WILKIE - The council of the Town of Wilkie passed a motion at their April 24 meeting to accept an $1,866 decrease to the curling club's lease payment but plans to invoice the club for costs associated with cleaning the men's and women’s washrooms at the end of their lease.
Lori Fenrich, the town’s recreation director, received a letter from the curling club along with a cheque to pay the second half of their lease.
“Their full amount, as indicated on the letter there … was $7,993.13 cents,” Fenrich said, noting that due to issues with the ice at the beginning of the year, the club deducted 14 days from their lease and gave the Town of Wilkie a cheque for $6126.23.
Councillor Clarke Jackson inquired about insurance, wondering if the town could get money back to cover the lost revenue.
Lana Gerein, the town’s administrator, noted that the town had tried unsuccessfully in the past after the arena fire in 2015. Administration will look into it further and ask.
“It would kinda be nice if we lose money because of a problem that wasn’t ours, insurance should … we’re losing 27 dollars per day.”
Fenrich also brought another issue to council’s attention, which detailed the state of the bathrooms when the curling club finished their lease.
“...the bathrooms were atrocious … I knew we’d get a letter with their payment just because that seems to be the way they do things at the end of the season,” Fenrich said, adding that it took over five hours to clean the bathrooms.
"Do we bill them for the cleaning costs?”
Fenrich noted that they're supposed to be responsible for the cleaning costs, are the only ones using the curling lounge bathrooms and have not charged them before.
“Why not?” Councillor Les Henderson, the town’s deputy mayor at the time, asked.
“Exactly. Why not?” Councillor Jackson said.
Fenrich said a rough estimate for cleaning costs comes to $125.
Councillor David Dornstauder suggested considering looking into a damage deposit.
“So, if they were to be verbally told that this was accepted and then have it explained to them about the bathrooms at one time, it should go over reasonably well … they’re getting $1,866 off, we’re asking for $125, right?” he added.
Councillor Jerel Wood and Councillor Alex Majewski made and seconded the motion that passed council.
