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They help injured animals when no one else can but Wild ARC needs help to continue their mission Community, Page A3
Public input key to a healthy force, says report that avoids mentioning amalgamation. News, Page A5
Friday, March 30, 2012
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Closing restaurant wasn’t only option
NEWS EXCLUSIVE
Information obtained by the News shows council decision was contrary to staff recommendation Kyle Slavin News staff
The closed door decision to shut down the restaurant at the municipally owned Cedar Hill golf course was made despite a recommendation from staff to give the facility another chance. According to documents obtained through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Saanich’s mayor and councillors chose an option that was more severe than what their staff suggested. A joint report from the directors of finance and parks and recreation recommended the restaurant remain open, but only at peak times (in the summer and around Christmas). “Should this approach not prove successful, the next step would be to close the restaurant operation entirely,” read Sharon Tiffin/News staff the report, dated Dec. 5, 2011. KeepCristina Sousa, who recently celebrated her ing the restaurant open in this manner 10th year working at the Cedar Hill golf course, “will determine if the food and beverage staffs the small shop that’s still open. operation is economically viable in this location.” The report first went before council at an in-camera meeting on Dec. 12. On Jan. 9, 2012, also in-camera, council voted to close the restaurant. Three other options were presented to council in the report. Each focused on how much Saanich would have to subsidize the course, and each was accompanied by a list of pros and cons for the municipality. Maintaining the status quo, the report said, would require an $819,000 subsidy in 2012 and would result in either a 0.9-per-cent property tax increase, or a 1.5-per-cent budget reduction for all municipal departments. A partial subsidy of $482,000 would need to be funded by either a 0.5-per-cent tax increase, or a 1-per-cent budget reduction. An outright outsourcing of the golf course and food service would require no subsidy, but could have negative impacts on the golfers and community. Sharon Tiffin/News staff
James Johnston watches his putt as he plays a round of golf at the Cedar Hill golf course Tuesday.
PLEASE SEE: Councillors chose ‘most fiscally responsible’ option, Page A2
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