Port Perry Agricultural Society (PPAS) is raising concerns about conflicting information and reports that the cost of the “Visioning Exercise” may have increased to $150,000, according to the township’s capital projects status report released last week.
The project, carried out by Toronto-based consulting firm Darwin Pivot, was originally advertised as staying just under $100,000. The possibility of a budget increase has caused confusion and concern among Port Perry residents, said a PPAS statement.
“At a time when everything is getting more expensive, people are sensitive to growing costs,” said Paul Puckrin, PPAS President. “Especially when the purpose of the project has been unclear from the outset.”
Lack Of Clarity
In addition to uncertainty over project expenditures, there is a lack of clarity about the exercise’s scope and objectives. While the mayor has recently stated that no decision on the fairgrounds has been made, her comments appear to contradict statements made previously to a PPAS member, the statement said.
It said in early discussions with PPAS, a member of the Darwin Pivot team indicated that the consultant’s expertise would be used to turn community feedback into feasible design options – a role that seems to align with the original RFP. At the same time, reports now suggest that council may not continue with the project after Phase 2 is complete.
“Scugog Council pursued this exercise despite strong public sentiment,” added Puckrin. “So far, it hasn’t produced any information we didn’t already know: that the fairgrounds park should be protected. Instead, residents are left with vagueness and unanswered questions. Was this done intentionally, to preserve flexibility for a predetermined outcome? Or because the project hasn’t been fully thought through? Either way, it could cost the public up to $150,000.”
You May Also Wish To Read