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A 'hub' of activity: West Perth continues infrastructure updates

The new West Perth municipal offices opened late last year, right next door to the municipality's newer fire hall. Both buildings are across the street from the ongoing Keterson Park Pavilion project, all part of a growing central hub in West Perth
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West Perth Mayor Walter McKenzie inside council chambers.

Not long after it officially opened, West Perth municipal office's council chambers in Mitchell were packed with residents: all were accommodated for an important meeting at the new building on Wellington Street. 

"We would not have fit half of them into the old building," said West Perth Mayor Walter McKenzie. 

McKenzie has provided more than a few nickel tours since the new $3.7 million building opened last fall. At 14,000 square feet, the building is one-floor and fully accessible - a modern day government requirement that was a factor, but not the only reason the municipality decided to build new. 

The former municipal building, on land owned by the municipality, has numerous, costly issues, from top to bottom. 

"I know everyone hates consultants, but we were told it would cost more to renovate than build new," the mayor said of the decision. 

West Perth council voted to move ahead with the project in July, 2021. 

McKenzie said the municipal offices, which provide space for senior staff, storage and a meeting room for community groups, is part of a plan, well underway, to improve and replace infrastructure. 

Right next door to the municipal building is the municipality's new fire station, which opened in January, 2021.

The 12,676 square foot fire hall cost nearly $2.7 million.

Fire personnel respond to an average of 120 emergency calls each year over a large geographical area. The department includes three full-time staff (Chief, Fire Prevention Officer and an administrative assistant) and 27 volunteer firefighters. 

McKenzie, first elected as a councillor in 1981, joked that the old fire hall was so cramped, you had to turn sideways to get around the firetrucks.

"The need was there, we had to do something," the mayor said. 

The new fire station features four drive-through bays, a hose drying tower, a museum area for antique fire trucks, a radio room, offices for fire personnel, a kitchen, and a dual purpose training room/emergency operations centre. Its design takes into account the health and safety of the firefighters and improved response capabilities.

Across the street from the municipal building and fire station is the $1.6 million Keterson Park Pavilion project, a multi-purpose facility still being built. Designed for indoor sports, the pavilion will also include washrooms and a booth and bar for tournaments. 

The municipality met with user groups to get an understanding of what they wanted to see added to Keterson Park. 

The new projects compliment existing infrastructure including the nearby arena and community centre, and "world-class" ball parks. 

"We kind of created a centralized hub," said Jeff Brick, CEO of West Perth. 

For the municipal offices, Brick credited wise decisions to plan ahead by past councils and municipal staff. The project came in "technically under budget" - the municipality used reserves that had stock piled for more than 15 years, the CEO said. The building meets the principals of accessibility and functionality, and was "good value for the municipality," Brick said. 

While the municipal building received little funding from the provincial or federal governments, about $160,000 in total, the Keterson Park Pavilion project has received $461,000 in federal funding and $349,000 in provincial funding. West Perth has also committed funds for the project, leaving about $400,000 to be raised by donations, sponsorship, and, perhaps, naming rights.

"If you have enough money we can name it after you," McKenzie said with a grin. 

The mayor said the big projects have come in on budget or close to it and that has been no easy task, especially over the past few years during COVID. The main street through Mitchell has also been updated, including sewer work, which was costly and took a few years, McKenzie said, but should be good for a few generations.

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Over his 13 years as mayor, McKenzie said council and staff have worked together to get important projects done, cognizant that they are benefiting everyone across the municipality. 

The 11-member council will ultimately vote on what to do with the old municipal building, just a stone's throw from the new build. 

A few voters have mentioned to the mayor that it used to be a high school and they would be saddened to see the old building torn down. 

"There are still a number of elderly seniors who went to high school there, they have attachments to that building." 

Well aware of his fiduciary duties, the mayor said public input will be sought and staff will prepare a report before a decision is made.

"What the future holds for it is a council decision."