Financial support for WDSS track being sought

A Wallaceburg councillor is looking for Chatham-Kent to fund a portion of Wallaceburg District Secondary School’s track project.

Jeff Wesley entered a notice of motion on Monday, asking council to fund 25% of the $535,000 project.

I’ll be asking “Chatham-Kent council (to) enforce a community capital leadership grant in the amount of $133,750, which is 25% for WDSS,” he said.

Wesley also is seeking a one time request for a grant covering 25% of the cost for a similar project in Tilbury. The project in Tilbury is $450,000, with 25% being $112,500.

“These projects will benefit these local students, sports teams, both school and non-school, charities, seniors and residents,” Wesley said. “The Lambton-Kent District School Board has committed long term financial support to the ongoing and future operation and maintenance of sports fields once the capital investment has been made.”

Wesley added council has supported similar projects at Chatham-Kent schools in the past:

– Chatham-Kent Secondary Athletic School Complex, 2002, $400,00 of the $1.6 million project.

– Dresden Community Development Association for the Lambton Kent Composite School project, 2014, $135,000 of the $540,000 project.

– Ridgetown District High School, 2015, $75,000 of a $300,000 project.

Wesley said he will be asking for a staff report before the end of the year to investigate whether the Wallaceburg and Tilbury projects are consistent with these previous funding approvals.