The event will be taking place in the Recreation Fundraising Committee Community Hall on the second floor, right above the main lobby.
Renfrew Town Council has received their third and final report on the Ma-te-Way Expansion. Now what?
Council met with WCSC Consulting on Tuesday night to discuss the 142-page document, which looks at many of the project’s difficulties and setbacks, including budget discrepancies, oversight challenges, contract management, and procurement practices.
In a statement following Tuesday night’s meeting, CAO Rob Tremblay says the town recognizes that “these findings are frustrating for Renfrew residents and taxpayers.” He would go on to say that “both the town and council are committed to tackling the issues highlighted in the review, many of which are in the process of being addressed through the management response plan put in place following the initial findings this past April.”
Some of the next steps he highlights include:
- Creating a Major Capital Projects Policy (focused on improving reporting,
project management, scoping, and risk assessment); - Reviewing the current procurement policy;
- Developing policies for community engagement, sponsorship, and leasing;
- Updating the Staff Code of Conduct: and,
- Providing training on purchasing, fraud prevention, and project management.
The town also plans to review its fees and subsidies for recreation starting in 2025 and is in the process of hiring a project specialist to oversee major capital projects going forward.
In the meantime, Tremblay and his team consider the expanded facilities inside Ma-te-Way Park to be a significant asset for the town, and they are focused on using it to deliver “high-quality recreational and cultural programming that benefits all residents and users.”
The town has also officially filed a complaint with the OPP to start civil proceedings for a fraud investigation, which is still ongoing.
(written by Kasey Egan)
