The Municipality of North Grenville took steps to dissolve its lease agreement with Southgate Community Church. A resolution was tabled during Committee of the Whole last night.
The motion, brought forward by Councillor John Barclay, says the municipality will provide a forgivable loan or sponsorship to Southgate, conditional on the completion of an outdoor rink and dissolving the lease agreement between the two parties.Â
The municipality entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Southgate and the Ottawa Senators Foundation back in 2016. Southgate leased a portion of its property to the municipality to build an outdoor rink, with the Sens kicking in $50,000.Â
Councillor Kristin Strackerjan asked for more time to consider the matter prior to passing the resolution. Mayor Nancy Peckford noted a time constraint, due to construction being underway at Southgate. The hour-long discussion ended in a recorded vote, with only Strackerjan opposing.Â
According to Mayor Nancy Peckford, the Sens Foundation is interested in partnering directly with the municipality to build a rink somewhere else. Â
When asked whether there would be legal implications for the municipality, CAO Brian Carré said it would be premature to speculate at this time. Â
The resolution was recommended to council. The final vote is set for August 27.