The Lucknow Sentinel, 1985-07-31, Page 6Page 6—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, July 31, 1985
"The Sepoy Town"
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1985
PLOP
Thomas Thompson -Advertising Manager
Sharon Dietz Editor
Pat Livingston -General Manager
Joan Helm •Compositor
Merle Elliott -Typesetter
Alan Rivett -Reporter
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New arena requires
everyone's support
The Lucknow Arena Board has decided to build a new
area because they are unwilling to invest any more money
in the present deteriorating structure. The Lucknow District
lions Club has agreed to spearhead the fund raising
campaign. The proposal is to raise one-third of the projected
cost estimated to be $900,000 ifthe new `arena is built ori the.
present site and then approach the provincial government
and W intario for grants to fund the remainder.
Fund raising locally will include pledges from local
service clubs and,organizations which have already pledged
$65,200 and a lottery whichis to raise. $245,000.
Controversy aboutthe decision to build a new arena
within the community threatens to undermine the project.
Many ratepayers from the four municipalities which own
and operate the arena, Ashfield, W est W awanosh,• Kinloss
and Lucknow; do not support the decision to build a new
arena. Many people question the•need for a new arena when
the present structure has not been . condemned. Others
believe the project is just too costly for a community which
has a population of some 7400 people.
Others expect the four municipalities will be left holding
the bag when •. the fund raising campaign doesn't raise
enough money to. pay for an arena • which is 'already being
constructed and taxes will skyrocket to pay the balance
because .government won't contribute its share. •
The building committee and the arena board have been
most emphatic that a shovel will not turn sod on this project'.
until the local portion of, the fundsis raised' and government
has committed its share ',through grants or W Mario. The.
arena is to be built with money' raised' by the local service
clubs, the arena lottery and grants ` from the federal or
provincial and possibly W intario..
For this project to succeed it will take the whole hearted
support of the community. It is the biggest .project this
community has ever undertaken but Lucknow and area have
successfully completed a new community centre which was
paid for by the time it . was built.
These are times of economic restraint and many 'farmers,
in the area are facing brink following a period of high inter
e°St rates, low commodity prices and increased input costs.
But One has only to act as bartender at a function at the
community centre to be surprised just how much disposable,;
cash many people have,despite the cries over hard? times.
The members of the four municipal councils who attended
the fund raising kickoff for the new arena last week did little
to allay fears about the project.. If anything, they eroded the
efforts being made by the lions Club and other organiza-
tions willing to support the fund raising for a new arena.
The reeves of Ashfield and Kinloss talked about it being
an election year and how councils cannot commit :future
councils to debt, which has nothing to do with raising Money
for the 'new arena since it is' not going to be•funded by tax
dollars from the local municipalities. If anything, their
comments incr sed speculation that taxes will be increased
to fund the new arena. '
Reeve George Joynt of Lucknow dug into the past history
about the Controversy the .last time a new arena was
proposed for Lucknow and then proceeded to make sexist
remarks abouthow the birth rate is declining and there may
not be enough boys in future .years to warrant puilding a
new arena.
Lucknow is a hockey town and an arena iS an important
part of the town's recreational services. It will continue to be
the centre of activity during . the' winter season: Lucknow
cannot do without an arena. In case the reeve of Lucknow
hasn't noticed, minor boys hockey teams are not the only
users of the facility. People of all ages, boys and girls, men
and women enjoy a wide range of activities at the arena
during the winter months,
to the summer, the craft festival and fall Nr make
excellent use of the arena floor and if the roof doesn't leak
there are many more activities which could make use of the
arena during the off season.
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St. Helens
time capsule
Many area municipalities have built new arenas in recent'
years and people who use the Lucknow arena are quick to
comment it would be nice to have a modern new facility in
Lucknow. An arena like the one proposed by the building
committee would e an excellent community facility which,
would meet the • eeds for increased dressing room space'
permittin ow hockey' teams to host tournaments...It
would also incorporate the recreatipnai requirements of the
future in a fitness centre and racquetball court. As recrea-
tion director Bill Hunter says, it's time to build for the
future. With the increased amount of leisure time and the
level of participation in physical activities, he, is right.
For the project to succeed it must have the support of the
Community and most certair ly the support bf'the councillors
on the four municipal councils. If they are unwilling to stip-
port. a new arena because they fear losing their seats on
Council in this fall's election, the taxpayers are sure to ques-
tion the decision to build a new arena. If the council mem-
bers are divided or only support a new arena in• principle,
they cannot sit back and expect the lions Club and other
service , organizations to raise the money While they run
around their municipalities telling their neighbours how
they can't support a new arena.
•
•
It is time for the arena board and the members of the four
councils to face the .people on this issue. Call a public
meeting. Stand tip,and tell the ratepayers .why the decision
was made. Lay the reports and the figures on the table and
give the public an opportunity to ask questions and raise
concerns. Provide a forum for public debate,
Last . week's meeting served as ' an opportunity for
individuals and groups who support the arena to come
forward' and look over the plans and then• pledge their
support by quoting how much money they will raisefor the
new arena. It was a meeting of the converted with, no real,
opportunity to voice objections if you opposed the project.
A new arena would be an excellent addition to Lucknow
and a facility all could be proud of. But such' a venture
requires the complete support• of the community to succeed.
S.D.
R edtrees is featured
on page 18