WESTLOCK - For the first time since it opened in 2012, the Town of Westlock will undertake a staffing assessment at the Rotary Spirit Centre.
The review, which council agreed to via a 7-0 vote, will take a look at the organizational structure, staffing levels, job descriptions, what’s being done well and what can be done to improve, as well as any opportunities for improved efficiencies, at a cost of no more than $10,000.
“Since the opening of the Spirit Centre, there has never been an assessment done on what kind of staffing levels we should have in that facility,” community services director Mike Butler told councillors at their Jan. 13 meeting.
“It’s not that we believe we are performing poorly, it’s more a matter of finding ways to be more efficient and asking how our service levels could be better.”
The review process will include a number of steps including a review of the programming guide, the strategic plan, job descriptions and any other relevant information.
Interviews will be conducted with all full-time facility staff as well as user group stakeholders; and the review will include a comparison with three to five other communities with similar facilities.
Significant variances will be identified and adjusted for.
Coun. Randy Wold noted it was a good idea and mayor Ralph Leriger agreed.
“As you’ll recall, when we opened the facility, the project had been delayed and it was opened rather hastily and we made our best guess and never analyzed it,” said Leriger, noting he had spoken to the firm hired to conduct the assessment, calling it “very impressive.”
CAO Simone Wiley added: “My initial discussions with him were very positive. He has a wealth of experience in the industry over a number of years and I think this is going to be a really comprehensive review of the facility and he will provide us with a report of recommendation and opportunities for the facility as well.”
She said she expects the report would be completed by the end of January.
“We’ve talked about efficiencies and about the opportunities are at that centre several times a year, during my six years on council, so it’s welcome news that we’ve found what you think is the right guy,” said Leriger.
