Recreation Funds

Bob Teal | Jul 13, 2022

I am writing in regards to the Central Frontenac Council Meeting that was reported in the July 7, 2022 News. I am confused as I feel we are getting mixed messages about recreation funds and needs in the area.

As the Chairperson for the District #4 Recreation Committee (Hinchinbrooke) I feel I need to respond to the comments made about applying for a grant to build a New Facility within the area, when we have so many current facilities that are in desperate need of repair. It doesn’t seem right to build a new facility when we don’t have the financial resources to maintain the ones we have in place now. How much more of a strain will the new facility be to operate on the already scarce recreation budget? Yes, it will be a NEW facility but it will have additional operating costs.

On April 28th I attended a meeting at the Parham Ballfield/Fair grounds with Tyson Myers and other township dignitaries in regards to the Parham Ballfield/Fair grounds to discuss and plan the upcoming season. At this meeting, we discussed a number of items that have been in District #4's budget for years. Some of the items discussed include: 

• the staining of the canteen that has not been done in 6 years
• the playground fence which is a safety hazard and an embarrassment when others visit our facility, especially since 5 ball teams use the Parham field as their home field
• the back stop fencing and fencing around the ball field
• the pickleball and basketball courts that need to be surfaced
• the levelling up of the bleachers, another safety concern
• the grandstand being repaired
• the seating area around the BBQ at the canteen, that is another safety concern

This is when Mr. Myers spoke up to say that there is no money available for recreation this year, saying tough choices were made at budget time. Upon reading the Central Frontenac Council minutes, Mr. Myers said “there is money for the rink project in the 2022 budget” which contradicts what he had previously said at the April 28th meeting! So tell me, why are we putting aside money for new projects when we have projects that are now a safety issue that should be dealt with first.

Also, plans have been underway for a number of years to rebuild the well used Tichborne rink (which has been in existence for almost 100 years), but are at a stand still due to not owning the property that the rink sits on, maybe more time and effort should be put into projects that are already in place then looking for something new. We have done the leg work, we are ready to go but unable to apply for these “grants” as they normally stipulate you must own the property. We are volunteers and we do a lot for the Community and the Township….you just need to meet us part way. Keep in mind, we have 3 other districts who I’m sure have their own concerns as well.

I encourage all taxpaying residents to question your councilor’s decisions on why the majority voted on a new facility when existing facilities are in their current state! In a township that is over $4 million dollars in debt, we need to be cautious when making financial decisions.

Bob Teal