ELORA – Centre Wellington council has stood by its original endorsement of a roofless Bissell Park multi-use pad despite efforts from councillors to change it.
Tying the vote 3-3 at a Centre Wellington council meeting Monday evening, councillors decided against rescinding its initial endorsement of a new outdoor, refrigerated multi-use surface including a mechanical and storage building plus some accessibility upgrades at Bissell Park for $4 million after a lengthy debate.
One of two motions brought forward by Coun. Bronwynne Wilton, she previously told GuelphToday she brought forward the motion because she doesn't believe refrigeration is a priority for most activities to take place at the pad and believes it is important to have a roof from an environmental standpoint.
As the initial motion was defeated, council did not discuss Wilton's second motion to endorse a new multi-use pad with a roof but no refrigeration unit for $2.37 million, still contingent on a successful grant application.
During the meeting, Coun. Jennifer Adams called a point of order over Wilton's motion, questioning its validity as it relates to the township's procedural bylaw.
"I truly believe that the concerns from my fellow councillors can be addressed through different means," said Adams, whose point of order was later defeated in a vote.
Coun. Lisa MacDonald agreed, commenting on the importance of following the rules.
"This is not an emergent situation," said MacDonald. "This is precedent-setting and I find it divisional in this chamber."
Coun. Denis Craddock, who was unable to attend the previous meeting, voted against Wilton's motion but said he would've been in favour of option three, as staff recommended.
Council's endorsement at the Oct. 15 meeting contrasted staff recommendations, which included a roof over the pad for an additional $1.7 million.
MacDonald elaborated on Craddock's point, saying it doesn't mean a roof can't be put on the facility in the future.
"I think we're leaving money at the table because they're very similar options but now we're missing a roof where we could've potentially gotten it through the grant," said Craddock. "If there was an avenue through this to get back to three, rather than the proposed motion that may come up, I would have opened it up for discussion again."
The motion was defeated 3-3 with MacDonald, Adams and Craddock voting against and Wilton, Evoy and Coun. Kim Jefferson voting in favour.
Mayor Shawn Watters declared a pecuniary interest and was unable to comment or vote on the motion.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
