Following a period of contention between the Chestermere Regional Community Association (CRCA) and Rocky View County (RVC), CRCA president Mel Foat said he just “wants the fighting to stop.”
“It’s been a very interesting year, since May. We did not play nice in the sandbox. I will admit we took a defensive attack because we thought something was wrong,” he said. “We’ve since changed our minds. I have convinced the board that we would like to go forward with RVC.”
RVC previously pulled funding from the organization, citing five reinstatement requirements the CRCA had yet to comply with.
“I’m certainly encouraged by the message you’ve brought forward to us today. I’m very hopeful these five issues will be dealt with expediently,” Councillor Bruce Kendall said at a CRCA presentation to council on Feb. 2. “I’m looking forward to a strong relationship developing with the CRCA.”
As of Jan. 19, CRCA provided updated job descriptions and a copy of a forensic audit. To receive funding reinstatement, the CRCA must provide RVC with a revised lease, a stakeholder relationship enhancement plan and must reform bylaws – including those related with conflict of interest and fiscal accountability.
“We’re going to get together and see how we can work together to see how we can make this relationship (solid). It should never have been derailed,” Foat said. “We hope these strides we are making will give you the confidence that what we are doing out there is for the best interest of the community.”
Foat requested council give permission to proceed with facility expansion plans prior to meeting the five requirements. Currently, the facility holds approximately 28,000 square feet of vacant lease space.
“Delaying this does affect us. It’s going to affect these people who want to come into the facility,” he said. “These three things do need to get done. But please don’t shut us down here.”
However, RVC administration recommended the five issues be dealt with before permission was given, prompting council to give CRCA three weeks to resolve the issues.
“First things first. We have some issues that need to be cleared up,” Kendall said. “We need to get our house in order such that we can make a decision appropriately at that time. I would urge Mr. Foat to pay very close attention to get this done as expeditiously as possible.”
County council will vote on granting permission for construction during the Feb. 23 council meeting. If the CRCA cannot meet that deadline, permission can be requested when it meets the conditions.
