Council support for Cosmo Lodge restaurant bid

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The Shananigan’s bid was one of four submitted by the Jan. 29,2020 deadline. The winning idea will require taxpayers to hand over nearly $290,000 over the five-year term so operators can make improvements and turn the location into something special. In the fifth year of the contract they will enter a profit-share arrangement with the city.

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“The biggest focus this year is that we’re trying to create an experience for the public and something that’s positive,” the city’s parks manager Tim Yeaman told paNOW after last night’s council meeting. “Sometimes the only way to go about that is to help somebody get established and then, over time, help wean them off of the city.”

Yeaman called Shananigan’s’ idea “a great proposal” and the profit-share deal in the fifth year would reduce their reliance on the city for funding.

The other three bids – from existing operator the P.A. Métis Women’s Association (PAMWA), Big ‘A’ Contacting and Granny Brown’s Catering – came in at costs of between $426,000 and $787,000 for taxpayers and did not feature a profit-share element. In what will be their last year of operations the PAMWA received $75,000 to run the lodge. They have been operating it for 14 years and Yeaman said it was important the city acknowledged all their work over the years.

Shananigan’s has proposed calling their licensed establishment Knotty Pine Bistro. Owner/operator Jen Kindzerski and business partner Barb Lychak intend to make major changes including installing a full kitchen and creating an entertainment space.

“It’s really exciting; there are so many things we can do there,” Kindzerski told paNOW. “I’ve proposed maybe having cabarets there, bring in the user groups, have Sunday brunches, different events we can put on for the clubs in P.A.”

She said she would provide “quality and affordable food,” from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Some councillors raised concerns about the venue being licensed to serve liquor, but the majority were in favour and hoped the location would become a visitor attraction and help put the park on the map.

City maintenance and combatting vandalism

The city will also bring the landscape maintenance for Little Red River Park under the management of the community services department.

In response to concerns raised by some councillors about city crews becoming over-burdened with tasks, Yeaman said the work could be done in-house without sacrificing other duties around the city.

The city received bids of between $187,000 and $341,000 for the maintenance contract over five years but determined it could be managed in-house for under $33,000 per year.

In response to queries from councillors about dealing with vandalism, Yeaman added the 1,200 acre park was a challenge to manage, such as keeping quads and ATVs out.

“We’d like to put measures in place … having staffing during regular hours would certainly help; to keep an eye out, and that would allow patrons to approach our staff and make them aware if there are any issues so we can respond appropriately,” he said.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow