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It has been reported recently in our local papers that municipal properties will soon be going on MLS with a local Realtor. What has not been reported is that in all likelyhood the Crowsnest Learning Centre (CLC) will be one of the first properties up for sale.
My concern is not that the CLC will be sold but that for the sake of a quick sale and a commission cheque our municipality will be short-changed, because of a lack of 'vision and a plan'.
In my opinion, simply settling for an increased tax base through the sale of this property is short-sighted. We should be sending out 'expressions of interest' to major Hotel/Casino operations with the intent to 'lease' out this property (similar to what the Fabro's did with Timmy's and Mac's) or at the very least retain some control by way of retaining an ownership interest (partnership). This in turn will not only increase our tax base but ultimately give us much more control and bang for the buck in the long term, so to speak.
The suggestion above, is only one idea. I'm sure there are more out there if people start putting their minds to it, which is what the intent of this post is. Let's hear what you have to say? After all, it is your property they will be selling.
Awareness leads you forward, while lack of awareness leads you nowhere.
Monday, March 15, 2010
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3 comments:
I do not totally disagree with you,but seldom does it work out well for the taxpayer when Government gets involved in business.I have seen billions wasted on federal and provincial levels of government getting into business,both tories and libs.I doubt the CNP could do any better.If money can be made with a new Hotel/Casino, then it will happen.Businessmen are always looking for opportunity.Maybe council and CF could float the idea with an incentive, build a new Hotel and no property tax for a few years.Or maybe reduced tax if they build a large indoor pool that the public could use.
John
Couple of comments
1/First of all the properties that are available are all listed at the following address.
www.town.crowsnestpass.ab.ca/services/for-sale
We decided to list with MLS, because the properties have been available for a long time and maybe we would do better listing them with people that sell real estate for a living.
2/To this point there has been no discussion regarding the listing of the CLC property or any other properties, than what you see on the list above at least as far as I know.
3/Hotel/Casino I would love to see that here.
Couple of thoughts on this issue, short term I am told that our hospitality industry is running at less than 30% of occupancy for 2009 and 2010
About two years ago I had a discussion with a fellow that runs a casino, he told me that the province (even though they would never admit it) are not allowing any new casinos. And that to get a casino you would have to show that you could provide enough volunteer groups to do the casinos, with the catch being that they would have to be groups that have not dealt with an existing casino.
Is that totally true? I don't know but it would certainly be worth some research.
I was also told by a businessman that built a hotel in one of our neighbouring communties that if we want to attract this type of business here, the first thing we need to do is to clean up the eyesores in our municipalities. He told me people should be coming here to admire the beauty, not laugh at what we allow.
In line with the previous poster I get very concerned about government going into business, the list of success stories would be a very short one.
Dean Ward
Along with the CLC isn't there 80 acres north of Pineview that will soon be transferred into municipal hands?
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