Two years of volunteer landscaping at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts has resulted in what some community groups are calling a lack of community pride.

Upon the recommendation of the Business Retention and Expansion Team (BRET), who say the “poor conditions of the gardens reflects negatively on the town as a whole,” a request was brought forward at town council’s Tuesday meeting suggesting the facility’s board provide council and BRET with a gardening/landscaping plan for 2007.

The Rotary Club has previously committed funds to landscaping, however it’s now holding back some of the money because of the unfavourable condition of the grounds.

“The Stockey board is grappling with budget and costs and we’re aware that volunteers put in time to do good (for the facility),” said councillor Millie Graham. “The concern is the original plan (for the garden) took on an wild look – a natural look – that was maybe misconstrued as being neglect.”

Because of the deteriorating conditions of the of the building – a number of leaks, sinking back deck and damaged shingles – Ms Graham, as well as other councillors said funds should be put towards repairs, not landscaping and gardens.

“(The gardens are) labour intensive, we need people to work on it,” said councillor Jamie McGarvey. “If you don’t have a regular watering system then it looks ratty in a very short period of time. We hope this year to start (planning a garden) much earlier, but on a simpler scale.”

Currently the Stockey Centre is looking into hiring someone to perform spring clean up, planting and maintenance throughout the summer, said Stockey executive director Lynn McGuigan.

“Trying to run (the gardens) with volunteers over the past two years has clearly not worked,” said Ms McGuigan. “The centre is considering a trade in service, with a local company right now, where they would do the bulk of the work in exchange for tickets to shows and cost of supplies, but (we) are unsure if that is going to fly. If it doesn’t, quotes will be sought from local companies who do yard work.”

Councillor Conrad van der Valk agreed, saying that there’s a possibility the town’s parks department could assist in gardening and maintenance.

“Complaints (like this are like) a slap in the face to the number of dedicated people that work (and volunteer) at the Stockey,” said Mr. van der Valk, adding that instead of pointing out landscaping issues, people could help make the situation better.

“We all sit at the budget table and we know the appetite of the centre,” said councillor Paul Borneman. “I think we should remove (the date) 2007 (from the wording of the resolution), it’s a luxury, not a necessity. The roof leaks, there are other infrastructure problems, if (gardening and landscaping) doesn’t get fixed into the budget, then so be it, there are other more pressing needs.”

Mr. Borneman’s move to strike out this year as the deadline for the landscaping and gardening plan was seconded by Mr. McGarvey and passed by council.

In the absence of Mayor Richard Adams, Mr. van der Valk was appointed to the mayoral chair for the Tuesday evening meeting.

source : www.parrysound.com