Councillors here are not waiving the costs of rink board advertising for the Whistle Stop Preschool Co-op.
Earlier this month, council received a request for the township to consider waiving the annual rink board advertising fees at the Optimist Recreation Centre (ORC).
The recent letter from president Sarah Bailey stated the Whistle Stop Preschool Co-op program, founded in 1987, is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to making a difference in the community and its children.
“We provide the highest quality programs as shown by the number of returning children year after year,” said Bailey.
This year, the group chose to place a sign at the Optimist Recreation Centre Ice Rink in Aberfoyle which officials believe will help keep the community and surrounding areas aware of the program and increase the number of children attending.
Bailey asked if council would support the group by waiving the rental fee of $395.50 for 2014 and in subsequent years as well.
However, it quickly became apparent council was divided on the matter of additional support for the group.
Councillor Wayne Stokley noted that rink board advertising is intended as a potential source of income for the ORC.
“At this point we have already waived the fees for the rental (of facilities) for Whistle Stop. I’m not in favour of raising that amount,” said Stokley.
He suggested the preschool is already saving a considerable amount of money in waived fees for the use of the community centre.
Councillor Susan Fielding supported waiving of the rink board rental fees, stating, “It’s not really an expense.”
She then asked staff if there were lots of available spaces.
The Whistle Stop billboard advertising is the only request received for the 2014 calendar year.
“It is up and it is paid for,” CAO Karen Landry said.
Fielding said, “I know preschools are struggling because of Junior Kindergarten and it’s hard to keep enrollment. I would like to support them because I think it is really important to show support of preschool and education in our community …
“I know they are not rolling in money and this is just another way of reaching out to families.”
Councillor Ken Roth argued that since the township already gives the group use of the community centre room as an in-kind donation, “I think we are doing our fair share.”
Roth added that according to the Whistle Stop letter, enrollment is also up.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt agreed with Fielding. He said this is the first year charging for sign rentals and stressed this was not a cost factor for the municipality – “it’s lost income.”
Mayor Dennis Lever agreed with Stokley and Roth.
“We give them extensive free use of the facilities,” said Lever. Plus, he added, the preschool serves both Puslinch and Guelph residents.
“I think we have contributed fairly substantially to their organization. If they feel like advertising, they should be paying for that portion,” said Lever.
Fielding then asked for a recorded vote.
The denial passed in a 3-2 vote, with Lever, Roth and Stokley in favour and Fielding and Schmidt opposed.
