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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2017-11-23, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017. MVCA shutters Wawanosh Nature Centre By Denny Scott The Citizen The Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) has shuttered its educational facility at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. The site, which has provided educational opportunities for area students for decades, was closed earlier this year. The MVCA announced the decision during a recent North Huron Council meeting. MVCA General Manager Phil Beard explained that the site has been the primary centre for outdoor education through the conservation authority for many years. "We had to close the facility due to structural concerns with the barn portion of the building," he said. "The board is assessing the future of the outdoor education program" Beard said the MVCA is currently operating educational programming out of the Falls Reserve near Benmiller and North Woods Elementary School in Ethel, which features an outdoor educational learning grounds. "We're looking at having more community-based programming," Beard said. The MVCA is trying to consolidate use of its infrastructure and is currently reviewing all its assets, Beard said. "We can't afford to do all the programming we would like," Beard said. He explained the MVCA has purchased a trailer to transport education equipment to schools for on-site programming. The MVCA is also looking at ways to reduce infrastructure costs. North Huron Councillor Ray Hallahan asked for more information on the condition of the building, asking about its future. Beard said there was some concern that it could collapse as a result of a wind storm. MVCA Flood and Erosion Safety Services Coordinator Stephen Jackson said the structure was reviewed by an architect several years ago. The architect said the barn portion of the structure meets the architectural requirements of an agricultural building but not an educational facility. NOVEMBER SPECIAL 10% CASH VALUE COUPON WITH EVERY GIFT CARD PURCHASE OFFER VALID NOVEMBER 7' - 30' Get prepared for Christmas... purchase your gift cards now and receive a 10% cash value coupon GIVE A GIFT AND GET A GIFT! Give the perfect gift... Spa Essentials Gift Card Check out our website for a complete list of services and packages www.spaessentialsblyth.com 406 Mill Street, Blyth 519-523-4793 erEuson, APIARIES re r fowl e,t, 6 WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST HONEY... 1 NATURAL BEESWAX IFSKIN CARE, CANDLES, • GOURMET *.ter= BBQ SAUCE, 4111P�} HONEY SPPADS, HONEY MUSTARD, HONEY BUTTER Thurs. 9-5; Fri. 9-5; Sat. 9-5 HWY. #84 BETWEEN HENSALL & ZURIC 519-236-4979 www.fergusonapiaries.on.ca 200 Josephine St., Wingham ph: 519.357.2550 giftchestgirls@gmail.com www.giftchest.ca 'er every occasion BLANKET SCARVES Christmas Decorations Crossroads Candles Snoozies Slippers Many more great gift ideas Visit us at The Gift Chest! • • u stomer pp .,,!Thursday , November2'3 Saturday, November 2�3 Picard Peanut ° Heated Hose 1695 to '2995 Ice Bear Boots $17999 15°'° off -4044(w Huron Bay Co-operative Inc. 10 off All Regular Priced Winter Workwear Auburn Co-op Auburn • 519-526-7262 Belgrave Co-op Belgrave • 519-357-2711 Beard said the board is looking at ways to deliver services in the structure, but a new building would cost $600,000 and organization doesn't have access to that much capital funding. "The board is trying to take a holistic view of everything," he said. "We are determining what's important and what isn't. We have $500,000 [worth of] flood warning equipment we have to take care of. It's like riding a boat with 100 holes in it and being able to plug 10. We need to decide which holes to plug." Councillor Trevor Seip asked how much of the organization's budget was earmarked for education. "It's under $100,000 and probably closer to $60,000," Beard said, adding that much of that cost is off- set by user fees. "We have an operational budget of $2 million and there is a great need for funds on the stewardship side and the flood forecasting side." Beard said the MVCA has received provincial funding at the same level since 1998. He said the province isn't cotributing a fair share to the partnership. Council received the report about the educational centre as part of a larger MVCA presentation that touched on flood and erosion safety and the Wingham Special Policy Area, a unique space in Wingham that allows some development within an existing flood plain. Jackson said the area is the topic of many questions from developers and neighbours alike. C 14:1011 Christine's Clothes Closet tom' Intimatily Fours Find the perfect holiday gift Sizes 0-24 Bring in a non-perishable food item SAVE THE TAX! 208 Josephine St., Wingham ® 519-357-1051 house of bloom flowers and gifts Bring in a non-perishable food item and your name will be entered in a draw for a Gift Basket Fresh and Artificial Flowers, every day and seasonal home decor, custom fruit and gift baskets, bath bombs and so much more. 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