revisit this issue of maintaining and upgrading it in the next 50 to 60 years.

[Frontenac]

The Memorial Centre Design Charrette last fall developed many excellent ideas with respect to a more inclusive design method, and less costly, for redevelopment of our current major community recreational centre. Perhaps some of these ideas could be used in looking at alternatives to the costly options of either an "LVEC" or a "Multiplex".

(see Charrette) (http://www.kingstonelectors.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=968)

[McClung]

As we look at ways for providing recreational services in Kingston we should take a look to Seattle where they have put back the word "local" back in local services - article below.

A number of smaller community facilities spread across Kingston, with community spaces, local service offices - and rinks, soccer fields and pools where they are needed - would be a far more publically accessible and inclusive method of providing city services than some of the mega projects currently on the drawing boards.


STEAL THIS IDEA
Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods

Shawn Micallef, Globe and Mail February 11, 2006

Underneath Seattle's Aurora Street Bridge lives an 18-foot high troll crushing an old Volkswagen Beetle in its hand. It's a bit gnarly, for sure, but since its completion, the sculpture has turned a derelict space, similar to the underbelly of the Gardiner Expressway, into a gathering place and cult tourist attraction for Seattle's Fremont community.

The best part: The city picked up half the $22,000 tab.

The Fremont Troll was one of the first projects completed by Seattle's "Department of Neighborhoods," a partnership program established in 1988 that works with and supports neighbourhood associations in 13 districts spread across the city. The sculpture was made possible through the department's "matching fund" grant, where the city matches whatever money the community raises for local projects. Recent beneficiaries include an oral history project by the local Cambodian community to commemorate the Killing Fields and the creation of community gardens. Last year, the program provided nearly $1.8-million (all figures U.S.) in matching funds; since its inception, over 3,000 neighbourhood projects have benefited.

The Department of Neighborhoods has also established storefront city halls, or "service centres," in each community, where residents can pay bills, use free Internet terminals and hold community meetings. Collectively, 250,000 people per year use them. With a staff of 90 and an annual budget of $10-million, the department has even provided funds for each neighbourhood to hire its own planner, to make sure its needs and concerns are part of Seattle's big-picture plan.

Jim Diers, the first director of the department and author of the book Neighbor Power, says the idea was to bring city hall and its resources closer to the community. "The department is an invitation and opportunity for local communities to participate in decisions that affect their community."

So could a Fremont Troll -- or, say, a Gardiner Hobbit -- find a home in Toronto? Marta Proctor, project manager of the Community Resources Unit, says Toronto's evolving community plan includes an investment board that will help communities access existing private and public grants, but currently there is no plan, or budget, for a matching fund project.

[Lydia]

Excellent points brought up by you all. When it comes to costs i found it very interesting to learn that Funds that were given to Kingston for the Community centers had been given under the condition that the Rinks were not to be sold or REPURPOSED at least to 2027. Otherwise, Kingston would have to return those funds. I wonder if that facture is going to be considered as a COST OF THE MULTIPLEX? As far as i am concerned, I could not care less where they wish to allocate the expense, it is still an expense associated with building or not building the Multiplex.

I see that council has decided to keep the Wally Elmer, Great work Sara Meers. By the way Great work Councilors as well for the decision to keep it.

With the Memorial and Wally Elmer off the hook, I wonder whether the community is still interested in keeping the other 2 rinks. I have to admit with both Memorial and Wally Elmer not being a factor any more, I wonder if there even is a need for the 4 ice rinks. Just maybe the only need the city has is for 2 rinks and a HUGH 50 METER POOL AND OTHER SPORTING ACTIVITIES (which this city really doesn't have) to be build as part of the Multiplex.:D :D