Questions to consider before township takes over building

The Editor,
Re: the recent article stating that serious negotiations between the L’Orignal chapter of Chevaliers De Colomb and Champlain Township proposing the take-over of their hall due to their inability to both maintain membership support and financial profitability.
There is no doubt that communities should have a facility to promote fellowship within its boundaries and most important, reflect the needs of the whole community.
The balance sheet, as represented, clearly demonstrates user fees did not keep pace with the increased expenses. Any participation by the township inevitably will increase the present deficiency through needed renovations and administrative costs. Are users prepared to accept higher fees or will they abandon the facility altogether? Should that situation occur, are the taxpayers of L’Orignal prepared to accept the burden of those costs through higher taxes? Most important, does this potential acquisition establish a precedent by the township to bail out other organizations falling on hard times? That is the slipper slope to be considered by council and residents.
Jim Walsh,
L’Orignal