Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

Recreation Facility Infrastructure Renewal Committee

Minutes

-
Electronic Meeting - Zoom
Present:
  • Mayor Joanne Vanderheyden
  • Deputy Mayor Brad Richards
  • Councillor Neil Flegel
  • Councillor John Brennan
  • Councillor Sandi Hipple
  • Councillor Frank Kennes
  • Councillor Steve Pelkman
  • Councillor Marie Baker
  • Councillor Larry Cowan
Also Present:
  • Fred Tranquilli, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk
  • Jennifer Pereira, Deputy Clerk/ Lottery Licensing Officer (Recorder)
  • Bill Dakin, Director of Financial Services
  • Rob Lilbourne, Director of Community Services
Others Present:

  • Amber Miliken Desrosiers, Middlesex Agility Club
    Stuart Mackay, Middlesex Agility Club
    Pat Morden, Middlesex Agility Club
    Dennis Dixon, Seniors Men's Recreational Hockey
    Doug Matatall, Seniors Men's Recreational Hockey
    Joel Van Bynen, Tri-Township Arena Board
    Warren Huff, Tri-Township Arena Board
    Tim Earley, Strathroy Spirit Basketball
    Meredith Chatelain, Resident of South Grove Meadows
    Sarah Hogeveen, Mt. Brydges Needs An Arena Group
    Chris Brekelmans, Mount Brydges Minor Hockey
    Mark Duffy, Mount Brydges Minor Hockey

1.
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
 

None.

2.
Presentations/Delegations/Petitions
 

2.1
Amber Miliken Desrosiers - Middlesex Agility Club
 

Amber Miliken- Desrosiers, Stuart Mackay and Pat Morden from the Middlesex Agility Club made a brief presentation on what the club is is about and how it benefits the community. They feel that there are no facilities in the municipality in order to accommodate this group. They present a draft facility plan that aligns with recommendation #3 in the Strathroy-Caradoc Renewal Plan to provide a multi-use facility. 

2.2
Dennis Dixon and Doug Matatall - Senior Men's Recreational Hockey
 

Dennis Dixon and Doug Matatall made a presentation on behalf of the Mount Brydges Men's Recreational Hockey Group. They represent five of the adult and old time recreational groups that utilize the Tri-Township Arena. They expressed that the Nustadia report does not reflect the current or future needs for the number of ice pads in the community. The consensus amongst the group is that should Mt. Brydges not get a new arena, and Strathroy’s Gemini Sports Complex is expanded to three ice pads, that the demand for prime time ice on Sundays would be such that their group would be excluded. They feel that Mount Brydges requires a multi-purpose arena but do not support reducing the number of ice pads in the community to three. They recommended that the Tri-Township arena be commissioned but not until there is another ice pad built, so the user groups are not left without a facility.

2.3
Joel Van Bynen and Warren Huff - Tri-Township Arena Board
 

Joel Van Bynen and Warren Huff make a presentation on behalf of the Tri-Township Arena Board. Their presentation briefly described the history of the Tri-Township Arena and how it was established. They explain that they are not surprised that the arena has reached the end of its usable life. Joel Van Bynen explains that the board is prepared to continue running the arena for the next 3-5 years assuming there are not catastrophic issues until the Municipality can come to a decision and determine what should be done going forward. He explained that he sees the value of operating a multi‐use facility in our community that includes at least one modern ice pad for the continuing use by the teams and clubs.

Councillor Brennan suggests that a recommendation come from the TTA Board on their views of a renewal strategy. Joel Van Bynen will bring that back to the board.

2.4
Brad Hipple - Mount Brydges Minor Hockey
 

Chris Brekelmans and Mark Duffy made a presentation on behalf of the Mount Brydges Minor Hockey/ Mount Brydges Cougars Hockey Group which include 520 participants. They present the importance of having an ice pad in Mount Brydges. They would like to pledge $250,000 over five years in order to assist in funds for the new arena.

2.5
Tim Earley - Strathroy Spirit Basketball
 

Tim Earley presents on behalf of the Strathroy Spirt Basketball group which in a non-profit organization and fully volunteer run. They would like to show their support for a multi use facility that would accommodate proper basketball courts.

Councillor Pelkman asks if the dome structure would be proper basketball facility. Tom Earley indicates that it would be. 

2.6
Meredith Chatelain - Residents of South Grove Meadows
 

Meredith Chatelain and a group of other residents made a presentation on the need for an open park for the South Grove Meadows area. They explain all the options on what they would like to see at this park once the land is assumed. The land is currently overgrown and a dumping ground. They express that this is an urgent matter and would like to see this done sooner then later. 

2.7
Sarah Hogeveen - Mount Brydges Needs and Arena Group
 

Cheryl McFadden and Sarah Hogeveen made a presentation on behalf of the Mount Brydges #Needs an Arena Group. They have concerns with the user groups being left without an arena. They developed a group within the community starting a sign campaign and a letter campaign to help make it know that Mount Brydges needs and an arena.

3.
Approval of Minutes
 

3.1
Committee Meeting Minutes - September 01, 2021
 

  • Moved byCouncillor Brennan
    Seconded byCouncillor Kennes

    THAT: the committee meeting minutes of September 01, 2021 be approved as written.

    Carried

4.
Unfinished Business
 

None.

5.
Enquiries or Comments by Members
 

Councillor Flegel asks what the next steps will be and asks about grants that are closing very shortly. Has concerns with the dates and recommendation in the reports, knowing a decision has not been made, but has concerns with user groups being in limbo with registrations for upcoming seasons.

Councillor Kennes suggests looking at what projects can be done and what can't be done over the next years financially.

Councillor Brennan would like to see that a 3-5 year renewal plan or strategy of the TTA Board of Directors.

Councillor Pelkman agrees that a discussion is needed to determine affordability but is still concerned that this leaves hundreds of families in the unknown.

6.
Schedule of Meetings
 

To be discussed.

7.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved byCouncillor Kennes
    Seconded byCouncillor Pelkman

    THAT: the meeting adjourn at 7:58 p.m.

    Carried
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