By Jordan Parker

Council continues Eastlink Centre debate

Nov 16, 2017 | 3:44 PM

The $1.5 million investment in the Eastlink Centre was questioned in council chambers Thursday.

Councillor Wade Pilat wondered why the city was being given a proposal to raise funding from $4.3 to $5.8 million to a facility with falling revenues.

“I just question why we are further giving money to something that is losing revenue,” said Pilat, as Councillor Jackie Clayton also asked questions about the line item.

At tax increases of 4.2 and 3 per cent — and one in which there is no tax hike — the $1.5 million extra is represented in each scenario.

Community Living Director Koji Miyagi explained the reasoning for the hike, saying he expected membership to increase from 4,500 to six or seven thousand people.

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He says plans are in place to have that happen. 

The centre has been a point of contention since March 2017, when access to the pool was restricted due to they short-staffing.

An April shutdown that lasted three weeks was for maintenance and lifeguard training. The pool & aquatic centre times were slotted instead of spontaneous use after that point.

“Eastlink Centre is a world-class facility with great employees. Initiatives are already underway to earn the confidence of the community and to increase revenues,” wrote City Manager Bob Nicolay in an emailed statement Thursday morning.

Thursday’s session also discussed a report on the viability of the proposed Regional Performing Arts Facility and replacements to the concrete foundations of a playground in Muskoseepi Park.

The park would get $400,000 and the curling club’s new ice surface would also take $250,000 from the budget.

The council and Mayor Bill Given will also have deliberation and approval of the budget on Friday.