Pause $60 million Twin-Pad Arena/Library construction until COVID-19 impact is known.

The Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association believes that the Town of Wasaga Beach should "Hold off starting construction until 2022, leaving the opportunity to assess the impact of COVID19 until the end of 2021." If you support pausing the Twin-Pad Arena and Library project, sign this petition. If you want to add your voice where it will matter, join this association. Please use your Wasaga Beach address if you are a non-resident property owner.

Wasaga Beach Town Council has voted to move ahead with the construction of a $60,000,000 ice rink and library facility despite being denied government funding of $39 million for the project. All of the money will come from Wasaga Beach taxpayers and residential development charges. The Town will take money from current and future reserves and borrow over $31 million to be repaid over 30 years. The reserves will be rebuilt by taxing property owners. The new facilities will operate at a substantial annual loss which will be covered by taxes.

It is a time of great uncertainty for the people of Wasaga Beach who have to pay for this project. There are seniors on fixed incomes, businesses closed or operating with reduced revenues, people living on emergency response benefits, and many on unemployment insurance. Those who are financially secure now can't be certain they won't be affected in the next wave of the pandemic. The timing of this project has been questioned by them in letters to the mayor and on social media. Even enthusiastic supporters of the new facilities have questioned the timing.

The Town says it is in sound financial shape and can afford to build now. But how can we be sure we won't need that financial strength to see us through the pandemic and an extended recovery? Will our residents be able to afford the basic necessities let alone paying for a massive new hockey rink and library? Sign this petition to let Town Council know you want them to hit pause now.