Debora van Brenk in the Thursday, July 20, 2006 issue of the
London Free Press
.... detractors have begun a petition asking council to delay it until an independent body confirms the town can afford it and the community can vote on it.
The project is "admirable," said accountant and petitioner Andrew Atlin, but, "they're putting it on the backs of local taxpayers."
He said the town can't afford both the Pyramid Centre and other important municipal projects that will inevitably arise in the next several years.
Unless council levies double-digit tax rates, he asked, "How are they going to find the money to pay for it?"
Donal O’Connor in the Thursday, July 20, 2006 issue of the
Stratford Beacon Herald
With a construction start just two weeks away for a $14-million arena expansion and improvement project, a group of residents here is mounting a campaign to scuttle the plan — at least until after the municipal election.
The residents’ group, led by accountant and former town councillor Andrew Atlin and businessman John Munro, says the project is unnecessary, will saddle the municipality with too much debt and will cripple the town’s capacity to handle other needed projects.
“Our aim is to stop ’em — to get them to delay sufficiently that people can have an honest debate, look at the numbers, figure out a way that it can be done … or can’t be done,” said Mr. Atlin in an interview.
Andrea Macko in the Wednesday, Juy 19, 2006 issue of the
St Marys Journal Argus
The group believes that there has not been enough public dialogue on the project -- that residents have not fully had their say on the issue.
But the main concern for the group is the amount of debt the Town is undertaking for the project (approximately $14 million), and that it will leave the town "ham-strung," according to Atlin, who's a chartered accountant.
"The town is in an excellent financial position right now," he says, with roughly $7 million in debt -- well below the allowable $25 million by the Ontario Municipal Board.
He believes, however, that once the rec centre expenses are added on, it leaves little room for additional projects or unforeseen projects the town may have to take on in the future.
Atlin likens the situation to owning a home. "Do you make the general repairs, like fixing a leaky roof and other maintenance, or do you put in an Olympic-sized swimming pool?"
Debora van Brenk in the Tuesday, July 25, 2006 issue of the
London Free Press
A citizens' group planning to speak to town council tonight says it has amassed 1,000 names ... opposed to the new arena and indoor pool.
And if council doesn't heed its concerns and slow down, the group may seek a court injunction, said group leader Andrew Atlin.
"Clearly the tax burden is going to be onerous," Atlin said yesterday.
He said the project ... is too ambitious.
"(It) could bring us considerably to our knees" and leave the community unable to afford road, bridge and waterline repairs .
Paul Cluff in the Wednesday, July 26, 2006 issue of the
Stratford Beacon Herald
A residents group ... say the project is unnecessary and will burden the municipality with too much debt and cripple the town's capacity to handle other needed projects.
(Andrew) Atlin said last night they have more than 1000 signatures in only six days from those opposed to the way council has approached the project and they plan to gather more names.
Council will review the information and get back to the group.
Robert Roth in the Friday, July 28, 2006 issue of
Inside Stratford /Perth
A St. Marys citizens group has launched a campaign to halt construction of the multi-million-dollar Pyramid Project recreation complex.
The group, which appeared before St. Mary's Town Council Tuesday night, wants the project - an upgrade and expansion of existing arena facilities - delayed until there is more public input.
However, councillors failed to act on the request and told the delegation they would get back to them.
The citizens group says it will come back to the next council meeting armed with a petition that already carries more than 1,000 names demanding council put the brakes on the complex.
The group declined to pass on the petition to council Tuesday because organizers are confident they can pick up even more signatures.
"I think the mayor only got 1,300 or 1,400 votes and we're pretty close to that with our petition," noted Andrew Atlin, one of the organizers and a former councillor himself.
Atlin said the lack of comment from councillors after his 15-minute presentation Tuesday "was actually quite rude."