Russell Multiplex dealt funding blows

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/07/2010 (5649 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Russell Multiplex project may be down, but it’s not out.

As hopes for government funding fade and expected municipal contributions fall short, the town has been forced to look at other ways to keep the project going.

"When you do something like this you always hope neighbouring municipalities will help you out, so from our side I guess it’s a bit of a disappointment," committee chair Chris Radford told the Sun. "We’re going to continue to appeal to both levels of governments for money … We’ve been told ‘no’ already, but it’s not going to stop us from trying."

During budgeting, area municipalities were expected to chip in $150,000 apiece as well as an additional $1.1 million in government funding.

Binscarth Mayor Peggy Bradshaw says that amount isn’t feasible for a community of just 395 taxpayers.

"Our entire operating budget for the year is $400,000," Bradshaw told the Sun. "We could look at it one way and think … give them less or give the project X number of dollars over a set number of years, but if you’re looking ahead and consider what if some emergency arose here? How could we finance that if we’re already committed to another?"

Instead, Bradshaw says the community will continue to support the Russell project in a smaller, more personal way.

"Although we wouldn’t be putting money directly into the complex, we do feel we support the economy. Our contributions will come in a different form," she said.

RM of Shellmouth/Boulton Reeve Alvin Zimmer says the municipality has its own facilities to repair first, while the RM of Silvercreek was expected to vote on its decision earlier this week.

To account for these unexpected shortfalls, the Russell town council doubled its proposed $1-million borrowing bylaw — a move that has prompted a groundswell of opposition.

More than 200 people have signed a petition and a handful more wrote letters, all of which were submitted to the Manitoba Municipal Board municipal board in protest of the bylaw.

When a municipality proposes to borrow money to finance a project, it must be approved by the municipal board.

The board is a quasi-judicial tribunal that reviews the necessity of the project and the municipality’s financial position.

Because more than 25 people officially spoke out against the project, a public hearing was held last week in order for those in opposition to voice their concerns.

The board will then issue an order either approving, rejecting or varying the bylaw.

If at all possible, Radford says the monies borrowed will only be a safety net.

"We’re trying to be open and make sure everyone understands … this is only a worst-case scenario," he said.

"It’s not the plan, it’s a hypothetical situation … where if fundraising falls short and no more government money comes in."

If the bylaw is approved, shovels could be in the ground within two weeks, Radford said.