The Citizen, 2001-04-25, Page 7Graduation
Sharon Godkin, daughter of
Marion and Lavern Godkin of
R.R. 1, Walton, having
successfully completed the
uniform final examinations,
took part in the Annual
Convocation Ceremony of the.
Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Ontario, held in
Toronto on 'Febrary 17, 2001.
Sharon is a former graduate of
the Honours Bachelor of
Business Administration
Program at Wilfrid Laurier
University in Waterloo and
Seaforth District High School.
She is employed with PKF Hill
LLP, Chartered Accountants in
Toronto. Attending the
Convocation Ceremony were
her parents, Mike Paterson, his
parents and irandparents of
Toronto.
=11•1111111111M 111•11:1114"
Let the the games begin
With its official grand opening this past weekend, the North
Huron Wescast Community Complex had the opportunity to
show off what years of hard work and dedication haye
achieved. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Ins
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2001. PAGE 7.
N. Huron enters into lease or ttness equipment
By Margaret Stapleton
Wingham Advance-Times
Acting on a recommendation from
its director of recreation and facili-
ties, North Huron council has
entered into a three-year lease of
equipment for the fitness centre at
the new North Huron-Wescast
Community Complex.
In his report to council at its sec-
ond monthly meeting, Dan Cousins
recommended the proposal from
Life Fitness at a cost of $3,000 per
month, with a 10 per cent payout.
Cousins said the package includes
20 pieces of equipment for cardio
exercise, strengthening and free
weights.
All told, the equipment is worth
$78,000.
Some smaller, "studio" items,
such as free weights, also have been
purchased at a cost of $2,500.
At last week's meeting, Councillor
Archie MacGowan said the
complex's advisory board was aware
of the proposal and "is tine with
it".
However, Councillor Murray
Nesbitt said even if the municipality
had to borrow the money, would it
not be better to buy the equipment
outright for $78,000, rather than be
tied in for a three-year lease at
$36,000 per year or $108,000 over
the term of the lease.
MacGowan explained that some
of the equipment would become
obsolete and rather than be stuck
with capital equipment, he said he
believes it is better to roll it over
every three years.
A brief period was spent dis-
cussing rates for the fitness centre
and pool area. However, as of last
week's meeting, Cousins did not
have any hard and fast figures,
although he said he would have them
for the complex grand opening last
Saturday,
Cousins says the fitness centre is
expected to attract 300 to 500 mem-
,By Margaret Stapleton
Wingham Advance-Times
The three municipalities which
now comprise the Twp. of North
Huron all ended the year 2000 with
budget surpluses, council learned at
.a special meeting held last Thursday
evening.
North Huron Clerk Administrator
John Stewart says the Town of
Wingham, Village of Blyth and
Township of East Wawanosh are
recording surpluses of $150,746,
$36,947 and $80,100 respectively.
Unlike other years- when ,these
municipalities might have been able
to apply surpluses to operating budg-
ets to keep tax increases to a mini-
mum, this year all three municipali-
Over 30 boys and girls from the
Blyth area learned how to play hock-
ey and had fun when they joined the
non-competitive Blyth CRC Tykes
hockey team.
The team met every Saturday night
to be coached by volunteers. The
boys and girls, ranging in age from
five to 11 learned basic skating skills
and capped each practice session
with a game amongst themselves.
The team was formed when mem-
bers of the Blyth Christian Reformed
Church decided to purchase ice time
in order to teach their children how
to play hockey and enjoy the game in
a non-competitive environment.
Families ..from the Clinton Chr'stian
Reformed Church also joined. When
the ice became too crowded, families
nearer to Clinton decided to form
their own team using ice at the
Baytield arena. Each family paid a
fee to cover ice rental costs.
Children new to the sport learned
how to skate and handle a puck while
others who were strong skaters and
knew the game sharpened their hock-
ey skills. All the children were taught
to respect their fellow players.
bers. Even if 300 members paid
$300 per year, Cousins said, it would
generate $90,000.
"We will be on the positive side,"
he assured council.
MacGowan said he believed 300
members is probably a, conservative
figure, given the number of people
who drive out-of-town to attend fit-
ness centres.
Staff will have to be hired for the
fitness centre, Cousins told council,
including a co-ordinator (probably a
contract position) and some support
staff.
He is proposing that it be open
ties are starting at zero and with a
clean slate.
Each will contribute a set amount
to the working capital reserve of the
new municipality, determined by
weighted assessment, If they wish,
they may apply their surplus to that
amount.
Council also is currently working
toward setting its budget for the
coming fiscal year, with a meeting
slated for April 30 to hammer out
budget details.
In addition to complications pro-
vided by amalgamation, Stewart
notes there is a provincial re-assess-
ment this year, which has seen a shift
in property values and will undoubt-
edly result in some tax increases,
particularly to farm and residential
encourage each other and treat one
another with kindness.
Helping to instill these attitudes
were coaches Karl Boven, Mike
Siertsema, Calvin Bakelaar,
Raymond Verburg, Luke Bouman,
Bert Sjaarda, John Bos and Gary
Nonkes. Helping them were Steven
Van Amersfoort, Bradley Bouman
and Matthew Bylsma.
from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to
Friday to start.
Councillor Jeff Howson asked if it
might be open 24 hours a day at
some point, to which Cousins
replied there has to be some assur-
ance that the equipment is being
used properly.
"We're looking at any or all
options," added MacGowan.
Also at last week's meeting, coun-
cil approved the purchase of some
maintenance equipment for the com-
plex, including a floor scrubber,
safe, vacuum cleaner and garbage
containers at a cost of $18,600.
properties.
Stewart says some people may
blame restructuring if their taxes
increase, but it is his hope that
restructuring costs do not result in a
tax hike.
I
Blyth CRC kids
learn hockey skills
NH wards finish with surplus
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•
A season ends
An enjoyable first season of non-competitive hockey has ended for the Blyth Christian
Reformed Church Tyke team. (Photo submitted)
474