HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2022-481 - KW Woodworking and Craft Centre (KWW&CC) - Extension of Existing Agreement
Community Services Department www.kitchener.ca
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: December 12, 2022
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs & Services, 519-
741-2200 ext. 7687
PREPARED BY: Lori Palubeski, Manager, Program & Resource Services, 519-741-2200
ext. 7623
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All(s)
DATE OF REPORT: November 18, 2022
REPORT NO.: CSD-2022-481
SUBJECT: KW Woodworking and Craft Centre (KWW&CC) Extension of Existing
Agreement
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a five-year funding agreement
extension with the Kitchener Waterloo Woodworking & Craft Centre, said agreement to
be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and;
That funding of $55,403 for the funding agreement with the Kitchener Waterloo
Woodworking & Craft Centre be moved from the Tier 1 grant program and placed into the
Neighbourhood Programs and services operating budget.
BACKGROUND:
Older adults are a growing segment of the population and are living healthier and longer lives
then previous generations. The City of Kitchener values the contributions that older adults make
in our community and aims to deliver a wide range of neighbourhood programs, services and
events that support their wellbeing and ability to age in place.
In 2005, Council approved the development City
of Kitchener, the City of Waterloo and the Kitchener Waterloo Woodworking and Craft Centre
(KWW&CC) for the purpose of implementing a community woodworking and craft centre. In
2018, the centre relocated to its current location (123 Ottawa Street South, Unit 2) and Council
approved a 5-year funding agreement that is set to expire in December 2022.
The KWW&CC welcomes centre hobbyists of all ages who have varying degrees of experience
in woodworking.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
REPORT:
Since opening its doorsin 2005, the Board of Directors and the centre volunteers have more
than exceeded project proposal targets as they relate to paid memberships, funding from
community grant programs, volunteer hour contributions, hours of centre operation and
community interest and engagement. The KWW&CC successfully managed the operational
challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and has fully resumed centre operations and programs.
The board has recently negotiated a lease extension with an expiration date of September 2027.
Continued financial support from both the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo is
recommended to support the ongoing operations of this community asset. The City of Waterloo
currently provides $32,000 in annual funding. Should Council approve this recommendation, the
current funding agreement would be extended, under the same terms, with an annual total of
$55,403 from the City of Kitchener.
It is recommended that the funding be removed from the Tier 1 grant program because of the
uniqueness of this relationship. As part of our joint services program with the City of Waterloo,
both municipalities strive to assume a coordinated approach to supporting the KWW&CC.
Additionally, the funding agreement between the City of Kitchener and the centre is outside of
the scope and timeframe of the Tier 1 grant stream.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This report supports the delivery of core services.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The City of Kitchener has provided annual funding to the KW Woodworking and Craft Centre
since 2006. Should Council approve this recommendation, annual funding would continue for
five years to a maximum of the current level ($55,403 per year).
There is no additional funding being requested. Staff are recommending moving the Tier 1 grant
allocation of $55,403 over to the Neighbourhood Programs and Services annual operating
budget.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Municipal staff, the Board of Directors and the centre volunteers have been working together to
consults with its centre membership according to its own by-laws and operational processes and
procedures.
committee meeting.
PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES:
CSD-16-032 - KW Woodworking & Craft Centre (KWW&CC) Agreement
Renewal
CSD-02-076 - Update on Seniors Woodworking and Craft Centre
CSD-04-021 - Proposal for a Woodworking and Craft Centre for Adults 50+ years
CSD-05-068- Joint Wood Working/Craft Centre Project Shared Services
Partnership
APPROVEDBY: Michael May, General Manager Community Services & DCAO
ATTACHMENTS:
None