Zurich Citizens News, 1971-09-23, Page 40PAGE 20
ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS
•
County study use of CFB Clinton
(by Shirley J. Keller)
Members of Huron Coup, ty
Council admitted Thursday
they are interested in the Crow':
Assets Disposal Corporation
offer of the utility services -
free of charge - at Canadian
Forces Base, Clinton, but also
expressed doubt that the tax-
payers of Huron County could
afford to operate the facilities
after receiving the gift.
The offer was made to the
county by A.B. Hamilton of
the Lands and Building Division
of Crown Assets Disposal Corp-
oration.
In a frank discussion with
county council, Hamilton trac-
ed the chain of events since the
federal gomernment announced
in 1969 that the base would be
closed in September 1971.
Hamilton said the first step
was to try to find some other
use for the base on a govern-
mental basis for the desire of
government was to produce a
minimal amount of detrimental
effect on the community.
Hamilton reported that the
base is self-contained with the
services there all centralized so
that no part of the base is really
functicnal unless the central
utility system is operational.
"The base can't be subdivided
stated Hamilton. "There are
any number of types of organiz-
ations that can use parts of the
base,."
"Can the people of Huron
County take on and operate the
municipal services?" asked
Hamilton bluntly. "We would
be prepared to turn over all
these facilities without charge,
to the county of Huron if you
would be interested in taking
over the utility services on the
base. "
Hamilton said that when no
government agency expressed
interest in the base --although
there were hopes of some sol-
ution along these lines at one
time - the property was offered
for sale to the public. Bids
are to be into the Crown Assets
Disposal Corporation by Oct-
ober 14 and would be opened
the following day.
Hamilton strongly outlined
his position, that of disposing
of the base at the best possible
price so that the people of
Canada would recover as much
money as possible from the
sale, but also to have concern
for the type of use to which the
base would be put following
the sale.
He indicated that if private
bidder offered a fair price for
the entire base, and his intent-
ions for the facilities looked
solid, reputable, and of value
to the people in the community
of Huron, the deal would likely
be closed.
If, on the other hand, the
bid was not too high and it ap-
peared as though the base might
be turned into a waste area of
no particular value to anyone,
it would be highly doubtful if
the bid would be seriously cons -
OLIO F Sat.2
idered.
Hamilton stressed the fact
that the federal government was
anxious that the base be put to
some useful purposes and that
the buildings and facilities
already established at CFB
Clinton be properly utilized for
the benefit of the people of
Huron County and the province
of Ontario.
When questioned by county
councillors concerning the cost
of operating the base, Hamilton
said the cost factor would depenc
upon who operated the base
and to what use it was being
put.
He said he wasn't hedging on
the issue, but added that it
would not be a fair comparison
to estimate the cost to the fed-
eral government for maintaining
the base while in full operation.
"When the federal govern-
ment operates a base, it oper-
ates a base, " said Hamilton.
He suggested that the services
provided on a government mil-
itary base were different than
those provided in the average
municipality.
Also present at the meeting
,was Don Southcott, executive
secretary to Hon. C,S, Mac -
Naughton who was unable to
attend because of a bothersorne
feat injury.
Southcott claimed that Ham
ilton's presentation to Huron
County Council was fiat. How-
ever, Southcott went on to
explain the Ontario govermment§
position in the matter.
After the Ontario govern-
ment's involvment in the base
at Centralia, South cott said,
MacNaughton had written to
the federal government urging
them to give ample warning
well in advance of the closing
of a military base so that the
community would have an op-
portunity to make alternate
plans.
He said the provincial govern-
ment was pleased when the
announcement of the closing
of Clinton came about two years
before the actual shutdown.
From experiences at Centralia
Southcott continued, annual
operation costs amounted to
almost $600, 000 annually as
well as an additional $500, 000
to $600, 000 to repair some
facilities. He said that when a
purchase price was tacked onto
this amount of money, it be-
came a sizeable project and
one which was not all that at-
tractive to the provincial govern
meet.
He said the base at Clinton
could still be of interest to
the provincial government,
particularly in the area of
recreation and youth training,
but that the province would
expect "some consideration
in the purchase price comparabld
to what has been given to other
provinces."
"It is not unfair that at least
Huron be given an opportunity
to indicate its preference of
the kind of use to be made of
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this facility, " said Southcott.
He said that Hon. C , S.
MacNaughton would be eager
to serve on a three-level com-
mittee of federal, provincial
and municipal representatives
who would consider the bids
that came in on the property
at CFB Clinton.
It was noted from the report
of the Huron Development Com-
mittee that the county officials
have already requested a meet-'
ing with federal and provincial
people to discuss the Clinton
base question.
Robert E. McKinley, memb-
er of federal parliament, said
he was sincerely sorry that the
"federal government took so
long to say no" with regard to
whether or not some federal
government department would
utilize all or part of the base
at Clinton.
He said the Clintonhase had
not been offered to the Ontario
Development Corporation free
of charge, and if it had been
it might have been of some int-
erest to them.
McKinley pledged his full
support to a continuing effort
to find a proper solution to the
dilemma at Clinton.
Another speaker, Major
Frank Golding who is charged
with the responsibility of the
caretaker staff at CFB until
the premises is disposed of,
said the buildings are partially
heated and that a staff of about
36 people is keeping the base
in good repair,
Deputy -reeve Gerry Ginn, of
Goderich Township, said that
he felt the county should ack-
nowledge the proposal of Crown
Assets Disposal Corporation
with interest, He said the mat-
ter should be thoroughly studied
by the County Development
Committee and that the proposal
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1971
should not be dismissed lightly
as too costly.
Reeve Elgin Thompson, Tuck-
ersmith, the township in which
the base is located, agreed but
urged county council to get
behind the provincial govern-
ment in its desire to have comp-
arable assistance from the fed-
eral government as has been
given in other provinces.
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