Labrador West’s largest recreational facility has closed after more than half a century of operation.
According to a press release from the Town of Wabush, the Mike Adam Recreation Complex closed for good on Tuesday after more than 50 years.
Wabush Mayor Ron Barron said the town was spending a quarter of its annual recreation budget just on the center and could no longer afford to keep it open.
“For the past three years, we had an agreement with the Town of Labrador City and a few other local stakeholders in the area that allowed us to keep the center open, but that ended this year,” said Barron at CBC Radio. Labrador Morning.
The complex had a weight room, bowling alley, gymnasium and several community halls. It also housed the only indoor pool in Labrador West. Now, the closest option for residents is in Fermont, Quebec, 35 kilometers away.
Barron said Labrador City should continue to help with the facility because most of its customers come from there.
But Belinda Adams, a councilor from Labrador City, said she was unwilling to pursue the financial arrangement because Wabush would not provide a self-sufficiency plan.
“What are we going to do differently in the future? We can’t keep donating without knowing what you’re doing with our money,” said Adams, who suggested the merger as a potential solution to budget issues.
“We feel that if it’s a merged community and the budget is less than one, we could, as a team, work together to manage that money,” Adams said.
We cannot continue to donate without knowing what you are doing with our money.– Belinda Adams
Barron said regionalizing the service would be a better way to fill the gap than an outright merger.
“Our waste management is regionalized. We pay our way and Labrador City pays their way. Labrador City manages it, but we pay our way. That’s all we’re asking that with this facility, the same thing happens” , Barron said.
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