A couple of agreements will be heading to North Battleford City council for approval at their regular meeting Monday.
One item is the annual lease agreement between the City of North Battleford and the Twin Rivers Curling Club, with the curling club paying a lease fee of $1 to the city.
The curling club and the city had renegotiated the lease down to $1 back in 2018, after encountering significant financial losses during their first year of operation at the Northland Power Curling Centre.
Since then, the financial picture has improved due to revenues from hosting the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling. After the 2017 Meridian Canadian Open, the curling club made a $100,000 payment to the city towards their commitment to the construction of the building.
Councillor Len Taylor said Monday at a planning committee meeting that the curling club still faces challenges, pointing to those months when the facility is empty after curling season is over.
The utility costs alone are more than what they would ever pay in a lease payment to the city, said Taylor, referring to those costs during the summer months.
Director of Leisure Services Cheryl DeNeire said the curling club recognizes the $1 lease is not meant to be a long-term solution.
It is to be renewed for one year as the curling club completes its long-term strategic plan; that plan is expected to be in place by June 30 of this year. Taylor noted that the strategic plan is expected to include attempts to secure additional revenue sources.
Planning committee voted in favor of recommending to council that the lease agreement be authorized; it will be presented at council Monday night.
The other item going to council next Monday is the management agreement renewal with the Canadian Mental Health Association for management of David Laird Campground.
CMHA had made a presentation last fall to council expressing their desire to continue the management contract at the campground, and a new agreement has now been negotiated. The term is for five years, commencing April 1, 2019, and ending March 31, 2024.
The agreement was discussed at length at planning committee Monday night. It will also go to council at their Jan. 28 meeting.
