Collingwood councillors are putting in some extra hours this week.
A special budget meeting is being held today.
The town’s CAO and treasurer are expected to give a report on capital projects and ways to save money.
There have been some suggestions that part of the Heritage Park Revitalization Project should not be done this year.
If the suggestion is accepted, the Centennial Pool would be fixed up this year, but the new wellness centre to replace the aging contact centre would have to wait.
Mayor Chris Carrier tells us council will also be talking about whether the town can afford to put a roof over the outdoor skating rink at Central Park.
He expects a decision to be made either today or at the regular council meeting on Monday night.
Carrier says there are two options to consider. One is putting a bubble over the rink which would cost over a 100 thousand dollars a year in carrying and energy costs. That would mean a half percent tax hike.
The mayor adds the cost of a roof would be about a million dollars.
He tells us it’s not going to be an easy decision because the money will either have to come from the taxpayer or debentures (loan).