Council narrowing striking down a request to help fund repairs at Forest Hills School.
The school asking for $25,500 from the city for a more than $75,000 project that would see the gym floor and the bleachers at the school fixed up.
While the province owns the school, the city supports programming at the attached community centre known as the Forest Hills Community Centre and Ward-4 Councillor David Merrithew says he doesn’t want to spend money on repairs for buildings that don’t belong to them saying they’re opening a door that is dangerous to open. Councillor-At-Large Shirley McAlary echoing Merrithew’s comments saying if they approve this request, then other people will come to the city looking for money.
Ward-4 Councillor Ray Strowbridge says supporting the project is the obvious choice because while the community centre is under a provincially-owned roof, they serve the children and families of the city of Saint John. Ward-2 Councillor John MacKenzie says this is a partnership they need to build on, not back away from.
Five voted not to give the money while four voted yes.
