Plevna Rink In For Major Refit If Funding Comes Through

Craig Bakay | Sep 19, 2024

If funding applications are successful, Plevna could have an essentially new arena in the near future.

North Frontenac Council decided to go for a full-ticket rebuild in a 5-2 vote (Coun. Vernon Hermer and Wayne Good voting no) at its regular meeting Sept. 12 in Plevna.

The discussion began with a report from Manager of Community Development Brooke Ross, who recommended a two-phase project, with the first phase being “major rehabilitation” of the Plevna rink/pickleball courts including demolition of the existing structure, hoe ramming the perimeter to provide more space, a new concrete slab, new rink boards and netting and line painting.

Phase two would include a roof installation and new electrical/lighting.

Phase one would amount to a $352,400 project with $271,348 coming from a Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund grant (provincial) and the balance coming from the Township ($121,994 including a 10 per cent contingency fund and non-exempt HST of $6,202.24).

Phase two (originally suggested for 2026 or beyond) would total $270,600 plus a contingency fund of #27,060 and non-exempt HST of $4,762. The 70 per cent grant would amount to $208,362 with the Township portion amounting to $78,298.

Ross’s report cited future savings including less staff time to maintain, a rink liner no longer required, annual asphalt sealing no longer required as concrete sealing is less frequent, energy efficient lighting and the potential for future event rental.

Mayor Gerry Lichty led the charge to combine the two phases.

“I’m an engineer,” he said. “And I’m looking at doing it all at once.

“It’s a ‘go big or go home’ and if we only do the first part, we may never get to the second part plus materials are bound to be more expensive in the future.”

“We do have the money (to do both) in our account,” said Treasurer Kelly Watkins.

“Fixing this would benefit our Township,” said Coun. Stephanie Regent.

Dep. Mayor John Inglis said it was a lot of money, “especially when we’re having trouble getting $15,000 for Economic Development Task Force projects.”

But then he moved the amendment to the motion that would combine the two phases into one.

$15,000 request from hospital

Council deferred a request from the Lennox & Addington County Hospital Foundation to contribute to its MRI fund to budget time.

Co-ordinator Amanda Chalk said they’ve reached 73 per cent of the monetary goal of $3.5 million equipment, which sees about 20 patients per year.

She said they are the smallest hospital in Ontario with this technology.

They are asking for $5,000 per year over three years from North Frontenac.

Chance for a North Frontenac Post Office

North Frontenac received an email from Canada Post Sept. 4 advising that they have received an application from a constituent to take over the defunct Ardoch Post Office.

“We met with the lady (from Canada Post) we have been dealing with and the interview has taken place,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty.

Township staff have been looking into options as to where a new post office could be located including converting an existing Township facility (or a portion thereof) which would be at Township expense, acquiring a specific facility such as a portable or trailer to be located on Township property (and charging Canada Post a going-rate lease) or leasing a property.

Attendance sparse, whenever Council meets

Continuing a debate that happens whenever the subject of meeting times comes up, North Frontenac Council again looked at the pros and cons of 5pm. meetings in the summer.

The theory goes that evening meetings give the public more opportunity to come to meetings. The reality is, it doesn’t work.

“With the turnout we’ve had for 5pm meetings, do we really want to continue with them?” said Coun. Wayne Good.

“I don’t see we get any more of an audience regardless of what time the meeting is,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer. “Plus, 5pm is supper time.”

Hermer did take time to reminisce about the pre-amalgamation days.

“Before amalgamation, when it was Clarendon-Miller, we held our meetings at 7pm and we always had people for those meetings,” he said.

Coun. Roy Huetl took the time to thank the two people who were in the audience on this particular night (both from Coun. Fred Fowler’s ward).

“I knew that was coming, I knew it,” said Mayor Gerry Lichty.

In the end, Council passed the original motion, in which meetings were scheduled for 5pm in May, June, July and August, with the balance of meetings at 9 a.m.