March 21, 2023
Full Video - please note the live stream visuals were cutting in and out, but the audio is available.
NOTE: Many agenda items were not discussed before Council timed out. They will be addressed at a special council meeting on March 28.
YMCA Tri-Party Agreement
The City of Welland is entering a tri-party agreement alongside the Town of Pelham and the Niagara Centre YMCA. Over the last 10 years, the sustainability of the Niagara Centre YMCA has been tested. Moving out of the pandemic, the YMCA is operating at approximately 64 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels and continues to see a forward-moving trend.
Entering into this agreement benefits the City of Welland in areas such as:
- Continuation and access-for-all to a multitude of highly-valued programs and services provided by the YMCA for all Welland residents, and
- Continued access for Welland residents to the only indoor and year-round aquatics facility within the City of Welland, and
- Continuation of support of the City's initial capital investment made in 2002/03.
The tri-party contribution agreement is prefaced on the expectation that the YMCA will return to a self-sustainable operation over time and structured over a five-year term (April 1, 2023 - April 1, 2028) with declining annual contributions made by Welland as the YMCA begins to find further efficiencies, return to a more robust membership level, and increase revenues.
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
TOTAL |
||
|
YMCA Net Operating Loss |
$412,871 |
$370,254 |
$329,889 |
$254,816 |
$171,519 |
||
Welland |
66% |
$272,495 |
$244,368 |
$217,727 |
$168,179 |
$113,203 |
$1,015,970 |
Pelham |
21% |
$86,703 |
$77,753 |
$69,277 |
$53,511 |
$36,019 |
$323,263 |
Other* |
13% |
$53,673 |
$48,133 |
$42,886 |
$33,126 |
$22,297 |
$200,115 |
*To be absorbed by the YMCA
The first year (2023) of funding is sourced from the Operating Surplus Reserve Account. The subsequent years of the five-year term (2024, 2025, 2026, 2027) are placed into the base operating budget at the time of budget preparation.
Maple Park Pool Accessibility Ramp Grant Award
The City of Welland's application to the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) small projects stream to fund the construction of an accessible ramp at Maple Park Pool for the maximum funding allotment of $100,000 was successful.
Removing barriers for persons with disabilities remains a priority for the City. A ramp at Maple Park Pool is necessary to enable all Welland residents to enjoy what the facility has to offer.
The City accepted the grant funding provided by the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to fully fund the Maple Park pool ramp's construction..
Consultation has concluded
