Troake says the group shows no appreciation for the money it is already getting
By Mark Squibb/March 17, 2022
Witless Bay council voted last week to deny the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association’s (BBBAA) request for additional funds, though the decision wasn’t unanimous.
Nancy Burke, council’s BBBAA representative and chair of the recreation committee, moved that the Town accept the request. But councillor Alex Troake, who chairs the finance committee, amend the motion to include “subject to receipt of 2021 audited financial statements, as per the MOU.”
“I’d like to start by saying that there was a difference in the expectations of the Town and the Bay Bulls Bauline Athletic Association regarding the Memorandum of Understanding,” said Burke. “It was a signed MOU that extends the deal until the end of 2022. The BBAA was hoping, or expecting, that the amount of $50,000 would be a part of that extension. They were surprised to learn that we had returned to the original $37,000 dollars. To the Town of Witless Bay, the $50,000 contribution (last year) was a one-time thing, made possible by COVID funding provided by the government. The signed MOU that extends to the end of 2022 makes no mention of an amount— it states neither that the Town would contribute $50,000 again, nor that they would return to the $37,000. The Town of Witless Bay honoured the MOU, as it was written, through the contribution of $37,000.”
The BBBAA, said Burke, was asking the Town provide the full $50,000 once again.
“The BBBAA has submitted a record of their annual operating costs, which total $99,270.49,” said Burke. “The $50,000 contribution made by the Town of Witless Bay and the Town of Bay Bulls go directly towards covering those costs. The agreement between the BBBAA and the towns of Witless Bay and Bay Bulls is contingent on both town councils being supportive. Since we have returned our contribution to $37,000, the Town of Bay Bulls is within their rights to make the same alteration to their contribution. If this were to happen, the operating costs budget of the BBBAA would be cut by over 25 per cent, which would financially cripple them.”
Burke said that could lead to fee increases or a reduction in programs. She pointed out that the pandemic has led to reduced revenues, while operating costs have stayed consistent. The BBBAA’s annual auction fundraiser, she added, has not been held since 2019, due to the pandemic, and will likely not go ahead this year.
An online auction, Burke argued, would not generate the kind of revenue that the regular auction raises, and some corporate donors have also been forced to withdraw financial support because of the pandemic’s impact on their businesses.
Burke spoke to the importance of recreation, especially coming out of the pandemic, and reminded council that the BBBAA has made financial contributions to the Town’s swimming pool complex, the Kinsmen Club, and 50-plus Club.
“The main reason that I wanted to run for town council was to make more programs available to the youth in our town, and our region, and I know this council wants the same thing, as do some of our community groups,” said Burke.
Troake, however made clear he is no fan of the BBBAA.
“You were talking about fees, and that’s one of my biggest concerns with the BBBAA,” said Troake. “Today they posted that students who are thinking about applying for a job with them this summer have to sign up for a $85 course, just to apply. And one of the events during the winter carnival was $15 or $20 resume writing. So, they’re ‘helping’ youth in the region by making them spend over a hundred dollars before they can even apply for a job with the BBBAA.”
He also questioned the notion that there are no fundraising opportunities during a pandemic.
“They’ve done no fundraising,” said Troake. “If they can’t earn the same amount that they’re accustomed to, show me the effort to earn any.”
Troake said the BBBAA submitted a letter in November requesting consideration to maintain an annual $50,000 to cover operating expenses. Council considered that request, and representatives from the BBBAA made a presentation to the finance committee in December. He noted the previous council approved a $37,000 a year contribution for three years, which is matched by Bay Bulls. That combined $74,000 helps cover operating costs such as salaries, phone bills, insurance plans, travel, training, and office expenses.
Troake said the current operating budget indicates an increase in payroll from $55,000 to $75,000, and an overall increase in operating costs (including payroll) from $74,000 to $100,000.
“At this point, it’s like looking at the last year of your car payments and deciding you’d like more money to pay for a more expensive car,” he said.
Troake contended the BBBAA is required to submit meeting minutes and report monthly activities, including the number of Witless Bay residents in attendance, and has not submitted those documents. He said the Town has yet to receive an audited financial statement for 2021, and that the BBBAA has said that the audit will not be available before February of 2023.
“I believe the last documents we have on file are from 2016, and they are unaudited,” said Troake.
He reminded council the increase of funding from $37,000 to $50,000 last year was intended to be a one-time offer, paid with one-time provincial government COVID funding.
Troake said while the current council fully supports recreation, it has limited financial resources.
“With a balanced budget, and no COVID-19 funding available, to approve additional funding for the BBBAA is financially irresponsible and would mean taking away from other areas, such as infrastructure upgrades, community services, and support for other community groups,” said Troake.
He again criticized the BBBAA for not holding fundraisers during the pandemic.
“While every other business organization in the world has pivoted, the BBBAA chose to sit on their hands,” said Troake.
“The committee is concerned by the Bay Bulls-centric behavior of the BBBAA, and has requested a greater presence in Witless Bay,” Troake added. “During the pandemic, summer camps were held at the Puffin Centre, but only due to capacity limitations at the Bay Bulls Regional Lifestyle Centre. It is our expectation that events, activities, and investments be split equally between the two funding municipalities.”
Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard said she too had questions and could not support providing additional funding, especially when community buildings such as the Town Hall and Fire Hall need upgrades. She added other recreational groups are doing good work in the community and require funding, such as the ATV committee, Come Home Year committee, Heritage committee, and a community events committee.
“I do have some questions about why this funding is needed and where it would be going,” said Yard. “I have questions, but I don’t have answers.
She also joked the BBBAA should get a shorter name.
Councilor Jacob Hayden, who chairs the Witless Bay ATV Association, said that group had just received provincial government funding and would likely not be requesting funds from the Town.
Troake returned to the debate by arguing it’s not fair for anyone to suggest the Town does not support recreation because it is refusing the BBBAA’s funding increase.
“At the end of the day, we’re still giving them $37,000, which is what the agreement was,” said Troake. “And I haven’t seen much appreciation, to be honest, from the BBBAA over the $37,000.
After a few more minutes of discussion, council was finally ready to cast a vote, which split firmly down the middle.
In favour of increasing this year’s funding to $50,000 from $37,000 were councillors Jacob Hayden, Nancy Burke, and Ralph Carey.
Against the motion were councillors Gerard Dunne, Alex Troake, Deputy Mayor Lorna Yard, and Mayor Trevor Croft.
The MOU between the BBBAA and the two towns is set to expire after this year.
What happens after that, Troake said, is yet to determined.
