The Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) request for $50,000 from the Town of Ponoka remains tabled.
CAO Brad Watson spoke with PAECS president Terry Jones who requested extra time to bring more information together, Watson told councillors during their regular meeting Feb. 26.
Coun. Doug Gill, who represents the town on PAECS, was away during a planned March 4 PAECS meeting and had Coun. Izak van der Westhuizen or Coun. Loanna Gulka attend the meeting on his behalf.
“You probably won’t have a vote but you can bring information back.”
Since former manager Chas Lambert was fired, president Terry Jones and vice-president Sherry Gummow have been managing the affairs of the building, said Gill.
Coun. Rick Bonnett wanted to know what the board’s direction is now. Gill replied PAECS is working on updating a manager’s job description. He believes the current job description is sufficient but feels any changes made by PAECS will give councillors more information.
The meeting was also intended to decide on equal representation.
Ponoka Elementary School plans
A consultant has been hired to study the feasibility of the Ponoka Elementary School being renovated to accommodate the Town of Ponoka administration offices, said Watson.
There has also been interest from the Gymnastics Club, a daycare and a theatre group to use the building. A report is expected to be completed by March.
Economic development board
Councillors approved the re-appointment of Gary Colyn to the economic development board from Feb. 1 2013 to Jan. 31 2016.
Coun. van der Westhuizen feels Colyn is an ideal candidate to be on the committee. “He has good knowledge of the committee.”
Police planning
Traffic, speed, impaired driving, drug enforcement for marijuana and cocaine, theft from motor vehicle, domestic violence and youth are among the items RCMP Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm has listed as possible areas of focus for police, explained town CAO Brad Watson. Organized crime, assaults and sexual assaults are also listed.
A survey will go on the Ponoka.ca website and in print for about two weeks. “In order to get public input.”
Water leak in washroom
A water leak in the lines in the ceiling of the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex created some damage to the drywall recently. An insurance adjustor was in to assess the damage and provide a quote on repairs, explained Wes Amendt, director of community services.
Snow removal applauded
Coun. Rick Bonnett congratulated Mike Lewis, director of operations and property services, for a job well done with snow removal. “You guys are doing a great job.”
He compared Fort McMurray’s snow removal and feels Ponoka is doing a better job. “Their snow removal plan there is atrocious.”
