Article from Simcoe.com.
A presentation to council by Friends of the Collingwood Central Park Project contained one too many accusations, according to council.
The group brought forward a presentation to once again express their opposition to a decision made by council in August to cover the outdoor pool at Heritage Park and build a new ice rink at Central Park at a cost of about $11.6 million.
"I've encountered many people who were unhappy with the way this decision was made," said Dr. Mike Lewin, who made the presentation to council on Monday, November 5.
A presentation to council by Friends of the Collingwood Central Park Project contained one too many accusations, according to council.
The group brought forward a presentation to once again express their opposition to a decision made by council in August to cover the outdoor pool at Heritage Park and build a new ice rink at Central Park at a cost of about $11.6 million.
"I've encountered many people who were unhappy with the way this decision was made," said Dr. Mike Lewin, who made the presentation to council on Monday, November 5.
He added the process was "short, inadequate, and lacking due diligence."
"It was not a fair and transparent process," said Lewin.
He, on behalf of Friends of Central Park, objected to council's use of sole sourcing for the project (council hired Sprung to cover both the ice rink and the pool) and scolded council for not further exploring the feasibility of the Central Park/YMCA facility.
He told council he hoped they understood that their decision incited controversy in the community and he said the decision was made in the interests of a single business and not the community as a whole.
A further written presentation from Friends of Central Park - included in the public council package - called for a clarification of council's idea of good governance.
"Residents were shocked to learn of the speed of the process, the lack of due diligence, the absence of public consultation, no communication and the fact that the projects were sole sourced with no sound rationale (no competitive bidding process) for work of over $11.7 million," stated the group in its written submission. "Council appears to have created a false sense of urgency around making a decision on the fabric covered structures over the summer months."
Councillors, though they aren't supposed to engage in debate during a delegation, didn't take these comments sitting down.
Councillor Sandy Cunningham said he read the submitted document and thought there were "innuendos and what can be perceived as accusations that are not warranted in a public document."
"It's inappropriate and very disrespectful to this council," he said.
"We acted in good faith and the majority of council thought long and hard about this and we took into consideration the public's point of view... We did what was best for a majority of people in this town based on the feedback that we got and what they could afford."
Councillor Kevin Lloyd asked what scientific data was collected that would allow the Friends of Central Park to speak for all residents in Collingwood.
Lewin returned to the podium part way through council's comments to clarify his comments and the document submitted.
"I'm not in any way insinuating that anything dishonest happened," said Lewin.
"We really feel like the town didn't get a chance to find out what they could have as far as recreational facilities go."
Deputy Mayor Rick Lloyd thanked the Friends of Central Park for their concern on the matter, but said he was worried staff were being mistreated and their resources being wasted on questions that have already been answered.
"Time to put an end to it," he said. "The facilities are being built. The contracts have been let. Enough is enough."
"It was not a fair and transparent process," said Lewin.
He, on behalf of Friends of Central Park, objected to council's use of sole sourcing for the project (council hired Sprung to cover both the ice rink and the pool) and scolded council for not further exploring the feasibility of the Central Park/YMCA facility.
He told council he hoped they understood that their decision incited controversy in the community and he said the decision was made in the interests of a single business and not the community as a whole.
A further written presentation from Friends of Central Park - included in the public council package - called for a clarification of council's idea of good governance.
"Residents were shocked to learn of the speed of the process, the lack of due diligence, the absence of public consultation, no communication and the fact that the projects were sole sourced with no sound rationale (no competitive bidding process) for work of over $11.7 million," stated the group in its written submission. "Council appears to have created a false sense of urgency around making a decision on the fabric covered structures over the summer months."
Councillors, though they aren't supposed to engage in debate during a delegation, didn't take these comments sitting down.
Councillor Sandy Cunningham said he read the submitted document and thought there were "innuendos and what can be perceived as accusations that are not warranted in a public document."
"It's inappropriate and very disrespectful to this council," he said.
"We acted in good faith and the majority of council thought long and hard about this and we took into consideration the public's point of view... We did what was best for a majority of people in this town based on the feedback that we got and what they could afford."
Councillor Kevin Lloyd asked what scientific data was collected that would allow the Friends of Central Park to speak for all residents in Collingwood.
Lewin returned to the podium part way through council's comments to clarify his comments and the document submitted.
"I'm not in any way insinuating that anything dishonest happened," said Lewin.
"We really feel like the town didn't get a chance to find out what they could have as far as recreational facilities go."
Deputy Mayor Rick Lloyd thanked the Friends of Central Park for their concern on the matter, but said he was worried staff were being mistreated and their resources being wasted on questions that have already been answered.
"Time to put an end to it," he said. "The facilities are being built. The contracts have been let. Enough is enough."
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