The Churchill Community Centre will be converted into a Provincial Offences Act (POA) courthouse after Council approved the cost-saving move Wednesday night.
But it didn’t come without a fight from two councillors.
Council was presented with a staff report recommending spending $89,200 to renovate the Churchill building in order to accommodate a court facility that would mostly be used to hear traffic infractions.
When the concept was first discussed late last year, several community groups expressed concern they would lose their meeting place if the POA courthouse moved in.
South Simcoe Police Chief Bruce Davis later told Council his department could realize savings of up to $500,000 a year in overtime and travel expenses, if his officers could attend the Churchill courthouse instead of having to drive to Barrie.
“I really have two issues,” said Coun. Lynn Dollin.
“It would cost me $300 a day to rent the Churchill hall. We would only get $175 a day from the POA. Two, how can I sit here and ground break for a new community centre in Cookstown and then tell the Churchill people their hall will be closed three or four days a week?”
Coun. Rod Boynton asked if Davis’ savings figures had been verified by Town staff.
Kerry Columbus, Innisfil’s director of community services, said his department had not been able to absolutely verify the amount of cost savings, but said, “Our review suggests it would be a fair analysis. I think staff has put a fair degree of trust in the police chief’s figures.”
Coun. Paul Wardlaw stated, “I think we’re going to take away a facility from Churchill, and Innisfil. I think it’s almost criminal. I think we’re having a gun held to our heads.”
“We have to look at the big picture,” offered Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope. “I think a year’s total gross revenue from (Churchill) is only $12,000. If we save only $250,000 a year, in the long run, we’ll save taxpayers a lot of money. With the new rec centre, there will be lots of new programs for residents. I think it’s a win-win.”
When it came to the vote, the recommendation passed, with only Dollin and Wardlaw casting negative ballots.
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