Council pumps brakes on St. Williams Community Centre and fire hall divestment plan

Tom Masschaele, Ward 1 Councillor.

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

Two county-owned facilities in St. Williams could stay in municipal hands after council reconsidered a previous decision.

Norfolk Coun. Tom Masschaele requested the reconsideration at the May 26 council meeting, saying new information regarding usage numbers for the St. Williams Community Centre could convince councillors to keep the centre and nearby fire hall. Masschaele said the stats, as well as a petition signed by more than 750 residents, are enough to at least have councillors take another look.

“I am very confident that council will be very receptive to what they (the residents) have developed,” he said.

Councillors made the decision to look at divesting themselves of the properties during a facilities master plan presented last fall. A review looked at more than 120 facilities on 90 properties across the county, with a goal to shrink the county’s portfolio, offering a boost in revenue through sales and reducing the amount needed for capital upkeep.

Staff identified several properties and facilities across its administration, operations, emergency services, and culture and recreation departments for potential divestment. Councillors at the time voted to remove some from the chopping block, but kept the two St. Williams facilities in the plan for divestment.

The reconsideration only opened up the possibility to keep the buildings in municipal lands, as councillors referred it back to staff to take a look at the new information and report back to council. “We will endeavour to bring that to the next council meeting if we can,” said CAO Al Meneses, though he cautioned it could take longer depending on how complex the new information is and how thoroughly staff need to review it.