If you’ve been keeping up with the math lately, projects that are touted to “reinvent” Windsor are gushing with dollar signs. That $1-million dollars a year in “savings” which Star columnist Chris Vander Doelen gushed about at the conclusion of the CUPE strike seems to be rushing out city coffers in waves:
Now labour costs — a trend line which has done nothing but climb for decades, accounting for 60 per cent of property taxes — will start dipping by about $1 million per year (Windsor Star, July 25, 2009).
Taking all the announcements or proposals to date – an aquarium, a water park, a canal, a marina, and now a 50-meter olympic pool – we’re talking tens of millions in capital costs – not including annual operating costs.
But I believe it all began on that fateful day when Canadian Alliance leader (the precursor to the Conservative Party), Stockwell Day bubbled with youthful exuberance on a jet ski to his first press conference in 2001.
And federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird, privy to Windsor’s canal proposal before councillors, has been gushing streams of defence (and if you have watched the Honourable Minister’s conduct in the House, it’s more like spouting) for spending upwards of $1-billion on the G8 conference – dubbed the “Fake Lake Accord” – which includes an artificial lake complete with LCD screens projecting the tranquil waters of the Muskoka region.
Yes, who would have thought in these trying economic times, the fiscally prudent Conservative government would be opening the taps in ways only the NDP could dream of.
But I have to give credit to Mayor Francis this time around – at least council is being consulted beforehand and at least senior administrators are being forthright with the potential impact on taxpayers in announcing the olympic pool:
Preliminary costing peg such a facility, including seating for up to 2,500, warm-up pool and diving well, at between $28 million and $35 million, said Don Sadler, executive director of Windsor’s parks and facility operations. Another ballpark figure is the estimated annual operating cost of $1.5 million, he added.
“The key is, it’s going to cost dollars to operate year after year after year — is this community willing to accept that cost?” said Sadler (Windsor Star, June 4, 2010).
I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between the $48.9-million – strike that – $71-million east-end arena. And it seems, according to the Mainland Common 50 metre Pool Study undertaken for the Halifax Regional Municipality in 2007, the only pool facilities that require less public subsidy are the multi-purpose recreational facilities:
50 meter pools across Canada consistently lose money. The multi-dimensional facilities that have the capacity to generate revenue from a variety of sources perform better than those with smaller alternate amenity spaces designed to attract on-going public utilization. Those facilities that included large fitness centres always had greater capability of reducing the subsidization required to operate the aquatic complex.
The report continues:
Multipurpose sport, recreation and/or wellness facilities offering a wider variety of opportunities for participation. Some of these facilities are now referred to as sport or recreation destinations”. One of the best examples of this newer generation “big box” store complex is Talisman centre in Calgary AB. Details of Talisman are available elsewhere in this report.
With city pools requiring significant investments I have to wonder if the plan is to consolidate these pools into one multi-purpose facility adjacent to a fitness center – say at the east-end arena?
While flooded basements are not 100% unavoidable, considering that 311 received over 1,400 calls from across the city after last weekends combined 45-mm downpour – I have to wonder if this is really a priority at this point in time:
Municipal engineer Mario Sonego said that since Saturday night, the city’s 311 call centre and public works department received more than 1,400 calls about water damage caused by flooding. “And the calls are still coming in,” Sonego said.
Afterall, Mayor Francis did state, “his proposal also has a “Plan B” that wouldn’t require such a facility in order to host the 2013 games.”
In other words, we don’t have to construct such a facility in order to host the International Children’s Games – a worthy pursuit in my opinion.
While not convenient, forming partnerships with municipalities within the region that have such facilities (including with the Donald B. Canham Natatorium at Michigan State University) maybe just the ticket – and greater exposure for the event.
However, in my opinion, I’d like to see elected officials get over their water fascination and focus on keeping the water out of our homes and through our taps affordably.
Chris Schnurr
Carol Kosowan LL.B., B.A. (Law), B.A. (Policy)
(Moderated)
$1.5 million a year to operate? Didn’t we just consilidate all of the neighbourhood arenas into the east end grand multiplex arena in order to save duplicity in operating costs? All at the expense of the neighbourhoods. So now we want to build one large swimming pool with $1.5 million of annual operating baggage? This mayor is free-basing with our tax stash. All of this nonsense is a scam designed to cover government inefficiency and rampant legacy spending. Didn’t McGuinty promise “no tax increases”? We re-elcted him on that promise but it seems that the notion has been burning a hole in his pocket since day one. He has been blowing money off like there is no tomorrow. Enter the windfall HST. Even he knows that he is gouging to make up for his spending. He broke his no tax promise again. Maybe Mr. Francis’ friend, Mr. Fahri will get offshore investors to buy up all of the old arenas and privatize them. The net result of that might show if Windsorites value their communities over the WFCU.
Call me cynical, but I concluded a long time ago that politicians are seldom truthful or straightforward. And the ones that are; are either never elected; or quickly removed from office.
For me, it’s not so much a reflection of our politicians – but of the voting public. Sure – politicians take advantage of this; but it is we who continue to allow it to happen; and then turf the buggers that dare tell us the truth.
The public was sold a bill of goods when given the story of consolidating arenas at the east end complex. The tale goes that the old arenas were too expensive to run and the city would be saving tons of money by closing them. The truth of the matter is that O&M still needs to be expended on the buildings until a buyer is found. Can’t turn off the heat, can’t let the roofs leak, can’t leave windows broken, can’t let squaters take up residence. All this costs money. Where are the savings? The cost of the new east side centre needs to be expanded with each outlay of funds to maintain the old buildings.
And with the sale of the municipal building on Louis Ave as an example, these old arenas aren’t going to be sold anytime soon. Starting by asking over $500,000, the building only sold after being thrice reduced to just over $200,000. Ironic that the deflated property values for the city are a direct result of Eddie’s fiscal mis-management of the city.
Race to the bottom anyone?
A billion for “security” to turn Huntsville into a gated police-state community. This is the “cost of doing business” gushed Flabberty. What business? If he means the business of extorting the taxpayer, then yes. 2 million for a fake lake for elites to look at, ONCE, and then it will be torn down. BRILLIANT! These perfumed Lords and Ladies are really starting to make me sympathize with terrorists, because I’d love to drown every one of them in the fake lake.
Sadly, macro and micro levels of government are exactly the same, on a smaller scale of course. Fast Eddie might have the skills to run a profitable Pita shop, but he’s clueless as a political leader.
I wonder if they built a tiny oil derrick in the fake lake to remind BP that Canada is open for offshore drilling?
We destroyed the real world (the environment) for an abstract/fake world we invented (economy).
We killed off all the wildlife for little pieces of paper with printing on them (money).
This will be the sad legacy of the talking monkey who walked upright – he will be the first species to CAUSE his own extinction.
We sure are smart.
I hope you were speaking tongue-in-cheek whe you said you were giving Eddie credit for consulting with Council beforehand on the pool scheme. Really? He gets credit when he follows a prescribed and expected procedure? I think it is sad that we start handing out bouquets when elected officials act in a manner that is the expected norm instead of rushing madly off in all directions.
The worst part about the whole pool plan is the perceived necessity for such a venue. It’s a requirement for hosting the Children’s Games? But then it is not a requirement? Do we need the pool? Do we need the games? Or do we need to get our fiscal house in order?
The problem with the games is that cost over-runs of hosting have to be guaranteed by the host city as part of qualifying to bid on the games. Do these games ever make money? I would guess not if that rider is part of the policy. Or are the losses from the games worth it to “put Windsor on the map”?
“Really? He gets credit when he follows a prescribed and expected procedure? I think it is sad that we start handing out bouquets when elected officials act in a manner that is the expected norm instead of rushing madly off in all directions.”
Yes – it does demonstrate the ridiculousness of it, doesn’t it?
It’s been an amaziing ride for Windsor in the last 6-7 years. Eddie jets all over the place to literally “pay” venues, business to come to Windsor when local initiatives are stepped on ignored or blatantly denied because it doesn’t fit with his master plans or he just doesn’t like them. I’ve had conversations with him and seen how he talks to people.
Sandra was having a glass of wine in Paris while watching Red Bull in Windsor. She could have sat with thousands of others for free on the Drive, live. I’m betting her trip was not on her personal credit card. Ok, I’m being cynical but the amount of money that flows out at taxpayer expense has got to stop.
We elect people to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars and be prudent when spending. $5 million for a one day race and three days practise? Racing time amounted to 42 minutes on Sunday.
Economic impact is 4 to 5 times the amount spent? No analyst in his right mind would give a client those numbers. 1.7 to 2.5 max and the area’s economy has to be a part of the calculations.
One weekend.
Airport was bare.
Attendance was miserable considering Red Bull’s reputation around the world.
Meanwhile Summerfest literally had to fight for assistance from the city.
The mayor is in talks with Washington? Please, he does not represent Canadain interests, only his own.
Him and jeffrey made an announcement about the airport,
Don’t know who,
Don’t know what,
Don’t know how much.
Can’t tell us anything else other than Eddie is pushing airport development at an extremly high cost. What relationship does the airport manager have with the Francis family? Just curious.
Infrastructure money is nice, but we still have to pay it back, somehow, someway.
Higher taxes anyone?
Let’s raise the CPP says Dwight.
HST creates jobs! If it does then double it. I want to work as well.
Toss in some really suckly and wet kisses from the local media and all of a sudden Windsor has a majestic saviour that can boast millions in thought projects while watching the highest rate of unemployment in Canada cause the most bankruptcies ever seen in this area. Houses are crumbling two blocks from the multi-million dollar casino.
The bubble is going to explode. Literally.
Give Eddie credit?
You bet.
Wooden nickels are cheap credit.
Hold the next G20 at the Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum for the criminally insane.
We’ll hang some balloons and tell them it’s a party, then lock the doors.
Diagnosis: Megalomania and delusions of grandeur.