By Joni MacFarlane
Editor, Crowsnest Pass Promoter
Despite reservations about municipal liability, Crowsnest Pass council unanimously agreed to begin the process of selling the Bellevue Seniors Centre.
Councillor Larry Mitchell brought forward a motion to have administration meet with the Bellevue Seniors Club to negotiate the sale of the building to them.
Coun. Mitchell said the group doesn’t want to relocate to the MDM Community Complex and wants to remain in the current facility.
“We realize there are some structural problems in the building. We had it investigated and looked after and I have a full report on it,” said Coun. Mitchell. “They’re aware of it and they feel they can do it a lot cheaper than we could.”
Coun. Mitchell suggested that if the municipality does sell the building to the seniors’ group, they should receive the full inspection and acknowledge it, “so they are fully aware of the situation as we see it”.
“There has been some hints that if they are asked to be removed from the building, they will not relocate to MDM and will probably disband, which will be a sad event as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
Several council members expressed concern that even though the seniors’ group was aware of the building’s condition and signed their acknowledgement, the municipality may still be held liable.
Councillor Emile Saindon recommended that lawyers ensure liability issues are settled through the sale agreement.
“That being said, liability will extend forever to a municipality or public government,” he said.