By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The C-K Community Hub project, intended to create a new Civic Centre, library and museum in the old Sears building in downtown Chatham, has taken a leap forward.
At its Oct. 21 meeting, council voted 11 to 5 to proceed to the next phase of the project’s development. This includes contracting Architecttura Inc. for $2.1 million to complete design drawings, as well as spending $105,839 to hire a project manager to oversee design and construction.
Yes votes came from Conor Allin, Lauren Anderson, Brock McGregor, Michael Bondy, Anthony Ceccacci, Marjorie Crew, Ryan Doyle, Amy Finn, Aaron Hall, Melissa Harrigan and Mayor Darrin Canniff. Those opposed included Rhonda Jubenville, Morena McDonald, Alysson Storey, Trevor Thompson and John Wright. Councillors Carmen McGregor and Jamie McGrail were absent from the vote.
More than four hours of the meeting was devoted to the hub issue, with the decision coming before a full council chamber. A total of 21 deputations were presented live, both in favour and against.
Spirited applause could be heard in the gallery after the ones protesting the hub were read out.
Moderate applause could be heard when the pro-hub deputations were presented.
The majority opposed to the hub expressed fear about the hub’s potential to cause tax hikes, the potential loss of services such as rural libraries, and a so-called lack of transparency around the process.
Prior to the vote, Architecttura officials provided an overview of the project, offering council and the public a glimpse as to what the hub will look like.
Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey, a staunch opponent of the hub, was blunt in her comments, explaining she’s concerned about the project’s high-level costs.
“This is bad for our budget,” said Storey. “This is bad for our community and this is bad for our taxpayers. I cannot support the needs of the few outweighing the needs of the many.”
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville was another who spoke against the project, calling it “a nice to do, not a need to do,” pointing out it’s a “tragedy” the current civic centre was allowed to deteriorate.
However, councillors in favour of the project were optimistic about the hub.
Chatham Coun. Marjorie Crew voiced her support.
“As a councillor, I look at what is the best thing for our community,” Crew said. “I care about the community. I care about my children and I care about my grandchildren. I want people to want to be here in our community. We need to invest in it.”
West Kent Coun. Lauren Anderson pointed out the municipality must offer more than basic services in order to grow.
“If we don’t have really wonderful things to be proud of as far as our assets go, then there’s no reason for people to come or stay here,” Anderson said.
Chatham Coun. Amy Finn said she confident in the hub’s design as it emphasizes accessibility, noting the planners “listened.”
Chatham Coun. Brock McGregor stressed that libraries and museums are “must haves,” not nice-to-haves, and the new facility will provide improved access to the amenities and services.
South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle, who sits on the Chatham-Kent Public Library board said officials are in favour of the new facility.”
Two amendments to the original motion aimed at financial accountability were introduced by South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci. The first, which passed 14 to 2, directs administration to provide updated high-level costs for upgrading the existing Civic Centre, library (including a 35,000-sq.-ft. expansion) and museum to the same standards proposed for the new hub.
In the second, approved 14 to 3, staff is being directed to incorporate a fixed cost request for proposal once the design is complete to prevent cost overruns. The motion allows council to determine the detailed project costs before moving the development forward.
The meeting heard from chief financial officer Gord Quinton. He assured council the municipality has prepared for the costs and that the project will not lead to a tax increase.
Currently, the cost of repairing the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre is $37 million. After divesting the centre and the library buildings, the municipality is committing to building a new library, museum and municipal operations hub for an additional $6 million.
Funds for the hub’s next phase will be drawn from the municipality’s Buildings Lifecycle Reserve.
Once complete, detailed designs for the hub’s final phase must be approved by council before the request for proposal process begins.
