CBN towns want provincial help to offset costs of regional rinks and pools

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Oliva Bradbury

The Towns of Bay Roberts, Harbour Grace, and Carbonear are joining forces to lobby for provincial funding for regional recreation facilities.

At the September 9Carbonear council meeting, Mayor Sam Slade explained that he, Bay Roberts Mayor Geoff Seymour, and Harbour Grace Mayor Terry Barnes had recently attended an Urban Municipalities meeting in Bay Roberts.

“Conversation was had around the table about different regional facilities that do get funding from the government,” said Slade.

The three mayors put together a resolution, which councillor Wendy Penney put forward as a motion during the Carbonear council meeting. The resolution highlights the cost and effort it takes to operate regional recreation facilities as well as the recreational, social, health, and community benefits they provide.

“Be it so resolved that Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador lobby the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to establish a dedicated provincial funding program for municipalities that own and operate recreation facilities serving a regional population,” said the councillor. “Be it further resolved that the province establish clear eligibility and funding criteria that recognize factors such as regional usage, population served, operation cost, and the financial contribution of the host municipality with funding available to help offset the cost associated with providing these regional recreational services.”

Councillor Malcolm Seymour voiced his approval of the resolution.

“It’s long overdue for us to have something come back to us for what we do here in our recreational programs, and other towns, too… And it’s nice to see them going after funding for that,” said Seymour.

“It’s nice to see, collaboratively, the communities in the CBN area working together,” said Penney. “And I know our mayor spearheaded this, and I want to thank Mayor Sam for bringing this forward and being instrumental in bringing our community together.”