Oro-Medonte Township council passed a near-unanimous motion at Wednesday’s special session of council that will give the last and final permission needed to build an elementary school/community centre at 739 Horseshoe Valley Rd. W.
All but one councillor — Richard Schell — voted in favour of awarding the project to Remo General Contracting Ltd. Council also approved the current project budget of $8,471,443 to complete the township’s portion of the project.
Schell, who earlier in the session apologized to his fellow councillors for his role in the integrity commissioner’s report that found he breached both the Municipal Code of Conduct and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act last month, had concerns.
First, he was concerned about having public offices on a school site. He said he was considering the safety of children.
Second, he didn’t see a business case that lays out the financial impacts of operating the facility.
And last, he thought it might be premature to ask council, which has only been on the job for a year, to make a decision that would commit the township to an $8 million project.
“I’d like to consider maybe deferring this,” he said.
He looked for someone to second his motion.
He found no one.
The township originally purchased the land at 739 Horseshoe Valley Road West in 2013 with the hope of building a community centre on the site. In the years following the purchase, the township made it known to the board of education that it was interested in forming a partnership, if the opportunity presented itself.
In 2018, the township and the SCDSB formalized an agreement and the Ministry of Education approved $9 million in funding.
The province announced earlier this year that it will provide up $23.8 million, which included the township's portion, about $7 million, approved by township council in February 2021.
The original cost of the school, which was approved by the Ministry of Education in 2018, was $9 million.
Shawn Binns, director of operations and community services for Oro-Medonte, tried to explain the importance of making a decision now.
“Failing to act now would have fairly significant risk implications on whether or not a school actually gets constructed in the municipality or not,” Binns told council. “And, it’s contrary to our commitments that we’ve made and agreed to with the school board. That needs to be understood.”
“There really is no other option or alternative,” he added.
Schell agreed the new school was needed but still wasn’t sure this was the right time.
“I'm just a little concerned about the process that we’re going through at this point in time with the monetary constraints that are on everybody’s shoulders, that’s all,” he said.
Oro-Medonte Township Mayor Randy Greenlaw said he appreciated Schell’s concerns but argued the cost would only get higher if council did nothing.
“I don’t want to pause this,” Greenlaw said. “For us to put obstacles up over somewhat minor, or miniscule issues?
“At this point, I think we need to get this approved, that’s why the special council meeting was called.”
Prior to calling the final vote, Greenlaw asked if anyone was willing to second Schell’s earlier motion. Again, there were no takers.
He called for a vote on the main motion and it passed.
