Town prepares for rink takeover

SACKVILLE, N.B. - The town is getting set to take over the reins of the civic centre from the facilitys board of directors next week.

Sackville CAO Barry Carroll told town council during its regular monthly meeting April 10 hes been meeting with members of the Tantramar Veterans Memorial Civic Centre board to establish final steps in the changeover - from the board administration to town management -which will take place May 1.

As well, he noted, parks and recreation personnel have been meeting with the staff members of the civic centre to discuss the new duties that will be involved as a result of the takeover.

As of next Tuesday, the towns parks and recreation department will be housed at the civic centre facility. This decision came following a review last fall of the operations of the parks and recreation department and the civic centre.

Sackvilles existing recreation facility in the downtown, which was built in 1967 as a centennial project, is now 40 years old and in need of replacement.

Council decided it would be best, although admittedly not more cost-efficient, to combine the operations and budgets of both facilities to centralize all of the towns parks and recreation services. It was noted in treasurer Michael Beals monthly report to council that a draft budget for the civic centre has been completed and is under review

Sackvilles parks and recreation department staff - including a newly-hired manager of recreational programs and special events, and a manager of parks and recreational facilities who began working for the town on April 2 are preparing to move into their new home next week and town officials expect the transition will be a smooth one.

Carroll said the space at the civic centre will be reorganized to accommodate the additional staff. ADI Ltd is completing the design and spec work for the renovations, which will see an office suite completed in the rear of the building that is currently being used for storage. The main office will be sectioned off into two offices and a workroom. The tender for the renovation work will go out within the next week.

Meanwhile, the civic centre is starting its spring season with a busy schedule which has already included a regional skating competition and an RV show. Upcoming events include a flyball competition and the start of another lacrosse season.

We anticipate a busy summer with some of the old, and hopefully some new, events, says Joyce ONeil, liaison councillor for the civic centre.