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Bashaw settles on new lease agreement with curling club

Five year term includes utility costs, but no plant repairs or maintenance
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Bashaw council has approved a new lease with the Bashaw Curling Club that may help address the club’s financial burden during its struggles over the past few years. File photo

A new lease with the Bashaw Curling Club came closer to fruition earlier this month.

At the Bashaw town council meeting on June 7, approval of a draft lease was received and was due to be forwarded to the curling club executive for approval and signature.

The initial draft was changed following a question from Coun. Lynn Schultz, who wondered whether one clause might be interpreted as making the club pay for any repairs to the building exterior.

That first clause referred to the town’s responsibility stating, “The property, as now established, on the site as described, but with no further improvements to the building.”

Schultz said, “It’s not up to (the club) to maintain the building’s outside and this kind of tells me that they are.”

Mayor Penny Shantz wondered if the clause could be made more clear with CAO Theresa Fuller noting it has never been the intention for the club to pay for building maintenance.

“It was the most recent repairs done to the ice plant that led to the question and administration needed some clarity,” she said.

“This lease is meant to serve as a tool between the club and council, for administration to not have to come to you for every decision.”

Currently, the club is paying 33 per cent — averaged out annually — of the utility costs for the operation, start up and shut down of the ice plant.

Schultz added, “The club has been paying their fair share and I know they are struggling, so if we can be of any help by not charging them to maintain the ice plant then I think we should.”

One suggested change was that the club not be obligated to pay for ice plant repairs, but the final wording of the clause stated the town will provide, “The property, as now established, on the site as described, with basic maintenance of existing structure.”

Council then decided on a five-year term, as opposed to a 10-year or non-expiry lease, feeling that a mid-range term would provide the opportunity for stability while also lending the next council the chance to look at it and possible changes to be made.

Arena rental

Also at the meeting, council deferred any further discussion about cutting the Bashaw Pickleball Club a break on the $30 per hour off-season arena floor rental rate for the summer.

The issue became moot and the town pulled back on talking about it, since the club notified town staff it will not be running any sessions between May and August. The club cited a lack of members wanting to participate, due to being away and the various other summer activities people are involved in.

However, the topic will be back on council’s agenda later this year with Coun. Rosella Peterman making the suggestion, “It would be good to review it before we are approached next year.”