Review-Mirror

Westport Council has decided to shelve a plan to seek a new recreation agreement with Rideau Lakes for another year. Monday they decided to carry on with their cur- rent agreement for use of the village's arena while they sort out the actual usage of the facility. The arena suffered a $60,337 operating loss in 2016. The township's $23,694 contribution for that year brought that operating deficit down to $36,643. The village had pro- posed that Rideau Lakes' annual contribution be tied to operating losses. The proposal to share the deficit 50/50 would have made that payment $30,168. The proposal also included a potential five per cent charge toward capital upgrades. The two sides have had meetings to discuss the issues around the current agreement. In December, Westport approved new arena rates for the 2018-19 season. Revenues have been slipping for the past few seasons, especially with reduced numbers in figure skating and minor hockey. The new rates would increase the adult prime rate to $168 an hour, up from $147, an increase of 14 per cent. The youth prime rate would go to $126, up from $118, an increase of close to seven per cent. A survey of surround- ing arenas in Gananoque, Athens, Perth, Smiths Falls, Kingston and Car- leton Place found West- port at the bottom of the range and the new rates would still leave them near the bottom. Last February, Rideau Lakes and Westport agreed to a one-year extension for 2017 while the rates were reviewed. For 2017, the township paid $23,367 (plus the 2016 Consumer Price Index increase). It had been entered into three years at a time for close to the last 15 years. Last year, Rideau Lakes agreed to a cost sharing agreement with Smiths Falls for use of their Memorial Community Centre and Youth arenas. The agreement is based on usage which includes an assessment of 80 per cent of South Elmsley Ward and 10 per cent of the Bastard and South Burgess Ward. Rideau Lakes paid Smiths Falls $67,336 for 2016. The township will also be paying the town another $33,668 held in reserve from 2015 pending the eventual agreement, making their new payment just over $100,00 per year. Municipalities partici- pating in the new Smiths Falls agreement, which is based on operating deficits, include Drum- mond North Elmsley (8.52 per cent), Elizabethtown- Kitley (5.77), Montague (11.97) and Merrickville- Wolford (4.11) Rideau Lakes (26.98) and Smiths Falls (42.65). The model, developed by Howard Allen and Part- ners is similar to cost shar- ing agreements Perth holds with its neighbours. Westport hopes to have a similar model in place for 2019. By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Lyndhurst area resi- dents got a first look at proposed concepts for improvements of the pub- lic spaces in Lyndhurst at a presentation by John Tay- lor last Thursday at the Lyndhurst Legion. The landscape architect was hired to develop a plan for the village's pub- lic spaces including the Jonas Street park, the new waterfront trail, Furnace Falls park and the new property on the west side of stone bridge at 405 Lyn- dhurst Road. After review of the plans by staff and then a presentation to council in March with final concept drawings tendering for the projects can be initiated this spring. Improvements outlined in Taylor's plan include interpretation signs and accessibility improve- ments to the waterfront trail from Jonas Street to Furnace Falls Park where there will be new wash- room facilities. The plan also includes a wetland lookout and inter- pretation signs on the trail. Longer term concepts include a second and third crossing of the river with one above the stone bridge and another below the dam to link the township owned property to Ormond Street. While the stone bridge adds to the charm of the village it proves a safety hazard for pedestrians who need to cross the bridge to reach the post office to the south. "It's a single lane and it's a challenge to pedestri- ans," said Taylor who envisions a fixed bridge upstream from Furnace Falls park and another floating bridge connecting the new park on the west side to Ormond Street. Taylor has identified a list of steps to take this year to realize the vision beyond consultation with the MNR and the conser- vation authority for per- mits and easements for onshore work. New washrooms for Furnace Falls Park are to be completed for use this summer. Other projects could include the addition of a fish cleaning station at the park's docks, readying the Jonas Street Park for pickle ball, developing the waterfront trail to accessi- bility standards and com- pleting an exploratory clean up of the newly acquired park property. Some of the problems he hadn't found an answer for including what is sometimes a congestion of vehicles around Furnace Falls Park. "One of the conun- drums we have is parking There has to be a way that this can be looked at from a different perspective," he said. The Review-Mirror February 8, 2018 – 3 Landscape architect John Taylor presented his concepts for improvements to some of Lyndhurst's public spaces last week to around 30 people. He had suggestions for the Jonas Street Park, Furnace Falls and the new property on the west side of the stone bridge. Vision evolving for Lyndhurst public spaces Arena suffers $60,000-plus operating loss in 2016 Westport puts off proposed recreation agreement for another year Home & Garden Design Gift Cer tificates available at Pinecone in Westpor t or from Sheila Sim at Hobbit Hill Studio 613-273-3832 Free Public Family Day Skating Monday, Feb. 19 1 to 2 p.m. Westport Community Centre & Mirror The Review Courtesy of

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