The results are in for a public survey focused on a proposed three-season pavilion in Green Acres Park.
A volunteer community-driven committee called the Teulon Community Development Initiative (TCDI) is looking at a project to create a pavilion with a fully equipped commercial kitchen, which would allow for food and liquor preparation and service in the park since the current facilities no longer meet Manitoba Health standards. The proposed facility would also include modern washrooms.
The estimated cost ranges from $500,000 to $750,000, depending on the options included in the plan. The final building location is to be determined.
Community members had the chance to share their input and opinions through a public survey, and 74.2 per cent of combined respondents indicated that the facility like this is “important” or “very important.”
According to the survey, the most popular activity in the park would be “attending events” at 64.89 per cent of responses.
“Based on this, the Teulon Community Development Initiative feels that this facility idea is worth pursuing,” said Jan Lambourne, a TCDI member.
“The Teulon town council intends to hold a town hall meeting in the future for public opinion on various park ideas that were presented. The wider public will have another chance to vote on different ideas at this town hall meeting.”
Many structural ideas and rough plans for this project are in place, and the group needs to work with Interlake Community Futures on a longer term three- to five-year strategic plan.
“We need to formalize a committee to sign a fundraising agreement with the town,” Lambourne said. “We need to finalize a building plan and a building location and co-ordinate this plan with the forthcoming Green Acres Park walking trails, possible museum washrooms and other ideas.”
TCDI is seeking more input from community members and user groups, such as sports clubs, farmers market groups, wedding planners, charitable user groups, event organizers, museum committee members and any other group interested in the design and placement of this building in Green Acres Park.
“The largest percentage of respondents in the survey are in the age group 35-44. This group, their children and their grandchildren will be current and future users of this building,” Lambourne said.
“You can share your input and ideas to build a multi-functional, maintenance-friendly and attractive social space geared to attract summer park events like weddings, family reunions, sports events, outdoor markets and more. We want to hear from you.”
In addition, TCDI would like to hear from builders, tradespeople and contractors.
“We want a building attractive enough to be used as a wedding venue yet versatile enough to be used for any large park event. We want a maintenance-friendly building,” she said.
“Your knowledge of construction methods and materials, electrical and lighting, HVAC systems, plumbing and concrete will be invaluable to our committee. We can offer in-kind donation receipts for consulting or construction if your company has an interest in donating.”
Personal and corporate donations would also be gratefully accepted. Lambourne noted that potential donors should discuss their situation with a tax professional.
“A century ago community volunteers would build this with volunteer labour. Modern building regulations make this impossible, but community members can still co-operate in a different way —donations. A personal donation to a charity in Manitoba offers a combined income tax credit of about 43 per cent but might be higher depending on your income,” she said.
“For example, your actual cost on a $1,000 personal donation will actually be $577.20. Corporate donations reduce your corporation’s taxable income by the amount of the donation. Better yet, your pooled donations will allow access to federal, provincial and corporate grants and bring some of your tax and consumer dollars home to be spent in your own community. Together, we can do this.”
To learn more, email tcdirockwood@gmail.com or call 204-886-3910. A detailed breakdown of the survey is available on the Town of Teulon website at www.teulon.ca.
