County kicks in $20,000 for village recreation

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

After pointing out flaws in the county’s recreation funding formula, the Village of Kingston is getting some assistance from Kings County to help cover the costs of a recreation co-ordinator.

County councillors Wayne Atwater and Diana Brothers dropped into the village commission office July 10 to share late budget details that will see the county contribute 50 per cent of an employee’s wages and benefits, to a maximum of $20,000. “This is a first-time project, one that really happened in large part because of the persistence of Kingston commissioners,” said Atwater.

The county has signed the new, one-year deal as a partnership with Kingston, Aylesford and Greenwood villages. Kingston is the only village of the three that offers after-school recreation programming for youth, which students from the other two villages can take part in. “This isn’t a new issue,” said Brothers, “but we think we have found a new solution.”

She added a consultant has been hired to conduct a review of the county’s recreation funding formulas, and she anticipates “big changes are ahead. “Recreation is becoming more of priority for all levels of government - it’s no longer just about fun and activity, it’s about better health of the population.”

Atwater credited Kingston commissioners for playing “a big role" in getting the county to review its funding formulas. “They approached us wanting to know why they weren’t getting their fair share. We had to address that,” he said, pointing out the agreement received the unanimous support of all county councillors.

Three years ago, Kingston received funding for an active living co-ordinator through the provincial Active Kids Healthy Kids initiative. That funding is no longer available, and it left the village struggling to find funds in its tax base to cover the costs of staff and programs. “The province really dropped the ball on this one,” said Brothers. “They can’t just come in and establish programs, then expect villages to have the funds to keep them going after they pull out.”

The county’s recreation funding review is expected to be wrapped up this summer. “I am confident when (the review) is done, it will be good for Kingston/ Greenwood,” predicted Brothers.