With a decision expected as early as next month on the future of the Spray Lake Sawmills Centre, Mayor Jeff Genung has stepped in as president of the Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society (SLSRPS).
Rocky View County Reeve Crystal Kissel has been named vice-chair. The rest of the board will remain as members of the public-at-large.
The leadership change follows the retirement of long-time SLSRPS board member and president Brad Nadeau, who has completed three consecutive two-year terms—the maximum allowed under the society’s bylaws.
On April 28, Mayor Genung told council that no one had stepped forward to fill the role, but members supported both him and Kissel assuming the leadership positions.
With ongoing discussions between the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View County, and YMCA Calgary to take over operations of the facility, the board’s long-term future remains uncertain.
No new board members have been appointed since the municipalities began talks with YMCA Calgary. A joint committee representing the town and county is now in the final review stage with YMCA Calgary, assessing whether the proposed service delivery model meets community needs.
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“I think it's only appropriate that the owners—being Rocky View and Cochrane—step in at this time and take on the stewarding of the board until such time as we know the direction we are going,” said Genung. “If it’s a wind-down and dissolution, that’s one thing. If it’s a no-go, then we’re back to recruiting board members, and my intention would be to step back and allow someone else from the public to step into the president’s role.”
A decision on the centre’s future could come as early as May.
Genung praised the board for its long-standing service.
“That society has served our community for 25-plus years in an incredible way and has actually set us up to have the conversation about potential next steps,” he said.