Charlottetown rec facilities way over budget
Last Updated: Monday, March 29, 2010 | 8:05 AM AT
CBC News
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The CARI pool and rink complex and the Civic Centre, Charlottetown's two biggest recreational facilities, came in way over budget in 2009.
Details of how much taxpayers paid for CARI and the Civic Centre were revealed in last week's city budget. The off-target budgeting has mayoral candidate Philip Brown raising concerns about a lack of accountability.
CARI has not operated within its budget since in opened in 2003, and found itself 38 per cent overbudget in 2009, or $170,000. The Civic Centre was 26 per cent over budget, or $134,000.
Coun. Stu MacFadyen, chair of the parks and recreation committee, said the blame for the off-target budgeting at CARI cannot be laid on the board of directors. "I really think [the board members] do a wonderful job," said MacFadyen.
"We're all accountable for it. Everybody's got to take blame for it. It's not just the people out there."
MacFadyen said he knew last year that the budget for CARI wouldn't be enough, and the budget projection for 2010 is more realistic.
Being over budget for two-big ticket items concerns the only announced candidate for Charlottetown mayor in November's civic elections.
"[It] raises flags for me," said Brown.
"I'm concerned that we'll be looking at another off-target year with both facilities."
Brown says if he's elected mayor there will be more accountability from the CARI and Civic Centre boards.
He said constant communication has to take place between the boards and council. That way there are no surprises at the end of the year when the two facilities come back looking for more taxpayer money.
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