At a meeting last week, the committee approved the draft budget for 2008.

Culture and recreation director Leo Broere said the department is trying to maintain existing levels of service and programs while minimizing user fee increases.

“After one full year of operation, we now have a better idea of the costs of operating the sportsplex and the 2008 budget reflects this amount,” he said.

The budget includes two major capital projects: the Peake farm ball diamond complex, pegged at $3.75 million, and the skateboard park, estimated to cost $300,000.

It is hopeful the cost of the ball diamond complex will be offset by an infrastructure grant. If the application for the grant is approved, the remaining funding of the two projects would be financed by debentures.

Town treasurer Andrew Nelan said the debentures would cost the town $100,080 starting in 2009. Nelan said 50 per cent of that amount would be built into the 2008 budget so that only $50,040 would have to be raised for 2009.

Capital spending

Other capital spending projects include the last phase of the arena boards replacement project to cost $27,100, a computer replacement program budgeted at $10,000, and furniture for the tot lot playground at the sportsplex, which will cost $32,500. The total cost of the tot lot playground is $90,000 but Ronald McDonald Charities has given a grant of $25,000, leaving $65,000 for the town to pick up. Half of the project is in the 2008 budget and the other half will be in the 2009 budget.

The next step is for the submitted budget drafts from all departments to be consolidated into a single document.

“We’re trying to be as prudent as possible and keep the taxes as low as possible,” said Nelan.