Team Shelburne delays youth centre decision

Instead, it was motioned Nov. 27 more time would be needed to bring the matter to each individual council.

A meeting was scheduled for Jan. 9 between Team Shelburne, which helps administrate the site, now called Shelburne Place, for the owner, South West Shore Development Authority (SWSDA) and Shelburne County’s five municipal units and their council representatives in hopes of coming to a decision.

The SWSDA acquired the youth centre building from the province along with $600,000 needed to keep it heated for two years. The building was meant for the “best uses of the community,� according to SWSDA Chief Executive Officer, Frank Anderson.

They had high hopes of selling the youth centre, to no avail, so the money could be divided between the five municipal units to be spent on economic development.

To save money the buildings were put in “cold state,� a cost efficient approach for preserving the building in the short term.

Unfortunately, the building is showing signs of deterioration and Team Shelburne has been advised the buildings won’t be useable after another winter if kept in it’s current state.

Currently, the remaining provincial funds, minus some expenses, totals $426,777.

If Team Shelburne chooses to have the site demolished it will cost the municipalities a sum ranging from $570,000 to $635,000. That leaves a minimum $65,000 deficit that will still be needed just to get them to ground zero.

At the same time, the Municipality of Shelburne may need a new building because its office and parking facilities are inadequate and inefficient, according to staff and it has been reported the municipality might lose such tenants as the Registry of Deeds and Motor Vehicles and, possibly court, justice and other government services.

According to Warden Paulette Scott, these government tenants have expressed interest in the former youth centre site if the Municipality of Shelburne does indeed make the move.

Municipal staff is currently studying the feasibility of moving to the main section of Shelburne Place. Their deadline is Feb. 26.

Time is crucial, as Anderson stated during the meeting, “If you don’t use it, then you lose it.�

Mayor P.G. Comeau said he was “distressed to be courting the idea to bring government services out of the Town of Shelburne.�

Shelburne Place in Sandy Point is a little more than two kilometres from the town.

Yet Anderson sees the need for economic development, with demolition as the only alternative. “That should be the last resort.�

“The only persons wanting the building is us (Municipality of Shelburne),� pointed out Warden Scott, adding that, “a decision has got to be made about the building.�

The Municipality of Shelburne would like to see the remaining money go towards the building and to allow them to make the move.

“I would rather have the taxpayers be seen having dollars used to create something than to be used to tear something down,� Warden Scott said during a later interview.

Warden Scott envisions a greater potential for growth by relocating the Municipality of Shelburne and its government tenants to the 210-acre site that encompasses 50 acres of infrastructure.

The municipality would like to rent out parts of the property for economic development purposes.

Warden Scott said she also envisions such community facilities as a swimming pool recreation complex, “to enhance the community with the extra money generated.

“We’d like to bring whatever jobs we can to bring people here and keep people here. I feel like we have been left out because we haven’t fought hard enough for it. I love Shelburne County and I am positive who we are and what we’re about.�