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Caroline making case for community centre

Caroline residents pushing for a new community centre are hoping they have made their case.

Caroline residents pushing for a new community centre are hoping they have made their case.

A public meeting on the project drew about 350 people in the village of 500 last week. Another 1,500 live in the surrounding area.

Residents in the community banded together because they fear that $1 million in approved grants are in jeopardy unless work gets underway soon on the centre, which would include space for a playschool, dance and yoga studios, the chamber of commerce, a medical clinic and fitness centre. The $1.3 million-centre would be an expansion of the village’s Kurt Browning Complex.

The province has promised $500,000 and Clearwater County has agreed to match it. But if the work is not completed by next March, the provincial money could be lost.

Residents are accusing the village of dragging its feet on the issue.

“It was a really good meeting,” said Kirsten Collison, of the gathering in a local gymnasium.

Local businesses offered to do concrete work and supply windows for the project, said Collison, a local teacher who serves on the dance board.

“So it was really positive. A lot of people were stepping forward and saying we can help with this.”

However, village officials expressed concern about what impact the addition would have on local property taxes, which are already high.

But Clearwater County already subsidizes 90 per cent of the Kurt Browning Complex, Collison said.

Those who attended the meeting were asked to sign a petition on leaving: either in support of the community centre, or a village-led proposal to renovate the existing building.

That proposal would see the complex modernized and bathrooms and electrical systems upgraded, and possibly the ice plant. The cost was estimated at roughly $825,000.

The community centre got 156 votes of support, against only four for the other proposal, she said.

Now, residents are waiting to see what the village’s next move is. Village officials were to meet with Clearwater County representatives on Wednesday night.

“Right now, we’re waiting. We don’t know how much more impact we can have until they make a decision.”

Therese Kleeburger, the village’s chief administrative officer, confirmed the two municipalities will discuss the future of the facility.

“Now we’re going to meet with them and find out where to next,” she said.

No date has been set for the issue to return to council.

pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com