Council passes $195,000 Rec. budget

Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River Town Council held its regular monthly meeting Monday night even though the mayor was absent.
Councillors present agreed to allow an unscheduled delegation, Mr. Wayne McCarthy, speak to council.
McCarthy’s comments centered around two subjects. The first was the Rainy River Recreation Center. He noted that he attended the Rainy River Figure Skating Club’s ice show on the weekend and that his mother utilized the elevator. He noted that he thought the elevator was a great asset to the building.
On another note, McCarthy commented on the fact that the lights installed in the arena a few years ago will be very difficult to change as they are very high. He, being a licensed electrician, said he could not see how one of them could be changed as he did not think a bucket truck could be brought into the building or a ladder could be safely used.
He had other concerns about some of the emergency lighting not working and the fact that the exterior of the building is not well lit. “If it is the community center, or the center of the community it should be easier to find,” said McCarthy.
McCarthy also asked council if they would be willing to support the creation of a heritage museum separate from the railway museum. He suggested that if a building were obtained that perhaps council would forgive the taxes on it.
Council asked McCarthy to begin putting a proposal together and put such a request in writing for council to consider.
He also said that he had heard that he was no longer allowed to work on town buildings. Acting Mayor Larry Armstrong said that he is not aware of any such directive.
Recreation Budget
Council unanimously approved an interim operating agreement with the Recreation Board for 2002 so that the existing bylaw governing the board can be modernized. Council also passed the Recreation Board’s 2002 operating budget in the amount of $195,000 of which the town contributes $55,000 and the township of Dawson contributes $5,000.
Another motion concerning the floor in the upstairs of the Community Center was brought forward. It gave the Recreation Board to move forward with plans to have the Rainy River High School Shop Class strip and refinish the hardwood floor in the upstairs of the Community Center. The carpeted area will also see the carpeting removed and the hardwood floor under it stripped and refinished. There will be no cost for the labour and the materials will be about $600-$800.
Other Business
•Larry Armstrong reported that the majority of communities on the District Social Services Area Board have agreed to look at converting the board to an Area Services Board.
•Council voted 5-0 to support reinstatement of the spring bear hunt.
•Council will be advertising to contract out the operation of the marina in Rainy River.