Town of Barrhead councillors have some questions they would like answered before they decide to approve an agreement for the naming rights of the Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre.
Councillors unanimously voted to defer a decision citing they needed more information about the costs involved in changing the name during their Feb. 13 meeting.
The subject first came before council Jan. 23 when administration brought forward a proposal from the local Elks chapter who said they would donate $150,000 to the Barrhead and District Agrena Society’s fundraising efforts, which went towards the construction cost of the $12.178 million facility, in exchange for the 25-year naming rights of the building.
This is on top of the $100,000 the service club donated in September 2016 in exchange for the 10-year naming rights of the facility’s competition pool.
When the donations are added together it automatically put them into the category for the naming rights of the facility.
Council decided to delay the decision to the Feb. 13 meeting so administration could confirm details with the Elks, such as the exact phrasing of the name.
Chief administrative officer Martin Taylor said the name the service selected is the Barrhead Elks Club Regional Aquatics Centre and they are requesting that the name would be lit.
“I think we are all appreciative of the donation and everything the Elks have done in our community,” said Coun. Don Smith. “But my concern is, and it is echoed by some of the residents who have spoken to me, is the price tag to make the change.”
He then asked if in the agreement there was any accommodation to use part of the existing sign, because the name change would also facilitate a need to renovate part of the front of the building.
“What is the price tag going to look like? At the last meeting [Jan. 23] we heard that engineers would have to be involved and they don’t come at a cheap price. So what looks like a simple name change to our facility ends up a $50,000 touch?” Smith asked. “I know it sounds like a lot of money, but sitting in this chair as long as I have, I don’t think it is out of the wheelhouse.”
Taylor noted council has the option to eliminate the lighting, as it is only a request.
“It is dark six months of the year, so they want a light, but that comes with a cost,” he said.
Smith replied that before agreeing to the change council should know what the cost would be.
Taylor said because the work would need to be done in the summer and that administration was waiting for further guidance, they have not gotten estimates for the work.
Coun. Leslie Penny agreed with Smith saying to go forward with a project without knowing the cost of changing the name.
“We are getting a donation of $150,000, but if it is going to cost us $50,000 it puts a bit of a different spin on things,” she said. “We need to know how much it will cost. Not necessarily exact, but at least a rough estimate.”
