City Council votes to award Veiner Centre contract to private operator

Friesen stressed that her main concern is the Veiner Centre’s usage. Following the 2013 floods, the facility underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion that was completed in 2018. Since then, the centre has dealt with declining membership.

“I’ve got to tell you, my biggest fear is that if we don’t get more people participating and enjoying opportunities in the seniors centre, that council will have no choice but to consider repurposing it, that is the bottom line for me, and so that is why I am going to support the recommendation because I believe trying this gives us a better chance of sustaining that centre into the future,” Friesen said.

The city says the move will save $190,000 in costs, a figure that Coun. Kris Samraj took issue with at a previous meeting when the proposed savings were originally earmarked at around $400,000.

When pressed about the difference in projected savings, and whether it was worth the work of switching operators, Mayor Ted Clugston said savings are savings.

“We are asking this of absolutely every division in the city. We are asking parks for cuts, we are asking for voluntary retirement, we are asking for the police to cut, and the firefighters. You have been watching the social media campaign with the firefighters and so we are not asking anything different of the Veiner Centre than we are asking really anything else in the city,” Mayor Clugston said.

But privatization of the Veiner’s centre could mean possible layoffs for some city staff, according to CUPE 46 Vice-President Jason Fenske, who said up to 10 employees could lose their jobs.

“The biggest thing I heard tonight from the Councillors when they were speaking was they’ve never given the city and its employees a chance to make this work and yet they are going to go with a Kerby Contract,” Fenske said.

Fenske said the union tried to convey to city management that savings were obtainable from within, but they were met with pushback.

“We showed them where we could have some savings, we showed them where they could create some revenue. We reiterated the fact that they have not been given a fair chance,” Fenske said.

Under the proposal submitted by Kerby Assembly, all existing programs and services will remain intact, including Meals on Wheels. Additional programs in wellness, lifelong learning, and transitional supports will also be provided.

Kerby Assembly could take over operations in as little as three months, according to city staff.

by Tiffany Goodwein

City Council votes to award Veiner Centre contract to private operator

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