The Battlefords Boys and Girls Club is seeking assistance from the City with respect to their move to a new facility later this year.
They plan to demolish their current building and begin building a new facility this summer, and have approached City Hall asking their assistance to help cover costs of moving to a new building.
In March 23 correspondence from Executive Director Sheri Woolridge and board president Molly Pederson, the organization asks the City to issue a grant to the organization to help cover expenses of removing the debris from their current building once it is demolished.
According to their correspondence, an estimate came back in the amount of $7,500 for those landfill costs.
While council received the correspondence, no final decision was made on the request Monday. However, councillors did not appear enthusiastic about the idea of providing a break on the landfill costs, as filling the cells at the dump also costs money.
Administration made it clear such reductions are few and far between to begin with. Public Works Director Stewart Schafer had previously been asked by council to look into any precedents with respect to requests for breaks on landfill fees to nonprofits. Schafer responded Monday there had been only three reductions given to landfill costs, and all of them had to do with contaminated hydrocarbon soil involving three separate businesses. There had never been a reduction granted for demolitions, he said.
Administration has been directed to work with the club to look into alternatives for that organization. One of the possibilities might include moving the existing structure to another location, an idea floated by Councillor Ray Fox.
The current Boys and Girls Club building on 104th Street was built in approximately 1904. They are seeking a new facility to meet what they describe as a need for additional space and newer equipment to serve the approximately 120 youth who use the agency in the Battlefords.
