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County contributes to Airdrie facilities

Rocky View County council approved a one-time $55,000 expenditure from its Linear Fund to make up a budget shortfall in recreation contributions to the City of Airdrie.

Rocky View County council approved a one-time $55,000 expenditure from its Linear Fund to make up a budget shortfall in recreation contributions to the City of Airdrie.

The money will go towards 2009 operating costs for Airdrie facilities including Genesis Place, East Lake Athletic Park, Chinook Winds Regional Park, Ron Ebbesen and Plainsmen arenas, the curling club and the Town and Country Centre.

“It isn’t a local issue,” said Division 7 Councillor Lois Habberfield. “It is truly regional.”

In 2008, Rocky View County and the City of Airdrie signed a five-year agreement, effective until 2013, to allow equitable usage of Airdrie recreational amenities for county residents. The agreement states that about one-fifth of Rocky View residents are potential users of the facilities and should pay for a portion of the operational costs.

In June 2010, County councillors approved $148,093 in funding, $100,000 of which came from the Rocky View Central Recreation District and $48,093 from the County’s Industrial/Linear account.

However, in December, Rocky View was advised by Airdrie administration that the County’s share was actually $203,513, more than $55,000 short of the budgeted amount, because of additional personnel and higher than expected utility costs.

Council discussed several possible funding sources, including taking the money from the Rocky View Central Recreation Board, asking other recreation boards for contributions, taking from the Linear Fund or dipping into the County’s general funds by adding the expense to the upcoming budget.

“I don’t think it would be fair to encumber the recreation boards with the funding,” said Division 6 Councillor Greg Boehlke.

Several councillors suggested other area boards, such as those in East Rocky View and Crossfield, should contribute to the Airdrie agreement.

“They may have to put this in their bailiwick as well,” said Division 9 Councillor Paul McLean.

Habberfield said the County should find a long-term solution.

“I guess we need a fix for this year’s problem,” she said. “Then we will have to figure something out, whether it is looking at adding to the budget or raising taxes.”

Division 2 Councillor Kim Magnuson agreed.

“I will support this as a one-time funding only,” she said.

“I will not support this again, as we need to start working on regional recreational plans.”


Airdrie Today Staff

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