1998 Capital Budget Request for Leaside Memorial Gardens
(Ward 1 - East York) (Former Borough of East York)
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation in the
following transmittal letter (June 26, 1998) from the Budget Committee:
Recommendation:
The Budget Committee on June 25, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and
Council, the adoption of the report (June 17, 1998) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and that the
appropriate City officials be directed to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.
Background:
The Budget Committee on June 25, 1998, had before it a report (June 17, 1998) from the Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer regarding the approval of a loan in the amount of $60,000.00 to the Leaside Memorial Gardens.
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(Report dated June 17, 1998, addressed to theBudget Committee from theChief Financial Officer and Treasurer)
Purpose:
To report on a 1998 Capital Budget request in the amount of $60,000.00 for Leaside Memorial Gardens which was
overlooked during the 1998 capital budget process. Details relating to the capital budget request are provided in
Appendix A.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The net 1998 Capital Budget as approved by Council will not be impacted by the approval of this project since it
will be funded by a loan which will be repaid in the same manner as debentures.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that approval be given to a loan in the amount of $60,000.00, which relates to the Arena
Lighting Upgrade project, to be repaid by Leaside Gardens in the same manner as if debentures had been issued,
and that the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to give effect
thereto.
Background:
Leaside Memorial Community Gardens is partially funded by the former Borough of East York and is managed by
an independent Board Of Management. The former Borough was used as a source of financing for Leaside Gardens
capital projects. While the Borough funded projects directly, Leaside Gardens made regular loan payments through
their operating budget, repaying the Borough's reserves at the going interest rates in the same manner as if
debentures had been issued.
Leaside Gardens staff sent this capital budget request to the Borough within the time frame which had been
established for 1998 capital budget submissions. The request was overlooked and consequently not included with
the former Borough of East York's 1998 capital budget submission. Separate approval is therefore being requested
for this 1998 capital budget program.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
As indicated in Appendix A, the arena's lighting system is below the minimum lighting standards for this type of
facility. There is also a health and safety issue relating to the lack of plastic covers on the light fixtures.
East York Hydro has indicated that upgrading the lighting system could result in annual energy savings of
approximately $1,900.00.
Conclusions:
Approval of the 1998 capital budget request is recommended.
Timely approval of the project is required to ensure completion by August 1998 to avoid impacting the projected
1999 revenues.
Contact Name:
Shekhar Prasad, 392-8095.
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Appendix A
1998 Capital Program Request
Leaside Memorial Gardens
Description:Arena Lighting Upgrade (electrical)
Project Costs:($)
Contract $4,000.00
Consulting 6,000.00
Total60,000.00
Sources of Funding:
Loan to be repaid over 10 years - under the same terms and conditions as debentures.
Project Description:
The arena lighting is very low compared to most recreation facilities with the same type programming. In the next
couple of years there will be several of the 45 x 400 watt mercury vapour fixtures which will require new ballasts.
Also, there is the safety factor, the current light fixtures do not have plastic covers to protect the 400 watt bulbs. If a
puck hit the bulb it could fall on the ice and injure skaters.
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(Communication dated April 6, 1998, addressed toMr. Glenn Kippen, Treasurer, Leaside Gardens fromMr. Henry
Stachelbeck, General Manager, Leaside Gardens)
On behalf of the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management, I would like to provide the
information for the Financial Review Committee for the new arena lighting system, as you requested today.
The arena lighting system is sub grade to all arenas this Board has compared it to. The acceptable minimum
lighting standards for this type of facility is fifty-five foot candles per square foot. We currently possess an average
of only twenty-three foot candles per square foot, way short of the minimal acceptable levels.
The current lighting system contains forty-five fixtures, composed of four hundred watt mercury vapour bulbs. East
York Hydro staff informed the Board that Leaside could expect to see some savings in electrical energy switching
to a new metal halide system. This savings will be determined by a consultant once a project has been approved.
I have attached to original letter requesting the amount of $60,000.00 for the capital improvements in the arena
lighting. The Board is also aware that this cost will be debentured over the next ten years.
This project must be completed in August 1998 as to not effect any ice/floor revenue projected for this fiscal year.
I hope the above information will allow the Financial Review Committee to see the importance of the revamping of
this forty-seven year old facility.
