Elliot Lake council has approved looking at putting together an initial plan for a shared arrangement to operate Mississaugi Provincial Park with neighbouring First Nation communities.
That framework would be in the establishment of a Mississaugi Park Commission made up of the city and Serpent River First Nation and Mississauga First Nation communities. Any agreement would involve joint sharing of the cost to operate the park and share annual profits or losses.
The planned framework for a possible agreement was presented to council by the city’s economic development coordinator Ashten Vlahovich at council’s regular meeting Monday.
The city currently pays almost $56,000 to operate the park, an expense the city took over after the province called for closure of the provincial park in 2012.
With the approval of council to explore establishing a joint venture to operate the park, Vlahovich stated in her recommendation that “Council notionally approves an allocation of 33 per cent of the net annual operational budget costs for Mississaugi Park to the Park Commission as a startup reserve for operations for the 2019 operating year.”
The joint commission would handle the cost of operating the provincial park and share in any profits or losses.
“Achieving a partnership agreement with our First Nation communities would diminish the burden on the city as all partners would share equally in the costs and rewards of the project,” the report to council stated. “The proposed 2018 operating budget for Mississaugi Park has a net operation of $55,380. All things remaining equal, a three-way partnership would reduce these costs by up to 66 per cent. It is anticipated that operations would remain unchanged for 2018 and the park commission would commence operations in 2019.”
If established, the park commission would present its annual budget to the participating municipalities in the shared operation of the provincial park.
Vlahovich told council that development for a framework has been in the works to pave the way for the establishment of park commission.
Coun. Ed Pearce supported the move to eventually establish the park commission, but also agreed with Coun. Chris Patrie’s concerns about having all revenue raised through park operations, including Lumberjack Days, clearly identified in the park budget. That concern has been raised before my several council members.
“The money raised through Lumberjack Day does go to the operation of the park,” Coun. Patrie said, referring to any money made from events in the park to be considered in any financial consideration of costs.
Coun. Luc Cyr also welcomed the planning for a partnership, but wanted guarantees the final agreement would include provisions to protect the city should the partnership fail.
Coun. Tammy VanRoon said she has always been apprehensive about the city paying for a facility outside the city, but welcomed work in developing a joint agreement with other municipalities.
Coun. Connie Nykyforak said she hoped a new agreement with the other municipalities to operate the park would allow for more accountability of how it is operated.
Mayor Dan Marchisella agreed the plan to establish a joint park commission moves ahead.
Council agreed in a unanimous vote of approval.