BOYLE — Village of Boyle councillors made an exception to their own rules for a community group request, but have flagged their unique facility rental rules for review in the coming months.
Councillors voted 4-0 — Mayor Colin Derko was absent — to waive the arena rental fees for the Boyle Chamber of Commerce’s upcoming third tradeshow, scheduled for June 14, during their Mar. 19 meeting, a decision which went against the special concessions section of the village’s fees and charges bylaw.
In November, elected officials agreed to waive the Millview Recreation Complex rental fee for three days after the chamber and six other community groups made a pitch to bring Canadian country music headliner Gord Bamford to Boyle.
Related: It’s official: Country star Gord Bamford coming to Boyle this June
“The only reason I would humour going against bylaw for this and approving this one is for the Gord Bamford concert, there’s Angels in Motion, (the Greater Athabasca Community Foundation), the chamber; there’s a lot of groups signed up to profit,” said deputy Mayor and meeting chair Shelby Kiteley.
“The request came from the chamber, but there’s going to be multiple groups that are going to gain from it.”
As per Boyle bylaw, community groups are allowed arena rental fee waiver per year, and despite the many groups helping to organize the June 6 concert, the first fee cancellation request also came from the chamber.
CAO Warren Griffin said while approving the second fee waiver wouldn’t be a detrimental decision, he did advise councillors to consider potential for precedent on two fronts: if community group collaboration should always mean no cost rentals, and feelings of fellow facility funders.
“I’m going to be honest, no one else, anywhere else, gives away their facilities the way we do. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a great thing. It really does, it helps, it goes a long way. It’s what makes Boyle, Boyle.”
But, Griffin said, after implementing a new operational funding agreement with Athabasca County, village councillors have their partners priorities to consider when waiving fees.
“Someday, we will have to replace these facilities, which we’ll be depending on our municipal partner even more so, and in a newer facility I don’t see how we can function by letting community groups get free rentals.”
“It may be very hard for our community groups to take that on when that day comes; it’s not today,” he added. “But at some point a line should be drawn.”
Councillors opted to approve the chamber’s request to waive the rental fee this year, and directed administration to bring the special concessions section of the fees and charges to a policy review meeting.
“I think you’re right that we are going to have to look at this,” said Coun. Barb Smith, who suggested considering a non-profit rate in future revisions. “Any of those conversations, we have to include our partner with that.”
A motion to accept the chamber’s invite to set up a Village of Boyle table at the tradeshow was also passed unanimously, and after declaring tradeshow day, June 14, as Lemonade Day, committed to to judging the Community Futures contest.
“Those kids are tickled when they have somebody who’s important coming in and looking at their stuff,” said Smith. “It’s certainly encouraging, especially to other boards and communities that are sitting around that table that council is supportive.”
