Roger Varley has been in the news business almost 40 years with The Canadian Press/Broadcast News, Uxbnridge Times-Journal, Richmond Hill Liberal and Uxbridge Cosmos. Co-winner with two others of CCNA national feature writing award. In Scout movement over 30 years, almost 25 as a leader. Took Uxbridge youths to World Jamboree in Holland. Involved in community theatre for 20 years as actor, director, playwright, stage manager etc. Born in England, came to Canada at 16, lived most of life north and east of Toronto with a five-year period in B.C.
Benign neglect is still neglect
Suppose I had a car that I wanted to sell, but it needed some work before anyone would want to buy it. However, not being able to find the money to put into repairs without placing a strain on the rest of my budget, I let it sit idle until I acquire the necessary cash.
Sitting idle, the car deteriorates even more, meaning I now will have to spend more than I originally intended in order to make it attractive to buyers. But since I still can't seem to juggle my budget, it sits a little longer and deteriorates a little more.
Obviously, if I don't fix the car, it will eventually be beyond repair and I will realize nothing for it.
Now take Uxbridge's community halls. They are not for sale - although council has contemplated selling Siloam Hall over the past few years - but they are available for rent. The problem is, two of them - Siloam and Zephyr halls - are having trouble finding renters because of the condition they are in. Siloam Hall is a fly trap with no potable water supply and less than appealing washroom facilities, and Zephyr Hall is also proving to be of little appeal to possible renters because of its condition. Zephyr particularly needs an infusion of cash.
Sandford Hall, the newest of the community facilities, and Goodwood Hall are in much better shape and appear to be doing okay as far as bringing in revenue is concerned.
Nevertheless, they all need money from council in varying degrees. But in preparing this year's budget, the finance committee has decided only $25,000 is available for the halls and each hall board will have to battle with the others to dip into those funds. With such a limited amount of cash available to them, the halls will have to make do, put off necessary repairs and upgrades and slowly slip further into dilapidation.
We've been along this route of benign neglect before.
Years ago, the township of Uxbridge acquired the Leaskdale Manse, former home of Lucy Maud Montgomery. After taking possession of the manse, council rented it out for a while and then let it sit idle. This little jewel, which has both provincial and federal heritage designations, suffered as a result until the Lucy Maud committee took over and began fund-raising and obtaining grants to restore it.
I've spent many an evening rehearsing plays at Goodwood Hall. It is a pleasant facility with lots of room and a large well-equipped kitchen. I've also rehearsed a number of times at Siloam, where the floor has to be swept a couple of times each evening to clean up all the flies that drop out of nowhere. I once attended a fun-filled spaghetti dinner at Zephyr Hall, put on by the Zephyr scouts. And I've spent a little time at Sandford Hall, a bright, spacious building set amid green fields.
Despite their differences, they all serve - or did serve - one purpose: as a focal point for activities in the hamlets in which they are situated. They are - or should be - used as educational centres, social gathering spots, meeting places, whatever.
The current council is of a mind that our community facilities should pay for themselves as much as possible, and I have no quarrel with that. However, there are times when we need to bite the bullet and spend a little money in order to preserve what we have. And we need to preserve our community halls.
Art Latcham understood this. A wealthy and philanthropic Stouffville resident, Art funded the construction of a number of community halls all around the regions of York and Durham. He could have directed his money elsewhere, but he knew the value of a community hall.
On Monday, perhaps realizing the frustration and concern of Zephyr residents, who have volunteered hundreds of hours of their time on projects at the hall, Mayor Bob Shepherd attempted to find dollops of money from various places within the budget to give Zephyr Hall its much needed cash infusion and I applaud him for his effort, even though it was unsuccessful.
It seems to me that somehow, in preparing a multi-million-dollar budget - even in these difficult economic times - someone could have found $50,000 or even $100,000 to go to the community halls. It's not as though it would be throwing money away. It would be investing in valuable community assets.
Tell me, am I wrong?
