COUNCIL UPDATE - March 29th 2016

Council this week had a few items, none though that really require much explanation. Most were just information and setting some new polices for education. There was one information item however that does warrant a comment or two as there has been some misinformation – or less than complete information out there. The item was discussed as part of the Regional Report.

In speaking to the Regional Report, Mayor Dawe spoke about the high Regional Development Charges (DCs) and indicated that – in his opinion – the high development charges are the one and only barrier to why Aurora has no hotel. Councillor Thompson however took a much different view. He made clear that high DCs are only a part of the issue; he spoke to the many things that we as a municipality can and should be doing to bring a hotel to Town.

I fully agree with Councillor Thompson. In my opinion, it is too simplistic, too incomplete a rationale as to why Aurora has not been able to attract a hotel since the closure of the HOJO. There is no question, the regional DCs are high and there needs to be an adjustment. However, they’re not the one and only reason why Aurora does not have a hotel. What about the simple question of viability? It’s a question most business owners would explore before anything else. Is there a market? Demand? What are the capital costs? operating costs? Potential revenue? You need a positive net balance before proceeding with a new build. These are important considerations that impact whether a hotel will or can be supported in Aurora. In my mind there are many ways that we as a Council can be creative in offsetting those high DC charges so they would be less of a hindrance. I believe we should focus on the positives of attracting a hotel build in Aurora rather than the negatives of why one hasn’t been built already.

We are already taking some important steps towards the need for a hotel – thus increasing viability. Steps such as working hard to encourage sports tourism. In fact, AYSC has been awarded a semi pro team that will be playing in Aurora… Where will the competition be staying? There are many high calibre tournaments that happen within town with lots of people that need places to stay. We have many corporate headquarters that bring in many clients yet have no where for them to stay. It is a diverse and growing market and we should be promoting the fact that a hotel would be viable in Aurora. If the DC charges are one of the barriers to development, rather than focus on the negative – the “expense” of building in aurora – Council instead can look to ways to utilize the many tools available to it to offset those high DC charges so that they will no longer be an issue.

It is not an effective strategy to ask the Region to simply defer the charges. The Region has clearly stated (in the report) that they do not feel the DCs are a hindrance. They do not intend to even review the DC charges until 2017. Even if they do decide to reduce them, it will be 2018 before we see any progress. So yes, lobby the Region to reduce the DCs, but in the interim, take charge, look for creative ways to offset those charges. Instead of waiting for the Region to make changes that are unlikely at best, what we should be doing is working to promote the positives and selling all that is great about this town and what this town has to offer to a potential hotel. There has been some interest from potential developers but a lot more work needs to be done if we are to be successful.

This represents an opportunity for Council to take a leadership role and find those creative solutions that can work for a potential hotel developer. It’s about working hard and being proactive, if we want to attract business, sports tourism, music festivals we need a place for visitors to stay. A hotel is a priority. It’s been talked about for years. The time is now to get to work, not wait for change at the Region. Let’s promote the positives and work on the negatives ...Lets get things done!!