If you live in or around Sussex, you will be happy to hear the Nutrien Civic Centre opens its doors again this Friday. Funding problems forced the facility to close for six days, but a recent payment means operations can resume.

According to a report from CBC, the Kings Regional Service Commission sent a cheque this week to cover the centre’s funding commitment through the end of August. The commission previously withheld a larger quarterly payment. This shortfall left the centre unable to meet payroll last week and forced the board to close the building temporarily.

A Change of Heart

Executive director Stefanie McFarlane initially planned to keep the facility closed until a sustainable funding plan materialized. A specific incident changed her mind.

The centre partners with the Salvation Army to provide showers for people experiencing homelessness. During the closure, a person arrived looking for a shower. McFarlane noted the individual had not showered in days.

“I said, you know what? Go take your shower,” McFarlane told CBC. “How can we deny people access to what we have to offer?”

She then contacted the board and recommended they reopen the facility. Staff and board members are now exploring new revenue streams to avoid asking municipal taxpayers for additional money.

Municipal Funding Concerns

The Kings Regional Service Commission budgeted about $600,000 this year to support the civic centre. Four member municipalities share this cost: Sussex, Butternut Valley, Valley Waters and the Rural District of Kings.

Leaders in Valley Waters and Butternut Valley question the fairness of the payment calculations. Valley Waters Mayor Randy McKnight also voiced concerns regarding the financial management of the facility.

McKnight released a statement outlining his worries about repeated deficits and accumulated debt. He called the lack of a long term capital plan alarming and accused the organization of disregarding transparency and accountability.

Defending the Finances

McFarlane defended the financial position of the 15 year old facility. She explained the centre uses a $250,000 line of credit for daily operations.

“If you look at a building or a facility like this that runs as we run, having that little debt is really something to be celebrated,” she said.

While annual reports show repeated deficits, McFarlane clarified the centre would operate in the black if you remove building depreciation from the equation.

“We’re not meant to make a profit,” she said. “We’re what draws people to areas like this, but we’ll never be a money maker.”

McFarlane also confirmed she submitted a draft capital plan to the commission this spring. She plans to work with newly appointed CEO Matt Moore to finalize the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Nutrien Civic Centre close?

The centre closed temporarily because the Kings Regional Service Commission withheld a quarterly funding payment. This left the facility unable to cover payroll.

When does the facility reopen?

The Nutrien Civic Centre reopens to the public on Friday.

Who funds the civic centre?

Four municipalities share the funding costs through the Kings Regional Service Commission. These include Sussex, Butternut Valley, Valley Waters and the Rural District of Kings.