Yorkton's Community Development, Parks and Recreation is looking for new office space.
"As our community grows so do the City services required to support that growth. Included in the 2011 budget approval were staff positions that support ongoing work needed to accommodate the growth of our community. Some of these positions will be located in City Hall," explained a report to Council by department head Darcy McLeod.
"The Community Development, Parks and Recreation Department has been investigating options for re-locating its administrative offices to accommodate the increasing need for office space within City Hall," he told the regular meeting of Council Monday.
"Administration has reviewed two possible locations for this office re-location. The first was in the Land Titles Building and the second option was in the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre."
"The first option was to investigate re-locating the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame. The general manager of the Gallagher Centre and the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame agreed to work toward re-locating the Hall to the Gallagher Centre."
"People present at the meeting suggested that constructing offices within the Land Titles Building was not an appropriate use of the facility and that in order to maintain the heritage significance of the Land Titles Building, it would be better used as a community program and education space. However, once the Sports Hall of Fame relocates to the Gallagher Centre, the occupancy of the space will change and there is a need to upgrade exiting and accessibility requirements before anyone can use the space."
With the former Land Titles Building off the table, a second location was suggested.
"The members present at the meeting suggested that existing space in the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre be examined as an option. Further review and discussion revealed that renovating the Theatre (meeting room) and three storage rooms would result in adequate administrative space as well as the provision of a small meeting room. The use of the Theatre equals approximately $4,000 in annual revenue however these uses would be directed to the Land Titles space once the appropriate exiting and accessibility requirements are met," said McLeod.
The work at the Godfrey Dean Gallery would have benefits beyond offices, said McLeod.
The re-location of the Community Development, Parks and Recreation administration offices is considered temporary but the creation of this admin area will have a lasting legacy. This renovation is also seen as addressing some of the key objectives contained in the Municipal Cultural Plan as approved by Council in 2009. One of the key objectives was accomplished when Council approved the Plan. "These benefits will be most evident once the City vacates this space, however, locating the Community Development, Parks and Recreation administrative offices in the Godfrey Dean Cultural Centre will serve to further develop relationships between the City and the cultural community."
The money would come from several areas to cover the work.
"The estimated cost to renovate this space is $125,000. Funding plans for this project include allocating $35,000 from the Facility Capital reserve account; $35,000 from the Godfrey Dean Reserve account, $5,000 from the IT operational budget and applying for $50,000 through various grant programs. In the event that grants are not obtained, an additional $50,000 will need to be funded to ensure the renovation meets minimum administrative standards.," said McLeod.
Councillor Larry Pearen had some concerns about the offices limiting programming space at the Godfrey Dean, and how it might mesh with any efforts at the Sports Hall of Fame.
Coun. Chris Wyatt was also questioning the process.
"I was under the impression everybody was on board," he said, suggesting user groups need to sit down and envision what might transpire.
Wyatt also offered up an alternative site, noting the city's public library is under renovation and "three offices and reception area," could likely be incorporated into that work.
"I think it would be a good synergy," he said. "Let's max-out the facility we have on Broadway (Street)."
In the end the matter was tabled until the April 11 Council meeting, allowing for an investigation of other options.
