Council welcomes pool donation

By J.W. Schnarr
Vauxhall Advance
jwschnarr@tabertimes.com

Vauxhall council welcomed the news of a large donation made by the Municipal District of Taber for the Vauxhall Public Pool project during their last council meeting.

“We’ve got a motion,” declared Mayor Margaret Plumtree, during council’s regular meeting on June 20. The $200,000 resolution will be included in the M.D.’s 2016 budget.

Plumtree said the initial request made to the M.D. involved a fund-matching agreement, but M.D. council decided instead to donate a set amount, in a similar fashion to the arrangement made with the Town of Taber when the Taber Aqua-Fun Centre was built in the early 1990s.

“They decided not to do price matching with us,” Plumtree said. “They decided just to do a flat amount. From my conversations, if anything comes up or is needed, they would be open to hearing us out.”

‘Is that because they didn’t get enough information?” Coun. Linda English asked.

Plumtree said the number was the same amount donated to Taber.

“That’s what they based it on,” she said.

She added the M.D. is a large place with a broad number of needs in different areas, and the number arrived at by the M.D. would have to be considered against those needs.

“It could have been zero,” said Coun. Christie Sorensen.

“We can use anything that anyone is willing to give,” said Plumtree. “So, $200,000? I’m happy.”

With the M.D. budget completed for this year, the donation will arrive as part of next year’s budget plan. Deputy Mayor Richard Phillips said he was interested in providing thanks to the M.D. in recognition for the donation.

“When someone gives you $200,000, it’s good form to say thank-you,” he said, adding a letter or appearing in person were two options available. He said it could be possible to simply ask either M.D. administration or members of council that would be more appropriate.

“We need to formally acknowledge their contribution,” he said.

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