Agreement

Comes with a One-Time Top Up

By Dan Guetre

Although an inter-municipal long-term agreement between the RM of Ste. Anne and the Town of Ste. Anne was not set to expire until 2034, the RM of Ste. Anne has agreed to send a bit more to their neighbour.

“The RM and the Town of Ste. Anne entered into an Inter-Municipal Recreation agreement in 2019,” explained RM of Ste. Anne CAO Mike McLennan. “This agreement included an annual base amount, with an annual increase to that amount over the lifespan of the agreement, which is in place until 2034. The annual contribution is to be applied towards both capital and operating expenses.”

Due to the emergency work required for the Town’s Maurice Chaput Arena, McLellan says the RM made an exception for this year with the potential for council to talk later about the long-term funding agreement.

Three new operating rooms will be constructed as part of a new surgery department to increase surgery capacity at Bethesda Regional Health Centre.

“The nearly $30-million new surgical centre will increase surgical capacity locally and throughout the region,” said Justice Minister and Steinbach MLA

Kelvin Goertzen. “This capital project will enhance the service profile of the facility in Manitoba’s third-largest city and provide the capacity for growth.”

The hospital expansion project includes three operating theatres with a modern boom system for surgical and anesthesia

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“The RM has committed to a total of $125,000 to the Town of Ste Anne for this year, with $75,000 being a one-time grant to assist with the arena work,” he elaborated. “The remaining $50,000, being our annual inter-municipal agreement contribution, which was topped up following a request from the Town of Ste Anne for this year only, with rates to be reviewed moving forward.”

Multiple emails to the Town of Ste. Anne for comment, including Mayor Yvan St. Vincent, were not returned.