Huntsville user group requests approved for consideration in upcoming draft budgets
Huntsville General Committee approved recommended user group requests for consideration in the upcoming draft budgets, in the July 24, 2024, meeting.
According to the agenda, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer, Julia McKenzie, recommended, “The capital community and user group budget requests, as approved…be included as part of the Town’s Asset Management Plan going forward.”
Her report outlines the requests for budget consideration as follows:
Outdoor fitness equipment at Avery Beach Park, requested by TriMuskoka. The cost is $97,000 without rubber surface ($134,000 with rubber surface). The applicant is contributing $30,000 in funding and will continue to seek grant opportunities. Other cost will include installation, ongoing maintenance, third party inspections, and signage. According to the staff report, the annual impact to the levy is $7,850.
Pickleball seating and dividers at the existing McCulley-Robertson Park, submitted by Muskoka Pickleball. The initial cost is $5,000, plus $5,000 to cover operating costs, such as maintenance, inspections, set up/down, and staff time. The requester will contribute $5,000 towards the purchase. The annual impact to the levy is $5,500.
Batting Cages at McCulley-Robertson Park (at Diamond F), requested by Muskoka Hornets. The initial estimated cost is $6,500, perimeter fencing $8,000, additional staff time $4,500, signage $500, plus installation, which the cost is unclear at this time. The group is contributing $6,500 from the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA) for the initial purchase of the cage. According to the report, the annual impact to the levy is $5,225.
The Historical Walking Tour Application, by the Huntsville and Area Historical Society. A digitization to the current print format allowing for self-guided, multilingual, audio, and accessibility. The initial operating cost is $2,500 for licencing the app, and possible additional staff time, marketing, and customer service for implementation and ongoing needs. The applicant funded the $2,500 implementation cost. Because it’s a tourist focused app the annual $2,500 operational licencing costs can be funded through the Municipal Accommodation Tax (not the levy).
Cricket Pitch at Lion’s Lookout Field, requested by the Huntsville Cricket Club. The initial cost is estimated at $5,000 for machine rental and materials. The impact to the annual levy is estimated at $250. Staff will investigate other locations, including in potential new developments, without a track surrounding it like at the lookout, and with amenities, such as washrooms and storage, and that will serve as cricket space only.
Pickleball line removal at Meadow Park Courts, requested by the Huntsville Tennis Club. The operational cost is estimated at $5,000, funded through the levy from the Parks operating budget.
According to the report, “The capital costs recommended to bring forward for consideration in the 2025 and 2026 draft budgets [is] $102,000 and $20,000, respectively.”
McKenzie advised that $61,000 will be funded by the user groups, and $61,000 from the Parkland Reserve.
According to her report, the total impact to the levy will be $21,325, not including potential additional staff time.
The report adds, “The amounts to be included to increase the capital contributions specifically as they relate to those assets are $6,325.”
Councillor, Bob Stone, suggested the fitness equipment be placed in locations where children are playing sports, such as soccer, so the parents can use it while waiting.
Director of Community Services, Simone Babineau, advised that the equipment is going in one location for now and staff can work with the group regarding expansion to further locations in the future.
Councillor, Cory Clarke, indicated that he supported the recommendations today, however, “will reconsider when it comes to the capital budget to see where it’s at.”
