Highlights from Tuesday’s Flin Flon city council meeting:
Open shack
Council was asked to consider reopening the city-owned warm-up shack at the Steventon Boulevard skating rink.
Anita Bradt, who lives near the rink, told council she was informed years ago that the building was closed to the public due to vandalism.
She suggested the building be reopened with neighbourhood parents watching over it and potentially closing it at a designated time each night.
But Coun. Tim Babcock didn’t sound on board with the idea.
“I grew up in that area…and I remember going in there and the lights were always smashed out or people would go in there to warm up and they would actually light a fire in the middle of that building,” Babcock said. “So it’s not safe as it stands. I mean, that’s why 15 years ago it was closed.”
Babcock said that even if neighbourhood parents kept an eye on the building, the city would be liable if something amiss happens.
Mayor Cal Huntley guessed that it’s possible the building does not meet today’s codes, but he said council would have to find out the rationale behind the closure.
Storage sought
Council fielded a request from Annette Last of the Flin Flon Trout Festival for a storage place for a new Trout Festival float.
The float is still in the planning stages, but festival officials want to ensure it will have a safe home once completed.
Asked if there is space available at the city garage, Huntley said “there might be room anywhere” but council would have to investigate the matter before making a commitment.
At the bare minimum, Huntley said, there might be property available on which the festival could erect a Quonset hut for storage, an option Last mentioned.
Mayor hopeful
In his final verbal report of 2014, Huntley spoke optimistically of the year to come.
“I’m very excited to see what 2015 is going to bring,” he said. “We’re seeing some very positive things start to happen in the community.”
Huntley said community events this holiday season, such as the Christmas tree lighting, have all had good turnouts.
“So I think this is a great sendoff into 2015 and hopefully we’ll keep that energy out there and keep moving down that road,” added Huntley, who was sworn in as mayor last month.
Season’s greetings
Huntley and his councillors took turns wishing the public a safe and joyous Christmas and New Year.
Babcock appealed to residents to look out for one another this holiday season, saying he still hears of people racking up impaired-driving charges even though services like Operation Red Nose are available.
“Just be smart and have a safe Christmas,” he said.
Coun. Leslie Beck said she and her friends used Operation Red Nose over the weekend, adding that “there’s no reason for anybody to get behind the wheel of their car” when they aren’t fit to drive.
Coun. Ken Pawlachuk took a moment to commend the Flin Flon Community Choir on its recent Christmas concert, held at the RH Channing Auditorium.
