Free rental policy being reconsidered at Bonnechere Valley
Eganville – Free hall rentals at the Eagle’s Nest are increasing and with tighter municipal budgets, Bonnechere Valley council is considering a tighter policy on just when a rental fee should be waived.
“If we are waiving the fees that go towards our rec department, that is something we should review,” said Councillor Brent Patrick last Wednesday. “That is a loss of funds for us.”
The issue was presented as part of CAO Annette Gilchrist’s report.
“After reviewing the rental data, it does appear that there has been an increase in the number of rental fee waivers,” she stated in her report. “I recommend monitoring this annually and should a policy be developed, we should look at thresholds for waivers.”
She suggested the waivers could be for registered charities only or township committees with a reduction for benefits or other groups rather than a 100 per cent waiver.
“Or it could be on an application basis with a capped annual amount,” CAO Gilchrist suggested. “We can also review any restrictions at that time to ensure the community facility is available for community members or events when requested.”
Her report showed in 2023 almost one quarter of hall rentals were unpaid at the Eagles Nest. There were 75 paid and 23 unpaid. In 2022, there were 53 paid and 13 unpaid or 19 per cent unpaid. In 2020 and 2021 there were very few rentals because of the COVID-19 pandemic closures. In those years, the rentals which occurred were paid for the most part. In 2019, the year before COVID, 20 per cent of hall contracts were unpaid.
“It is creeping up slowly,” she told council.
“Is there a threshold we want to put on that?,” she asked
Coun. Patrick said he would like to see a breakdown of what fees were waived for the rental.
“What causes, you mean,” said Mayor Jennifer Murphy.
She noted, for example, they host the Renfrew County Fire Chiefs and this is part of the fire department operation.
CAO Gilchrist pointed out in July last year, the four free rentals were likely the Author’s Festival. She said she could bring back more detailed information for council.
Coun. Parick said there needs to be consistency even with the paid events.
“We aren’t changing anything; we are just looking at the data now,” he said.
Mayor Murphy agreed there needs to be consistency with the policy for rental fee waivers. She suggested the issue be tabled and council look at it again with more information on where the rental fee is currently being waived.
Debbi Christinck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eganville Leader
