By Gazette Staff
October 16th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
During the events held in every city ward Mayor Meed Ward took on questions from anyone.
Some people called in twice with the same question.
Caren was one of them.
How much did it cost to convert this site into the Bateman Community Centre?
The question had to do with the cost of converting a decommissioned high school into a community centre. Which she asked September 22.
The Mayor didn’t have the figures at her fingertips and said to Caren that she would get the information for her.
Caren is now saying the Mayor has still not gotten back to her.
“Still no response from our Mayor and company regarding the costs to date on Bateman including the property purchase.”
Is Caren being unfair, expecting too much in a short period of time?
Or is the Mayor and her staff dragging their feet?
The site is superb. It isn’t completely finished. The question many people have is: Did the city spend too much money, was there not enough in the way of fiscal prudence?
Caren did say that “… according to Paul Sharman, there was a report completed on the Bateman costs etc. I got this first hand information from another resident who asked Paul Sharman directly at his Ward 5 meeting on Oct. 2nd. “
“Too many secrets and no transparency with this Mayor and council” said Caren
Let’s give this a couple of more weeks – say to the end of the month – to see what happens.
ah yes Lord Elgin was my high s hool and I have fond memories. I was sad to see it get closed. I played hockey regularly at skyway arena and used to cut through the opening at the back of skyway plaza and go to the fish and chip shop. Then go home to my house behind Elizabeth gardens . Things have changed a lot in 50 years
The old “oh let me get back to you on that….”
While they are at it – please provide a report of the new Skyway Arena. Did it come in at the original budget? If not were the overruns?
I truly wish our City Mangers and Council were better Stewards of our taxes – particularly the nice to have improvements
Yes good idea.Give them a few more weeks to massage the numbers.