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Minor hockey seeks input in behaviour bylaw

Representatives of Ponoka Minor Hockey Association have said they would like to see some additions to town council’s proposed behaviour

Representatives of Ponoka Minor Hockey Association have said they would like to see some additions to town council’s proposed behaviour bylaw.

Chad Cissell, Ponoka Minor Hockey Association president and Tim Rowland, treasurer, exercised their right to speak with councillors for two minutes during a meeting March 11.

“Our board is trying to be more proactive with behaviour in the arena,” said Rowland.

He referred to a recent letter to the editor in Ponoka News where Calvin David wrote about a disrespectful hockey fan. Rowland said he received some advice from Ponoka RCMP Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm that some communities include verbal abuse in town facilities, in their conduct bylaws.

Rowland feels this will empower coaches, referees and individuals to use the bylaw as a tool to curb verbal abuse.

“We’d like basically to deal with that type of behaviour,” added Rowland.

He offered assistance should the town request it. No decisions were made by council.

Town buildings open for corporate sponsorship

Town of Ponoka buildings are open for business; not just to offer services but to gain corporate sponsorship for naming rights.

Buildings such as the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex have potential to be named after a company, said Wes Amendt, community services director. He said many municipalities are looking into this as a form of income.

“Every conference I go to now, that’s a hot topic,” offered Amendt.

Some towns hire companies to find sponsorship, he explained.

The policy is called the Ponoka Facility Sponsorship/Naming Policy and is a copy of the Town of Stettler’s, said Amendt.

The policy recommends a five-year minimum for naming rights with these prices:

• The Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex, $50,000 per year

• Ponoka Aquaplex, $25,000 per year

• River Valley Sports Fields, $10,000 per year

• Complex Ball Diamonds, $5,000 per year

• Lucas Heights Sports Fields, $5,000 per year

The large ice surface of the arena is $20,000 per year and the small ice surface is $10,000. Full details can be found by contacting Amendt at the town office.

Kholmann takes two minutes with council

Mayor Rick Bonnett and Coun. Loanna Gulka recused themselves from the March 11 meeting while Ponoka County resident Nick Kohlman and 38 Street resident Bill Kuncio made a request on 38 Street issues. Coun. Carla Prediger chaired while Bonnett was out of the meeting.

Kohlman said he believed the town was going to seek some information from experts regarding 38 Street and requested the meetings be made public.

“Given our involvement in this, we would appreciate the opportunity to sit in and listen to the information that you are being provided. It will assist us,” said Kohlman.

No decisions were made but Prediger said council will take his request under advisement.

Land-use bylaw approved

A request to rezone a property in town to high-density residential district, from multi-family residential, was approved by councillors.

Owner David Clark plans to develop a vacant suite on 3915 46A Street Close, but was unable to under the previous zoning. Betty Jurykoski, planning and development officer for the Town of Ponoka, did not see any issues with the request. “Certainly it’s consistent with the neighbourhood.”

No one raised any concerns during the public hearing except Coun. Prediger. She asks if renters paid with subsidized housing. Clark replied he knew that one tenant was. Council approved the request 6-1 with Prediger voting against it saying, “From my perspective, it’s the management of the suite.”

Councillors receive annual water tests

Water and wastewater tests must be provided to council once a year and this year was the first time in many years that councillors received one.

Dave McPhee, director or operations and property services, said the report provides analysis of water consumption and sewage discharge as well as chemical tests. Chemical results showed no issues.

McPhee said there was some disparity between water consumption and sewage discharge volumes; the former showed 698,535 cubic metres and the latter showed 976,509 cubic metres. The issue is partly due to five water/sewer crossed connections the town has since fixed.

New member of economic development board

Council appointed Bruce Ordze, of Phase 3 Electric, to the Economic Development Board for a period of one year commencing March, 2014 to February, 2015.