New Beeton arena with a significant property tax hike for it alone

I believe Beeton is due for an expansion of facilities, but we have to re-examine the finances to minimize the tax burden. I believe we can achieve a facility build-out and enhancement without the projected (and almost always underestimated) budget of $44-$46M.

Our cumulative tax increase from 2022 is approximately 27%**

Adding 5%*** for the facility and then adding the usual tax increase due to inflation, etc. will result in a total tax increase beyond 5%. Many residents are unhappy with the constant tax increases.

**Adding the individual yearly tax increases.

***Although it's stated in the proposal that a 5% tax increase would be required, there is no stated clarity on the projected tax increase due to other factors, ands as such we can't know the total tax impact from 2026-7 and beyond.

No, not at all. We already have rinks available, and property taxpayers do not want an increase in taxes.

Not in the form currently proposed. I voted against moving forward with the single-pad Beeton arena because I don't believe the cost provides enough benefit to taxpayers, particularly when we have other significant gaps in our recreation facilities.

The current concept is a very expensive single-pad arena, and the capital cost is only part of the equation. Once it's built, taxpayers are responsible for the ongoing operating and maintenance costs indefinitely. We also know that, as New Tecumseth grows, we will eventually need additional ice capacity. Building one new pad now and potentially having to address a second one somewhere else later doesn't strike me as good long term planning.

I've also listened to Beeton user groups whose needs extend beyond traditional ice sports. Ball hockey, roller derby and other dry-floor users need appropriate space too. I think we should be looking at how a future facility can serve as many residents and activities as possible rather than designing around one use.

I would like to see us investigate a larger, long-term recreation complex in Beeton, including whether the JOC lands could accommodate a twin-pad arena together with other recreation amenities, potentially including the future indoor pool. A larger site could also give us room for future expansion and ample parking as the community grows.

There may also be opportunities to fund the growth-related portions of a larger recreation complex through DC's, which should be fully explored before asking existing taxpayers to carry the entire cost.

I absolutely support maintaining municipal arena and recreation facilities in Beeton. The question for me isn't whether Beeton deserves investment. The question is whether spending tens of millions of dollars on a single-pad arena today is the best use of that investment. It isn't.

A 5% increase in taxation for the Beeton Arena is not something I support. My approach is that the replacement of the arena is something the whole of New Tecumseth deserves. But that doesn’t mean we should shoulder the cost alone. Many municipalities have built state of the art rec facilities with grants and funding from higher levels of government. It is those relationships and governments that I will bring to the table and secure funding from. Our town pays its fair share of taxes, and our residents deserve to see value for it.

I absolutely support Beeton having an arena. Where I struggle is with asking taxpayers, particularly at a time when so many households are already feeling financially stretched, to absorb an approximately 5% tax increase for this project alone.

The financial information presented to Council estimated the single-pad arena option at more than $44 million, with an equivalent tax-rate impact of approximately 5.47%. That’s significant, and it can’t be considered in isolation from all of the other needs facing our municipality.

So, would I support building that option today under the current financial circumstances? No.

That doesn’t mean I don’t support Beeton or believe it deserves an arena. Quite the opposite. I want Beeton to have a recreation facility that can serve that community for generations. I just don’t believe we should put ourselves in a position where achieving that one goal creates an unaffordable burden for taxpayers or prevents us from addressing roads, infrastructure and other priorities across New Tecumseth.

I would rather continue maintaining and repairing the existing Beeton Memorial Arena, provided it can be operated safely, while we work toward a more financially responsible path to replacement.

That means looking at future growth and the increased tax base it can bring to Beeton, development-charge funding where applicable, reserves, grants and funding opportunities from other levels of government. I would also want to revisit the project as our financial position changes rather than committing taxpayers to the entire burden today.

This is actually one of the reasons I support balanced growth across Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham. Beeton needs additional residents not simply for the tax base, but also to support its businesses, recreation facilities and community services.

I want a new arena for Beeton. The question for me isn’t whether Beeton deserves one — it absolutely does. The question is how we get there without placing an unreasonable burden on taxpayers.

Sometimes responsible leadership means saying, “Yes, I support the goal but no, I don’t support the way we’re being asked to pay for it today.”

As it stands now the Beeton Arena is already approved. Those who voted for it are Mayor, Deputy Mayor, councillors Jacks, Biss, Harrison-McIntyre, Cox and Masters.

The Beeton arena is a topic I have heard about since moving to New Tecumseth. It tends to come up as a sore point of broken promises.

No one should feel cheated and I understand the sentiment of injustice. The message comes across as "we deserve this".

Beeton has grown a great deal over the last few years. I would be interested to know numbers before I form an opinion. How many different users are we talking about across the different arenas? What is the cost per user and what do we charge them? Occupancy levels and demand levels etc.

The business case should make sense. If this is the best value for ALL residents, then we have to find a way to make it work. This shouldn't be an emotionally charged decision, rather a calculated rational action.

If someone has actual numbers, please share them.