Wawa Municipal Council's endorsed a funding application for efforts to modernize the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.
Speaking during last night's Corporate Planning Committee meeting, Communtiy Services and Tourism Director Alex Patterson noted a structural review of the building - conducted by Kresin Engineering - was now in, and confirmed expectations that work would be required on the roof trusses next year, but also recommended more work on the roof.
Noting the need for the truss work - and not wanting to jeopardize it or the funding application by tying the two together - Patterson suggested making the truss work a separate item to be done next year, noting quotes suggested it would cost about half of the $300,000 previously expected.
He also recommended maintaining the original budgeted amount for the funding application, with an increased amount to be spent on roof work.
Councillor Pat Tait did raise questions about one section of the funding application, in which it suggested possible work for marketing purposes - Patterson explained that the idea was to include something that would increase the likelihood of the funding application being accepted, perhaps an information kiosk in the lobby, but emphasized that the details were being left vague to allow community input to better shape that aspect of the project, as there hadn't been enough time for proper community consultations on it, due to the short application window.
The funding application requires both provincial and federal approval, but - if approved - could see the higher levels of government cover 73.33% of the $3.1-million project - the proposed municipal contribution would be $830,000.