CommunityCouncilSportsTop Story

Province says no to subsidizing Danny Cleary Centre

By Craig Westcott/March 17, 2023

Harbour Grace council was unable to convince the Province to subsidize what the Town feels is a skating rink and recreational facility for the Conception Bay North region, but there was some good news this week on the Danny Cleary Community Centre.

In an update to council and residents on Monday, Mayor Don Coombs said the Town has heard back from the Department of Municipal Affairs regarding its request to meet with the minister to talk about regional funding for the centre.

“They got back to us and suggested, or told us, or advised us is the proper word, there’s no (government) funding available for regional facilities,” said Coombs. 

Instead, the department suggested Harbour Grace look at implementing some kind of regional funding model of its own involving its neighbouring towns.

“That’s been tried before and to no success,” said the mayor. “So, we as a council will sit down as a roundtable and see where we will go after this budget year.”

While the facility is busy with senior and minor hockey, skating and other events which take in revenue, Harbour Grace council often has to subsidize the building’s operations. However, in his finance committee report this week, chairman Gordon Stone cited some positive news about the centre.

Stone noted his committee has been getting a monthly report from the Centre on its revenues and expenses. “For the month of February we have a surplus in the amount of $8,786,” he said. “So, for two months now we’re in the black.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *