By Thia James

COUNCIL ROUNDUP: City manager apologizes for statements about Field House roof leaks

Jul 15, 2014 | 6:30 AM

City manager Jim Toye has apologized for his previous assertion that the leaking Alfred Jenkins Field House roof is in part due to “poor workmanship” by a contractor.

Toye told members of council that his comments were incorrect and after meeting with the contractor he said it and officials were working towards an acceptable resolution.

After Monday’s council meeting, Toye said he visited the site as part of his investigation.

“It was very clear to me that the issues we’re having at the facility were not workmanship related, so I did have a discussion with local contractors regarding a resolve and we’ve come to a mutual agreement on what that resolve will be. So, they’re going to have a re-look at the facility of the areas where we’re having problems,” he said.

A report filed by administration had cited “poorly installed” curbing as one of the factors behind the Field House’s leaking roof.

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But Toye is now pointing at other possible causes, and said it looks like the leaks may have been related to the product used. “Again, there’s a couple different things it could have been, but it certainly wasn’t workmanship related.”

It will now be up to the contractor to come back to the City with options regarding the work that may need to be done to fix the roof.

The Alfred Jenkins Field House repair was part of a package of funding for roof repairs approved by council. Council agreed to put $15,000 towards the Field House, as well as $5,000 for the Art Hauser Centre and $15,000 for the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club.

But Toye said that amount of money from the City for the Field House may not be required.

“That’s what we’ll find out at the end of the day, but I’m pretty sure that that $15,000 will not be required.”

He expects to have further discussions with the contractor by the end of this week.

No public money for events where alcohol’s served, elected officials say

Prince Albert’s city council wants to make this point clear: it won’t approve taxpayer-funded support for events where alcohol is served.

Although no such motion or item was on Monday evening’s agenda, many members of city council made it clear that they would not be in favour of sponsoring such events. At the time, council was discussing its sponsorship of the 2014 Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

The event is scheduled to take place on Friday evening at the Art Hauser Centre.

Coun. Ted Zurakowski said he was in favour of supporting the event as a whole and approving the $2,500 to support it. He was, however, concerned that the host committee was asking the City to sponsor its wine and cheese event.

“And to me, frankly, I think we’re past those days where we sponsor an event where alcohol is involved,” he said.

“I think those days are gone.”

Community services director Jody Boulet said that the City was asked to support the induction reception, and yes, alcohol would be served at the event.

“So I can’t speak further to the fact that there won’t be. There certainly will be alcohol for the entire evening of the event. However… it was presented to the department as sponsorship for the inductees reception.”

Mayor Greg Dionne suggested that the City’s sponsorship not go towards the wine and cheese event but to the general operation of the induction.

“At the end of the day, they [the committee] need $2,500. Whether it goes to the induction ceremony or they find something else to use it for, and move one of the other sponsors there,” he said of being a title sponsor at the wine and cheese event.

He agreed with the assertion that the City’s money should not go towards alcohol.

Council approved sponsoring the overall event.

In other news…

-Mayor Greg Dionne has proclaimed July 18 Nelson Mandela Day.

-Council has approved a bylaw designating Diefenbaker House a municipal heritage property.

-Council has approved a permit for the 94-unit seniors housing complex on Guy Drive. Administration will also put together a report looking at a possible extension of Marquis Road and other plans to alleviate traffic in the area with this new major development.

-On the issue of the federal building at 1288 Central Avenue, Dionne said he called the realtor to look into the property. With regard to the possibility of converting the building into a new police station, he said it is smaller than the current station. He added that to refit the building, which he described as like Fort Knox, it would cost the same to re-fit it as it would to purchase it.

-During a discussion of the Diefenbaker Bridge underwater pier inspections, acting public works director Wes Hicks said his department would continue to power wash the bridge annually.

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames