Tay 'cavalry' not saddling up for Midland's NSSRC user-fee request

Tay council has closed the door on its participation of user fees for the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, while simultaneously reminding all regional residents that Tay Township facilities are open and free of user fees.

The discussion at the recent regular meeting for Tay council was in response to a formal request sent out by Midland council, who had sent a letter to both Tay and Tiny Township councils requesting contributions as per a user-fee group workshop from May.

In the Midland letter, a $5 per Tay household amount was requested as a way to incorporate non-resident user fees and offset an annual deficit of $1.8 million to operate the NSSRC.

Tay council members definitively said no at the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Barry Norris extended a lengthy history of the Midland’s hockey rinks and arenas dating from 1887 and onward, through to the modern facility.

“I didn't go back to actually finding how much provincial funding was actually in place for the (Midland Centennial Arena) build in 1978, but I'm quite confident there was quite a bit of funding,” said Norris. “Provincial funding, as far as I'm concerned, allows everybody to use that facility. It wasn't the town of Midland residents that paid for this.”

Norris took a moment of self-deprecation to refer to himself as “the rude jerk I am,", and referenced Midland Mayor Bill Gordon’s comments a week prior that said previous Midland staff and councils ‘doing business kind of like cowboys’ behind closed doors without transparency; it prompted Norris to dig into Midland’s public financial information and the claim of a $1.8 million annual deficit.

Debt servicing and debenture, staffing costs, interdepartmental services and budgeted repairs were alluded to by Norris.

“In the long run, I don't support it,” Norris said. “Referring to cowboys –  the cavalry, as far as I'm concerned, this platoon… we're not coming in to save the day.”

Coun. Gerard LaChapelle noted how Midland businesses gained from economic spinoff when outsiders used the Midland facility, rhetorically positing that non-resident user fees be charged to use the Tay Shore trail; a sentiment shared by Sandy Talbot. Sylvia Bumstead reiterated that rural children would be the most at harm through user fees.

“I remember back when my kids were playing hockey (in Coldwater),” said Coun. Judy Larmand. “At that time, Coldwater tried to impose a user fee and they lost half of their minor hockey players; they went to Midland, and it was the same then.”

Mayor Ted Walker expanded on all council members’ thoughts and included more as he admitted, “I'm really perplexed as to why Midland would even think to send this request.”

Walker said that the initial pitch for the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre included a contribution to the capital build for the 2004 facility, including other groups and organizations.

“It's important to note that at no time – no time – during those discussions or at any time after the discussions until recently, was it ever suggested that Midland was going to expect a contribution to the operation of the facility,” said Walker, who had also served as Midland’s CAO between 2007 through 2013.

“Above all this,” said Walker, “over the years Tay has prided itself in contributing both financially and support-wise to many organizations and facilities that we do not have. Our contributions have been routinely of a generous amount, and often on the shared basis with our North Simcoe municipal partners even though we have a much lower assessment.

“For all of these reasons and those mentioned by council, I cannot in good conscience put this additional financial burden on our residents,” Walker concluded.

Although the agenda item appeared in the correspondence received portion of the Tay meeting, Walker suggested that council deny the letter’s request and further that he pen a letter of response to Midland council directly stating all the reasons which council had included.

However, Walker also took a moment to extend an olive branch to North Simcoe residents and groups looking elsewhere for recreation needs.

“Regardless of what Midland may decide,” said Walker, “Tay Township will continue to welcome and encourage the use of our recreational facilities by all residents, regardless of where they may live, without the added financial burden of user fees.”

MidlandToday spoke with Walker following the meeting about the definitive statement put out by Tay council on the matter.

“I understand how municipalities are financially struggling now, but we have those same struggles,” said Walker. “We have our own rink to look after. The point of user pay between municipalities just doesn’t make sense to us.

“I think this is it,” he added. “In my letter to them, I’m going to let them know that and basically request that they withdraw their request.”

The Midland request for neighbourly financial support letter can be found in the agenda page on the Tay Township website.

Tay council meets for committee of the whole meetings every second Wednesday of the month, and regular council meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month. Archives and livestreams of council meetings are available through the Tay Township YouTube channel.