Churchill could host court
By Chris Simon

Churchill resident Anne Marie Davies worries the local community centre will be turned into a part time court house. Last week, a town committee passed a recommendation to negiotate a lease for a court house at the Churchill site with the City of Barrie. If approved by council, court would begin in April.

A court in Churchill is steps away from approval, much to the chagrin of several local residents.

Last week, a town committee approved a recommendation to begin negotiations with the City of Barrie, to allow the Churchill Community Centre to be used as a part time Provincial Offences Act courthouse. Though the recommendation still needs to be approved by town council, it would also include plans to spend $60,000 for the renovation of the facility.

Court would be held in Churchill every Monday, second Tuesday and the first, second and third Wednesday each month, starting in April. The province would pay $14,350 per year for use of the facility, while the town would be responsible for providing snow clearing, custodial, heat, hydro, internet, telephone and general maintenance services. If the court is not approved, it would likely be relocated to Barrie, something that would cost South Simcoe Police between $223,000 and $639,000 in salaries, fees and other expenses per year.

"We were all suddenly put under the gun, and we look at this as an opportunity to save our taxpayers (money). We do have a responsibility in that regard," said councillor Rod Boynton. "We're certainly sensitive to the needs of the people in Churchill, and that's why we'll direct our staff to do, as best as possible, to reschedule the (community) times available and find other facilities. Council's not jumping on this to take something away, we feel we have a major opportunity here."

However, several Churchill residents are opposed to the site, with about 125 people signing a petition against the court house. They say the renovations - which include carpeting the hardwood floor, access to a judges' office and private bathroom, and two separate offices for the prosecutor and defense attorneys - will deter community organizations that currently use the facility.

"The Sloan family (which donated the community centre land) resided in Churchill for many years," said resident Marie Anne Davies, noting many residents found out about the town's plans through recent media reports, and have had little time to discuss the matter with council.

"They donated a parcel of land which was to be used as a ball park. When the town was in need of property to build a new community centre, the trustees of the ball park signed the property to the town ... with the understanding that it would continue to service the recreation needs of the Churchill and area residents."

Davies says the community centre currently offers music, cooking, arts and crafts, yoga and fitness classes, while also being rented for weddings and family reunion. Many of those classes and events would be impacted, if the recommendation is approved.

"This land and centre should be acknowledged as an important historical site which continues to be used by the community, regardless of how many days and hours it is in use, and regardless of what revenue it generates," she said. "We feel this is blatant disrespect for the Sloan family, the community, and our opportunity for community programs."

However, the Churchill site is rarely being used, said mayor Brian Jackson.

Currently, the site is used only 14 per cent of the time during the week, with about 26 per cent occupancy during the weekends. The court would use the facility for 82 eight-hour days per year.

"We're not taking anything away, or punishing anyone, we're just trying to change things a bit and be fiscally responsible," said Jackson. "The Churchill hall is a vastly underutilized building for day use. That building has sat there for a long time, and we try to maximize the use of our buildings."

And staff will also attempt to make the site as usable for the community as possible, by potentially purchasing removable hardwood flooring, said councillor Dan Davidson.

"Our job is to help the taxpayer reduce the burden ... we saw the savings this could save the town's police budget," he said.

Davies also suggested using another facility within the town, such as the old Town Hall's council chambers, for court. However, the province has already indicated contempt for that idea. South Simcoe Police will be moving into the old administration building once municipal staff move into the new Town Hall. And generally, the province opposes locating court houses in police stations, said City of Barrie clerk Dawn McAlpine.

"In terms of the use of a police station as a POA court, our chief justice for this area has informed us this is not a possibility," she said.

Councillors also seem to oppose using rooms at the new Town Hall, suggesting the space should be left open for community groups.