The Interim Welland Recreational Canal Corporation (WRCC) Board received a presentation yesterday from City staff regarding management and governance options.
Welland, ON – The Interim Welland Recreational Canal Corporation (WRCC) Board received a presentation yesterday from City staff regarding management and governance options. The WRCC is currently in a transitional period with an Interim Board providing governance and oversight, and senior City staff providing interim management and working with WRCC staff to prepare for the upcoming season.
Staff have been meeting with canal user groups and key stakeholders over the past few months to update them on the WRCC transition and to gather ideas and perspectives to assist the Board with their decision-making on a new management and governance structure.
The following four management models were presented to the Interim Board:
1) Status quo - (WRCC manages waterway, maintains canal lands, hire a new Executive Director, appoint new Board)
2) City Management – (City assumes management of waterway, maintains canal lands, hires Manager, reports to General Manager or CAO)
3) 3rd Party Contract – (organization is hired on contract to manage waterway, reports to Board provides oversight of corporate entity, City maintains canal lands)
4) Hybrid – (City management with staff expertise and expanded responsibilities, reports to General Manager or CAO, corporate entity, stakeholders provide strategic direction)
In terms of next steps and to assist in the process of selecting a management model, the Interim Board directed staff to organize additional consultations this spring for key stakeholders and the public to review the options and provide input. The Interim Board also agreed to retain transitional assistance from May 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016 to provide day-to-day management, liaise with user groups for this year’s events, activities, and rentals, and lead stakeholder consultations.
“At this point, the Board has a preference for Option #4 (the hybrid model) and we look forward to receiving additional input later this spring,” said Welland Mayor and Interim Board Chair Frank Campion. “The Board, wants to ensure the recreational waterway and flatwater centre achieve their full potential by capitalizing on opportunities, providing benefit to Welland businesses and residents and becoming a financially self-sustaining business enterprise”.
