Issue
The West Parry Sound Recreational and Cultural Centre Board (WPSRCCB) passed a resolution on December 14, 2022* to expand the scope of the project by increasing the size of the pool from 4 lanes to 6 lanes contingent upon fundraising.**
The Township of Carling’s (Carling) representative supported the December 14th resolution in absence of clear, overall cost projections and implications for Carling taxpayers, without any formal consultation with Carling taxpayers and, without discussion at Carling Council. Carling is committed to funding 10.5% of operating and capital costs. With current inflation and the proposed expansion of the pool, both capital and operating costs will be higher than previous projections. The December 14th resolution proposes that the higher costs will be offset by outside fundraising. Absent adequate fundraising, the only route to access funds would be to return to the municipalities to cover any cost overruns or funding shortfall through debt or increased property taxes, thus impacting the ability of the municipalities to invest in other initiatives.
Background
In the summer of 2021 the West Carling Association (WCA) sent three letters to Carling Council expressing WCA’s concerns about the original 4-lane complex as below:
In September 2021 Carling Council voted to join the pool partnership agreement to build a facility with a 4-lane pool to be located in Parry Sound and not to exceed $32MM for design and construction. Carling took on an additional share of the costs from 9.2% to 10.5% to compensate for the Municipality of Whitestone (Whitestone) capping its commitment and the Township of McKellar (McKellar) reducing its pledged percentage. Whitestone did not sign as a partner in the project. Voting at the WPSRCCB is weighted according to each partner’s share as stated in the partnership agreement. For its 10.5% share of the costs Carling has one vote of the 12 available votes among 6 partners, leaving Carling with little capacity to influence decision-making.
At the December meeting of the WPSRCCB the representative from McKellar abstained from the vote to support the project expansion. On January 24th, 2023, McKellar passed a resolution to engage a legal firm to conduct a review of the project partnership agreement, specifically in relation to the McKellar’s financial commitments, other responsibilities and the extent of said commitments or obligations moving forward.
What are the WCA’s specific concerns?
Capital Costs
In 2019 and again in 2021 the capital cost of the 4-lane centre was projected at approximately $32MM. We are now informed that the addition of 2 lanes would be an additional $1.9MM. In 2019, the projected capital cost for a 6-lane pool complex was $36MM. At the WPSRCCB meeting on December 14th, the Chairperson, Donald Sanderson stated that construction costs had recently risen 35% to 45%. A February 2023 report from Statistics Canada shows an average rise of 33.3% in the Building and Construction Price Index (BCPI) and, as high as 46% in Ontario for non-residential buildings since 2017. Using a conservative estimate of a 35% rise in construction costs on a $32MM build would put the cost of a 6-lane pool at $45MM (1.35 x $32MM) not $32MM and not $32MM plus $1.9MM.
Operating Deficit
In 2021, the annual operating loss was reported at $300,000 (Carling’s share $31,500). The information shared at the December WPSRCCB meeting, projected an annual operating deficit of $450,000 (after fundraising) to cover the cost of expanding the pool to 6-lanes. Factoring in the capital reserve fund of $400,000, administrative fees of $250,000 along with another potential cost of $350,000 built into the agreement for “additions to the site”(e.g., an outdoor skating rink) of up to $350,000 annually (as adjusted by the annual BCPI for Ontario) there is potential for the operating deficit to be a minimum of $1.45MM (Carling’s share could increase to $152,000 not $31,500 as was previously reported to Carling residents in 2021. As well, in 2021, Carling’s Chief Administrative Officer projected the operating deficit for a for a 4-lane pool at $2MM overall.
Revenues and Fundraising
The YMCA recently advised the WPSRCCB that a large facility with a 6-lane pool is not sustainable in an area of less than 30,000 people. The WPSRCCB reports the current population of the pool catchment area at 19,867 and stated that it will reach the target population by 2036. Not only could this mean lower revenue from memberships until at least 2036; the prediction of population growth reported at the December 14th meeting is speculative and requires more analysis. YMCAs in nearby communities have seen decreasing memberships and been forced to close. The existing YMCA in Parry Sound closed its gym in 2020. Based on similar YMCA facilities, a family membership fee for the Centre (2 adults and 1 or more children) could be $2000 annually.
Expansion from a 4-lane to a 6-lane pool is dependent on fundraising to pay for the additional two lanes – $10MM ($5MM for capital and $5MM for the operating deficit). We are concerned that fundraising will be challenging. Barrie, with a population of over 212,000, with higher household incomes, and a much larger commercial tax base recently cancelled its pool project after it raised only about $7MM in 2 years.
Questions to ask the WPSRCC Board
Competition pools require different standards (must be dug deeper and wider than the original 4-lane pool). What additional assessment has been done on the Smith Crescent property (particularly recent soil samples) to determine the suitability of the property to accommodate the expanded project?
Questions to ask Carling Council
What are the next steps for WCA?
If you have any questions or concerns we encourage you to reach out to Carling Council (including Mayor Susan Murphy) at smurphy@carling.ca and/or the WPSRCC Board at
info@wpspoolandrec.ca with any comments or concerns.
* To view the December 14th, 2022 meeting of the pool board it is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lpi4L_BL6w&t=157s
**For more detailed information on fundraising go to the project fundraising website: https://wpspoolandrec.ca/
Help us keep our beautiful community clean and green!
We're inviting everyone to take part in Carling Clean-Up Day on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon.
It’s a great opportunity to come together, clear litter from our roads, and make a visible difference in our Township.
Pick-up Supplies:Stop by the Township Office to grab garbage bags, safety vests, and gloves before heading out.
Celebrate Your Efforts!After the clean-up, join us for a BBQ lunch at 12:00 p.m. at the Township of Carling Rink—a small thank-you for all your hard work!
Whether you come with friends, family, or solo, every helping hand counts. Let’s make Carling shine!
Read the Spring 2025 issue of Shorelines here
GBB's annual Native Plant Fundraiser is back with over 50 species of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees to choose from! New species this year include harebell, New Jersey tea, and wild crab apple. Order by May 26th and pick up your order in either Parry Sound or Port Severn on Saturday, June 7th. All order proceeds support our programs. Thank you! Order Plants Here!
Spend Your Summer Working at Killbear Provincial Park! Looking for the ultimate summer job? Killbear Provincial Park is hiring students for the 2025 season! If you have a summer residence or cottage in Carling or the Parry Sound area, this is your chance to work in one of Ontario’s most stunning parks. Why work at Killbear? ✔ Gain valuable experience with Ontario Parks ✔ Work in a beautiful outdoor setting ✔ Be part of an amazing team ✔ Make the most of your summer in nature Apply Now! Applications must be submitted online through the Ontario Public Service Careers portal by April 5, April 29, or June 2. Apply Here NOTE: Limited staff housing is available—students with local accommodations should mention this in their application. Help us spread the word! If you know a student looking for a great summer job, share this opportunity with them. For more information, feel free to reach out to: Louise Seymour | Senior Park Clerk Killbear Provincial Park, 35 Eddie Ramsay Parkway, Nobel, Ontario, P0G 1G0 P: 705-342-5492 C: 705-774-2475 W: OntarioParks.com
Join us for the Carling Family Frost Fest! Celebrate winter with fun activities for the whole family at the Mike Konoval Community Hub on February 16 and 17, 2025. Sunday, February 16, 2025 Pancake Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Start your day with a hearty breakfast! Marksman, Turkey & Skeet Shoot: 8:00 AM – Registration 9:00 AM – Shoot begins Compete in this exciting outdoor event for all skill levels! Trail Hike with Parry Sound Forest School: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Enjoy a scenic winter hike. Snowshoes are provided free of charge by White Squall (limited supply). Feel free to bring your own or hike the trail without them. Hot Chocolate & Campfire: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Warm up by the fire and enjoy a delicious cup of hot cocoa! Monday, February 17, 2025 U11 & U13 Outdoor Hockey: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM Watch the future stars of hockey compete in an outdoor tournament. Bimaajitoon Search & Rescue Polar Dip: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Dare to take the plunge? Teams can register for $100 (including lunch). All proceeds support Bimaajitoon Search & Rescue training and equipment. To register, email: bimajiitonesar@gmail.com Don't miss out on these amazing activities! We look forward to seeing you at the Carling Family Frost Fest—a perfect way to enjoy the winter season with family and friends. View the Carling Frost Fest Poster Here
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 6:30 p.m. at the Konoval Hub, 2 West Carling Bay Road Pizza and Dessert, Coffee, and Tea will be served at 6:30 p.m. Community Meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to meet the Carling Health Hub Board members and local Healthcare Organizations. Are you interested in the Carling Health Hub and Primary Healthcare status in Carling Township? Are you looking for a Primary Healthcare Provider closer to your residence in Carling Township? Do you want to know about Healthcare Services available in or near Carling Township? Would you like to learn more about the West Parry Sound Ontario Health Team? If you are unable to attend in person, please join us via Zoom at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81484710567?pwd=zy3wZVblMScrVZydRg6i7j0gUr7BOs.1 Meeting ID: 814 8471 0567 Passcode: 513285 OR Dial by your location: +1 780 666 0144 Canada OR One tap mobile: +17806660144,,81484710567#,,,,*513285# Canada
Read the Winter issue of Shorelines here.
The West Carling Association expresses concern over the Council's recent unanimous decision to guarantee a loan for the regional pool project. With a projected shortfall and unclear funding terms, the financial implications for residents are significant. Transparency and community consultation are essential as we navigate this situation. Many thanks to our members who wrote to Council to express concerns about financing the regional pool project. The West Carling Association is disappointed to report that Council voted unanimously on December 10 to guarantee a bridge loan/line of credit (LOC) that has: No defined term – project completion is scheduled for May 2026, but the LOC will extend beyond as the grant money is paid only after expenses are submitted to the funder. No publicly disclosed amount, but rumoured to be $13.5MM. A reported variable interest rate of .65% below prime. Council agreed to the LOC without discussing the total funds required to complete construction and the funds available to cover the costs. Originally, between the government grant and the contributions of the municipalities, the project had $32MM to work with. Adding two lanes to the pool raised capital costs from $32MM to $36MM, to be covered by $5MM in fundraising. Fundraising is at less than $1MM, and the project is over budget by $3.5MM for a total cost of $39.5MM. The construction shortfall remains unknown but will likely be $8MM at a minimum without delays or overruns. When asked about the plan should the loan default, Council said there is no plan. The municipalities and, therefore, taxpayers are liable for any shortfall. The municipalities are responsible for the interest (at 6.5%) as funds are drawn from the LOC and full repayment of those funds at the completion of the project. When asked why Council changed its mind about guaranteeing a LOC now (having previously declined in April 2024), Mayor Murphy said borrowing wasn't the issue but rather how the LOC would be structured. Council did not want to tie up reserves. Also, Council was concerned about the accounting complexity of each municipality taking out individual loans. The Pool Board has now arranged a single LOC, but it is unclear what the impact will be on Carling's reserves. Whitestone and McKellar municipalities have withheld additional funding. It is not known how Whitestone’s and McKellar’s unpaid share will be covered, but as Carling is responsible for 10.5% of all obligations, it is likely that, at a minimum, another $65,000 will have to come from Carling. This figure will rise proportionally if there are cost overruns. At the December 10 meeting, it was revealed that the previous Council passed a resolution in 2019 to spend up to $1.5MM to build a regional pool. Council is now offering this resolution as the justification for providing funds beyond the $900,000 capital commitment Carling made in 2021. We are now told that any amount spent on the pool less than $1.5MM is “good news” because we haven’t spent $1.5MM yet. With fundraising at less than $1MM and a minimum $8MM shortfall, Carling’s share of the capital funds now needed to complete the project will likely be greater than $800,000 (without the gap left by Whitestone and McKellar) on top of the $900,000 already paid to the project. This exceeds the 2019 resolution unless fundraising picks up significantly. Additionally, Carling recently provided $157,500 as an interest-free loan to the Pool Board to assist with cash flow to be repaid once the LOC is in place. When the 2021 agreement was signed, residents were told that Carling’s obligation was 10.5% of $8.5MM ($900,000). Why are we only hearing now that spending up to $1.5MM is okay because the previous Council declared it so? WCA has asked for years how much Council is prepared to spend on the pool. Is $1.5MM the actual number in play from Council’s perspective? Is this why it is now okay to risk spending more on the project by backing an unknown LOC? Does the $1.5MM cap set in 2019 include the funds spent on purchasing the land jointly with Parry Sound intended for the pool site? If so, Carling will far exceed the $1.5MM cap. In response to whether Council is forever obligated to follow the decisions of previous Councils, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) McLlwain responded to WCA by email that Council must honour agreements made by previous Councils due to potential liabilities. The current project is not as described in 2019, and the pool agreement was signed after this resolution in 2021. Does the 2019 resolution stand? Has Carling sought a legal opinion on whether the 2019 resolution is valid? When the question was raised at Council whether the $1.5MM cap will be adequate to cover Carling’s obligation, there were two “good news” answers from CAO McLlwain: 1. Reserves are being replenished yearly by $50,000 from the Henvey Windfarm project ($1MM over 20 years), so there is little burden on the taxpayer. Taxpayers were told the Henvey funds could only be used for recreational purposes and were earmarked to fund the pool. An email from the CEO of the Henvey project reveals that the Henvey project did not dictate this but is a decision made by a previous Council. Was there a resolution? Has our current Council confirmed this decision by a formal resolution? Is this a decision that Carling residents support, or would they rather have had a reduction in taxes? 2. Funding for any shortfall can come from financing, reserves and levies. Funds for financing, reserves and levies come from tax dollars. How is this not a burden on the taxpayer? Carling residents have already paid ($900,000) through reserves built up over three to five years drawn from our tax revenue. The bottom line is that Carling has agreed to guarantee an LOC with unclear terms for who knows how much. Carling taxpayers are in for at least $10.5% of whatever the Pool Board tells us must be paid to rescue this project. Would any of us run our personal finances relying on neighbours to tell us how much we will be spending? Carling has no real say in decision-making regarding the pool, with one vote at the table. Now that the choice to support the pool has been made on behalf of Carling residents, what projects and services are going on hold, or will our taxes go up to cover the costs of the pool? WCA will continue to advocate for transparent information about the pool's costs and a consultation with Carling residents to determine whether continuing to spend money on the pool has community support.
GBA has an opening for a Project Coordinator to support our Vision 2050 project. We are offering a six-month, part-time contract position that requires a commitment of 15-20 hours per week. This vital role offers the opportunity to actively participate in a major, forward-looking initiative that aims to protect Georgian Bay’s eastern and northern coasts for generations to come. The project coordinator will work with the Vision 2050 Steering Committee, comprised of a senior team of experts and seasoned GBA volunteers. You will also liaise with other Georgian Bay partner organizations and stakeholders. Responsibilities include supporting the project’s management and organization, participating in and organizing project meetings, developing communications materials and supporting outreach about the project, working on environmental policy notes, and participating in project activities. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with strong organizational, administrative, and communication skills for this role. Knowledge of the Georgian Bay region and a background in the environmental or planning fields, whether through educational or professional experience, would be considered valuable assets. For more information on Vision 2050, see https://georgianbay.ca/georgian-bay-vision-2050-project/ If you are interested in applying or would like to know more, please contact: Allison Needham at executivedirector@georgianbay.ca