Rideau Lakes council has voted to defer participation in a proposed regional recreation steering committee tied to future arena and fieldhouse plans in Smiths Falls, following a lengthy and at times confusing debate surrounding governance, transparency and regional recreation partnerships.
During the May 25 committee of the whole meeting, council considered a recommendation from CAO Shellee Fournier to appoint one elected representative and one alternate to a newly proposed Smiths Falls Regional Recreation Facility Steering Committee.
The committee is intended to provide high-level input and regional perspective as Smiths Falls explores the possibility of a future regional recreation complex.
According to the committee’s Terms of Reference, the body would help guide discussions surrounding governance models, ownership structures, funding approaches and regional partnerships connected to any future recreation build, while final decision-making authority would remain with Smiths Falls council.
The proposed committee would include representation from Smiths Falls council, neighbouring municipalities and regional user groups, with Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow serving as chair.
Before debate on appointments began, Coun. Paula Banks introduced a motion seeking to defer Rideau Lakes participation in the steering committee until the next term of council.
Banks argued neighbouring municipalities have been requesting clearer financial information and recreation user data from Smiths Falls for years in relation to the current recreation agreement tied to existing facilities.
“Since 2014, we have been asking for clear financial records from the Town of Smiths Falls,” Banks said.
She also argued municipalities contributing financially to future regional recreation facilities should receive “meaningful governance authority” and stronger operational input.
The original motion also referenced concerns surrounding the proposed ALTO high-speed rail project and its potential impacts on regional recreation alignments and municipal partnerships. References to ALTO were later removed from the motion following procedural discussion.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom supported dividing the motion, arguing the current recreation agreement and the proposed future recreation facility were separate issues.
“This motion should not be about the recreation cost-sharing,” Hoogenboom said. “We’ve said from day one that those two things are not related.”
Hoogenboom described the steering committee as an early-stage planning discussion rather than a funding commitment.
“All we’re talking about here is Smiths Falls is considering a regional recreation facility and they want a steering committee,” he said.
Coun. Sue Dunfield said council should have better user statistics and financial information before making long-term decisions.
“We should know what these numbers are,” Dunfield said. “We have to start standing and making decisions based on actual facts, not on presumptions.”
Coun. Linda Carr also questioned how many township residents were actively using various recreation programs and facilities in Smiths Falls.
Council ultimately voted to defer participation in the proposed steering committee until the next term of council.
A separate motion requesting additional financial and governance information tied to the current recreation agreement later failed on a tied vote.
Following the meeting, Smiths Falls Director of Community Services Stephanie Clark clarified to Hometown News that the steering committee is specifically tied to potential future recreation builds and is separate from negotiations surrounding the current recreation cost-sharing agreement involving existing facilities.
“The Steering Committee is looking at any potential new builds that could occur in Smiths Falls,” Clark said in an email. “At this stage, the only ask is for high-level input from our municipal partners.”
Clark added that the current cost-sharing arrangement discussions are “separate and apart” from the steering committee process and relate specifically to existing facilities.
“We intend to continue moving forward with the committee, and we will happily welcome Rideau Lakes’ participation when they are ready and able,” Clark said. “They are such an important partner in our recreational facilities, and represent large numbers of our users. We definitely value their opinion, and want to hear their perspectives. We will be here when they are ready!”
The current regional recreation agreement involving Smiths Falls, Rideau Lakes and several neighbouring municipalities expires Dec. 31.
Smiths Falls is expected to appear before Rideau Lakes council at a future meeting to discuss a proposed new recreation agreement framework.
Clark said shes looking forward to attending a committee meeting in Rideau Lakes.
“II am looking forward to setting a time. Myself and someone else will likely make our way (virtually) out there to share the update on the cost sharing agreement. We haven’t set a time, but I’m hoping it will be in the not-so-distant future.”
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
