Fiscal responsibility taken seriously

To the editor,

I would like to clarify statements made by Rob MacLellan in his column of May 1 (My Thoughts – Gateway funding: perhaps a more modest approach) regarding what he calls an albatross around the neck of the taxpayers of Colchester County.

The Rath Eastlink Community Centre has provided recreation services, wellness programs, pool services, and world class entertainment events, with a dedicated and friendly staff, supported by a conscientious and financially responsible board.

To provide such a complex, accessible and clean environment for the people of Truro and Colchester County is a huge responsibility.

It requires skilled professionals, and cooperation among community leaders to accomplish and sustain. These things, of course, cost money.

Mr. MacLellan’s statement that this beacon of Health and Wellness, in our province, is to be self-sustaining, is an over simplification and an unsubstantiated, uninformed comment.

The RECC facility is a majorpiece of municipal infrastructure, similar to Victoria Park, Truro Civic Square, the Balefill and Composting System, our sewer and water system, etc., and will always require a level of municipal support.

We take our fiscal responsibility very seriously and are operating this facility with the upmost business acumen. We are confident in our ability to maximize the benefit of a minimum investment to the taxpayers of Truro and Colchester County.

In our few short years of operations we have many examples and testimonials from local citizens and visitors alike, who have greatly improved their health and well being as a result of this facility.

That, in itself, is priceless! John Kelderman, Chair, Rath Eastlink Community Centre