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Dawe centre to reopen this summer

The City of Red Deer’s Recreation, Parks and Culture Department is seeking additional money over two years towards initial operating costs of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre set to reopen this summer.

The City of Red Deer’s Recreation, Parks and Culture Department is seeking additional money over two years towards initial operating costs of the G.H. Dawe Community Centre set to reopen this summer.

Department manager Greg Scott said the money would go towards the hiring of around eight employees, utility costs and other expenses associated with the centre on the north side of Red Deer.

The centre was closed in March 2008 and has since undergone millions of dollars in exterior and interior renovations. Scott presented his department’s proposed operating budget on Friday that includes the $387,685 in 2010 for the Dawe, plus another $224,991 in 2011 for a total of $612,676.

Scott said these dollars in 2010 and 2011 will be partially offset by $500,000 coming out of the department’s infrastructure maintenance fund. The total impact to the 2010 budget would then be nearly $138,000.

Full service at the Dawe is also being phased in over a four-year time frame to minimize financial impact as well.

Scott also said there would no user fee increases at recreational facilities.

Councillor Cindy Jefferies told Scott she’s had a lot of public inquiries for having trails cleared during the winter so people could walk and bike.

Last winter, a pilot project was done at Bower Ponds where the snow was packed down. Jefferies said it was popular.

Deb Comfort, neighbourhood facilities and community development supervisor, said the city is looking to repair Kinex and Red Deer Arenas through the summer months.

Recreation, Parks and Culture’s proposed operating budget for 2010 is $20.3 million, down from $20.8 million in 2009.

It is seeking additional monies beyond its base and include:

l $206,470 for increased costs associated with parks vehicles

l $114,300 in the looking after more park space, including a new off-leash dog park

l $30,000 to replace diseased trees on municipal land

l $25,000 for an employee to help organize this year’s Centre Fest

l $20,000 towards developing a policy concerning advertising, naming and sponsorship

l $10,000 for contracted services, materials and supplies at the new Alto Reste Cemetery building

ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com