City council will review and vote on a proposal to contract operations at the Veiner Centre to Kerby Centre, a Calgary-based not-for-profit seniors group, when they meet on Feb. 2.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
City Hall officials are recommending that operations at the Veiner Centre and municipal seniors’ programming be run by a Calgary-based not-for-profit society – a state of affairs they say would cut city costs and potentially increase offerings and membership.
The Kerby Centre Society was the only group to complete a request for proposal process launched last year as the city looked to cut costs at the seniors centre.
At the same time as that was launched, councillors questioned how to best boost flagging membership figures at the centre that reopened three years ago following the 2013 flood.
Senior Medicine Hat officials said the non-for-profit group that’s operated in Calgary for 45 years can offer more flexibility to attract the growing number of seniors on a contract that is 20 per cent lower than the city’s cost.
“It fits the vision of a more sustainable (financial) model … and fits with trends and expectations of the community,” said city director of public services Brian Mastel.
An overview was presented for information at Monday’s meeting of the public services committee.
Typically this type of tender would be dealt with by City Hall’s administrative committee then forwarded to council for a decision, a step that will happen at council’s next meeting on Feb. 2.
According to documents, the estimated value would be about $190,000 less than the city currently pays to operate the facility. It could also be better able to provide classes and other activities by engaging short-term contractors rather than going through city processes.
Committee Chair Coun. Julie Friesen said she was encouraged by several parts of proposal, and would address that to council.
“Council will have to take all this information and make a decision on Monday,” she said.
Coun. Kris Samraj said the fact the process produced only one bid is a concern to him, and the cost savings are less than forecast by administrators, and also less than an alternative option presented last year of contracting out food services at the facility.
“I think the case for the private (operator) is significantly weakened,” he told the meeting.
He said the centre’s membership is still hampered after reopening. Administrators also suggested greater cost savings originally, and he prefers finding savings on food service, but keeping the current operating model for now.
“I hope council will still consider that option,” he said.
The Kerby Centre currently offers educational, recreational and other activities at its facility in Calgary, as well as offering some outreach partnerships in surrounding communities, including an elder abuse emergency shelter.
In Medicine Hat, it would also take over food service at the centre and the Strathcona Centre, as well as Meals on Wheels.
The city would also help set up a local advisory board.
“We develop group programming that is driven by members,” Larry Mathieson, the CEO of the Kerby Centre Society, told the News on Monday, adding that his organization would be excited at the opportunity, and is awaiting council’s final decision.
“Our model is backed on feedback of members and we like our programming to be dynamic.”
He said the group is focused on expanding online offerings as a necessity during the pandemic, but sees more interact in that way for homebound members in the future.
They have about 3,000 and another 4,000 non-members who routinely take part in programming each year.
If approved, the city and Kirby officials would complete a contract by the end of March and complete a transition three months later.
Attending the meeting, Veiner Centre member Michelle Winger said she is initially impressed with the Kerby Centre’s reputation, but questions remain.
“I think people in the 50-plus age group would like the ability to volunteer more (in running the centre),” she said.
Longtime seniors advisory board member Gordon Knott said he was still considering the implications of the change.
He felt the seniors’ centre had been working towards more flexible programming, but that hadn’t been well-advertised.
“We’ve endeavoured to create that different perspective,” he said. “We do need to adapt to changing (expectations), but I would like … the Veiner Centre (to) be more openly promoted.”
