Candidates respond: EECC

All candidates for Aylmer mayor, deputy mayor and councillors were submitted the same six questions by the Aylmer Express. The three candidates for mayor are Jack Couckuyt, Greg Currie and Bob Habkirk. The three candidates for deputy mayor are Doug Avram, Mary French and Gerry Richer. The nine candidates for coucnillors (five to be elected) are Sheri Andrews, Pete Barbour, David LaPointe, Barbara Ann Laur, Ted McDonald, Bill Murch, Arthur Oslach, John Vandermeersch and Judi Wright. Here are unedited answers to one of the questions in order of candidate:

 

What, if any, changes would you make at East Elgin Community Complex to reduce the operating deficit?

MAYOR

Couckuyt: We have already made changes that amount to over $100,000 in the proposed 2015 budget. Leasing the halls will further bring down costs. We need to create a different operational structure such as a full power independent board or make the Complex operation a department of either Aylmer or Malahide.

Currie: I would systematically examine the operational review’s recommendations and implement changes that can be done immediately. The balance of changes can be implemented within a formal business plan with no need for the input of another consultant.

Habkirk: Is there a deficit, or have they stayed within their operating budget? You can reduce the operating budget, to control spending and that review is now being done, but you must be cognizant of the required building and equipment maintenance, human resource and contractual issues.

 

DEPUTY MAYOR

Avram: No one person does it alone. We must work with our partner, Malahide to answer this concern. A working committee of Aylmer, Malahide counselors, mayors and community members with a time line to propose solutions to councils should be struck and given working guidelines.

French: The recommendations of the consultant should be closely examined and implemented if feasible. Secondly, new marketing strategies should be investigated to increase the revenue.

Richer: Proposed operational changes to the EECC have already been identified through the Operational Review report which spoke to both operational and staffing issues. The operational report was presented to the public earlier this spring and the implementation of these changes/recommendations have either already been initiated or shortly forthcoming in the new year when the business plan for both the library and complex will have been developed. Most recently, the board removed some $120,000 from the budget for 2015. For either myself or any incumbent councilor to comment or provide an opinion outside the realm of the Operational Review Report would not be appropriate or worthwhile…

 

COUNCILLORS

Andrews: First of all, the study provided by the hired consultants should be followed as directed. We should concede to their recommendations, as they were paid well to provide their expert opinion based on relative information received by the consultants.

Barbour: Staffing costs are a major factor, ensure that the staffing levels are appropriate to service the needs based on the amount of activity taking place. June and July are the lowest demand months for ice, take the ice out, adjust staffing levels, save energy and access the impact in community service expectations and costs. Promote the facility based on customer service, reduce focus of compliance to policy strategy.

LaPointe: This facility was built by the community for the community. The question that should be asked is what can the two municipalities do to raise revenues at the complex? The operating deficit has to be addressed but not at the expense of the closing the facility, there is still a cost to residents for the building whether it is opened or closed. Review rental rates to be more competitive and maximize ice rentals.

Laur: Lacking two terms on council to review operations, budgets, staffing, ect. it would be difficult to offer any concrete ideas on my part. However, I do know that the recent 120,000.00 dollar operational savings recently announced is nothing but a bandage attempt to winner voters. The solution is to attract more business not put up a closed sign. This is a valuable community asset which currently is being grossly under-utilized.

McDonald: We have proven over the past 10 years that we cannot manage the complex and even the latest decisions by the new Ad-Hoc management group to cancel summer ice. cancel hall rentals and close on Mondays next winter translates to … loss of revenue, loss of revenue & loss of revenue. We are heading in the wrong direction. The solution that I believe will turn the complex around is to find a private management company to operate the Complex. When the Public sector fails… turn to the private sector.

Murch: The EECC operational review focused on 22 recommendations that will be acted upon through the upcoming business plan. The focus will be on the sound operation and management of the arena as well as the convention /conference space and the lands surrounding the Complex.

Oslach: . I suggested four years ago the following: reduce summer Ice, lease out the halls, look at staffing, disband the governance committee and develop a business plan. I also suggested that we hire a consultant to do a complete financial review of the Complex. The halls at present are only 35% rented, to break even you need at least 75% rented and I would lease out the halls.

Vandermeersch: The operating shortfall at the EECC is a direct result of providing the service levels that were implemented when the building first opened for business. We have since learned by hard evidence what those service levels cost and the majority of the town is not satisfied with those costs leaving us only with the prospect of cutting service levels, which we will do and I support that. As for the halls, the answer there is simple – get out of the daily rental business and find a long term lessee which will automatically provide a steady income stream. I will support this and strive to achieve it.

Wright: We are currently working through the EECC Operational Review. To date, several cost cutting measures have been activated realizing a considerable decrease in operational costs. The much awaited business plan will no doubt offer further initiatives for significant efficiency.