By Chad Ingram

Volunteers from the Lochlin and Irondale halls made a presentation to councillors Dec. 10 requesting that the township pay for operating and capital expenses at the facilities.

Since amalgamation of the Township of Minden Hills volunteer committees at the halls have been responsible for fundraising to pay for their operation and upkeep.

The same was true of the Gelert Hall which was closed in 2012 due to the condition of the building and was demolished earlier this month.

Traditionally the township has provided some funding for the halls the remainder being raised by volunteers.

For 2015 the amount from the township was $4500.

“However the $4500 has not been enough to cover our existing operational expenses and the onus for the remainder of expenses still fell on the backs of the committee volunteers” Rick Ratcliff of the Lochlin Community Centre told council.

The Lochlin facility a former schoolhouse has been deteriorating in recent years.

“The committee is not able to raise the required funds to address ongoing issues and in addition pay the township’s operational expenses” Ratcliff said.

The committees are requesting the township pay the operational and capital expenses for the buildings both of which it owns out of the general tax levy.

Reeve Brent Devolin said he is supportive in principle.

“But I’m one member of council” Devolin said adding the matter would be deferred to council’s 2016 budget discussions.