The Town of Bracebridge is moving closer to finalizing its 2022 budget after a few last-minute changes during a Tuesday meeting.
The draft 2022 Municipal Budget and Business Plan, as proposed, would result in a general tax rate increase of 3.7%. The rate increase consists of a levy increase of 5.4%, which is partly offset by an approximate 1.8% increase in taxable assessment.
Among the most recent changes was a decision to include money for a pump track in this year’s budget.
A pump track is designed for cyclists and features a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features to be ridden completely by riders “pumping” and generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing. The idea of a pump track is to use this pumping motion to maintain your speed around the track without pedalling.
Pump tracks can be used by people of all skill levels with various styles of bikes including road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes and specialty bikes.
The proposal to move the project ahead was put forward by Mayor Graydon Smith, who said the pump track likely won’t be finished until 2023 but diverting $477,00 into the project this year will ensure it moves along at an expedited pace.
However, to free up the money required council to agree to postpone a project that would have seen landscaping and beautification done at the intersection of Taylor Road and Cedar Lane.
Staff said the preferred site for the new track is at Douglas Drive and Little Ryan’s Way, near the Sportsplex.
Council also decided to scrap a planned new entranceway to the Bracebridge Sportsplex, altough that decision had nothing to do with freeing up funds for the pump track.
Currently the entrance to the Sportsplex is a steel post and beam decorative timber pergola. According to a staff report, the structure is not a cover, nor does it protect the entranceway from the natural elements.
Staff say they continually receive complaints from seniors, individuals with mobility issues and parents with young children that the entranceway is not accessible, especially in the winter months.
Last year council approved $450,00 for a partially covered new entranceway to the sportsplex.
Several councillors said the project was only a half measure and the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Coun. Mark Quemby also put forward a proposal to increase the amount of money being put into the new arena and library. Quemby said he didn’t want to see the facility end up sitting half-finished for a significant period of time.
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