Simcoe, ON – Norfolk County is looking for community organizations or private groups interested in operating or supporting a community hall or arena.
Council voted unanimously to offer the facilities to community groups or other organizations during 2020 budget deliberations, with the goal of reducing the burden on local taxpayers.
The County will issue a call for submissions at the end of June that would allow these groups to propose creative options that would address the long-term financial sustainability of these facilities. Submissions will be accepted until September 29.
It has also proposed two options for potential proponents to consider: a facility operator licence and a community partnership arrangement.
The facility operator licence option would see a group licenced to operate a facility for the benefit of the community – and in accordance with its current designated use – for a period of five years, at a nominal licence fee of one dollar per year.
Under the community partnership arrangement, a group would be responsible for increasing revenue for a specific facility through sponsorships, new programming or other fundraising initiatives.
Groups with other ideas will be invited to submit alternate proposals for consideration.
The call for submissions covers all of Norfolk County’s arenas, except for the Simcoe Recreation Centre arena, which will house the Simcoe Seniors Centre.
It also covers all halls and community centres except for the Port Dover Kinsmen/Scout Hut, which is home to the Port Dover Seniors Centre, the Delhi Friendship Centre, which will continue to be home to Delhi Seniors, and the Charlotteville Community Centre and South Walsingham Hall, which will be addressed in a future report to Council.
None of the facilities within the scope of this call for submissions are being considered for closure at this time.
All submissions will be presented to Council for consideration and final direction.
Details are available online.
