A major restructuring of the Town of Nipawin’s municipal government will see the elimination of a department and changes to the Evergreen Centre. Three positions have been eliminated.
Barry Elliott, the town’s administrator, said council has challenges to face based on discussions during the election, their time in office and through budget deliberations.
“They certainly heard concerns from the community about the Evergreen Centre and the fact users were not satisfied with the services being provided,” he said. “In all of their review of the organization, council decided to restructure somewhat, so the Evergreen Centre is restructured as part of that.”
The facility will now be incorporated into the town’s parks and recreation department. Two positions there have been eliminated, including the manager.
“As part of that restructuring, some staffing positions were changed,” Elliott said. “I’m not speaking to the nature of the staffing departures but we’re looking toward hiring a program manager that will work out of the Evergreen Centre and will oversee all of the uses of the Evergreen Centre and also be involved in the community programming through the rest of the parks and recreation department.”
That person will also have support staff.
The administrator said the changes have begun, with an interim person hired until the transition is complete.
The town’s community development department has also been eliminated, along with its director.
“We are basically blending portions of that department into some of the other departments,” Elliott said. “For instance, bylaw enforcement will fall under the supervision of the fire chief and protective services, planning and development will fall under the public works and utilities department, and other elements are falling into administration at this point.”
There will also be further restructuring in this area. Council is looking at developing an economic development/tourism role, but Elliott said it will take time before they can move ahead.
As for the cost for severance for the three positions, Elliott said he couldn’t say, as that was still under discussion.
