The Puslinch Optimists are hoping to make a good thing better – with a bit of help from council.
Club member Ken Williams spoke to councillors on Dec. 18 about the potential of reduced rates for the event.
He noted that last year, the club hosted a series of events on the Family Day long weekend to raise money for people who had been effected by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.
In conjunction with those events, the club held a funfilled Family Day celebration for all the residents of Puslinch on the Monday of the long weekend.
Optimist club member Ken Williams said both aspects were well received.
Last year, the club asked for financial assistance on the cost to use the township facilities, and this year, organizers were hoping for something similar.
Williams added that all the Monday Family Day activities on Feb. 17 will be without cost forwhoever attends.
“We are planning a variety of outdoor activities, skating, snow sculpturing, sleigh rides, fire pit and hopefully some new activities provided the weather co-operates. We also plan to have live entertainment in the community centre for the kids on Monday morning.”
Williams explained that because this day is free to residents and is focused on getting families to come out to the community park to enjoy a day of fun together, “we ask council’s consideration on the costs to use the park facilities for that day.” Williams said last year, several hundred people were in the park at the community centre for most of the day.
He noted the reception and silent auction will not be repeated as they were part of a special fundraiser.
“We need full access to all the facilities for the Monday and use of the rink and community centre for the hockey tournament.”
Williams suggested this year’s event would be different in terms of finances.
He noted that because of the special fundraising efforts with last year’s weekend – many services were donated for the cause. This year, some of those same items or services will need to be paid for.
While he said the Optimist Club “would really appreciate being able to have the use of the facilities (for the Family Day Monday) without cost because it is a community event.”
He also asked for council’s consideration of the rink costs for the ice hockey tournament.
Williams explained part of the reason behind the tournament was to cover costs for the Monday community events.
Williams added “We feel the weekend was well-enough recieved last year that it bears to be repeated.”
Councillor Jerry Schmidt agreed the event was “truly a community oriented event.
Were it not for the efforts of the Optimist Club, this type of event would have never happened in the first place.”
He supported the request in its entirety.
Councillor Wayne Stokley agreed that the event was a success last year as he saw the future for more succeess.
Williams goal was to the break even, but if there was any money raised, it would go back into the community.
“Whatever we make on Saturday and Sunday is going to used on Monday’s events.”
While councillor Susan Fielding supported the concept, she said Puslinch faces a number of financial constraints in the coming year.
Fielding said she would like to donate as much as possible, but would like staff to provide an estimate of how much this would cost the township.
Mayor Dennis Lever said some detailing of that cost was available as a result of the previous night’s recreation meeting.
“This is a great opportunity to participate,” the mayor said.
The overall cost for the weekend was just over $6,000 (equivalent rental of the facilities), Lever said.
Lever said the only additional cost would be staff costs for the weekend.
Fielding asked what the impact would be on the budget, since this was not an item dealt with as such before.
Stokely suggested the costs of part-time staff should also be included in the cost.
Fielding asked if the Optimists could be made aware of the amount this represents as a township donation.
“I don’t want to kibosh this financially. But $5,000 to $6,000 is a lot to give up.”
Williams said everyone in the club is well aware of the township contribution to make this happen.
He said even a consideration of reduced rates for the hockey tournament would be appreciated.
“I don’t want to make money off the Optimists but we do
have to recognize our budget restraints.”
Lever said this was only the second year the Optimists were attempting this type of event, and last year was a special fundraiser. He suggested that perhaps any surplus from the weekend event be returned to the township.
Fielding said she’d still like a more concise figure to develop a compromise.
Stokely had no issue providing the facilities.
Williams said the club had no issue covering the cost of the part-time township staff required for the event.
Council authorized use of its facilities for the Family Day weekend events – in additional to waiving fees.
Stokely asked how that would address staffing costs.
Williams responded the club would cover the staffing costs.
