The Alderville Pioneer Group appealed to Alnwick/Haldimand Township council at its committee-of-the-whole meeting this week regarding a rental fee change at the Fenella Community Hall.
The group rents the facility once a week for Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Darlene Barrett said they are currently paying $26.10 plus tax but the half-day, four hour rate is increasing to $90.
“As you can see, this is a significant jump,” Barrett said. “The Alderville Pioneer Group was established in 1975 and this year marks our 50th year of making a profound difference in the lives of people suffering from alcohol addiction. Many, if not all, would be menaces to society if not for Alcoholics Anonymous.”
Barrett said the group has been meeting at the Fenella Hall since the mid-1990s, noting the facility was originally offered for free, but the group turned that down as Alcoholics Anonymous’ 7th Tradition stipulates that groups must be fully self-supporting. Instead, members pay what they can in way of a donation at the meetings. She said a contract was signed in December of 2004 with the township to pay an annual fee of around $1,200.
During the last 12 months, the group has collected each week between $26 at the lowest and up to $65 at most. Barrett said the group relies on that to cover rental fee and snacks and medallions to recognize sobriety milestones and conferences.
“We regularly welcome newcomers and those who are attending their first meetings. These first meetings are critical to the success of the newcomer. We charge nothing, give freely of our time in hopes we can assist others in becoming sober,” Barrett said. “We could not begin to guess at the number that have been helped by our Alderville meeting over the past 50 years that we’ve opened our doors.”
A significant fee increase would force the group to close, Barrett stressed.
Asked when the space is rented, Barrett said the club uses a four-window on Wednesday evenings and the meeting runs from 8 to 9 p.m. though attendees are there early for meet and greet.
“Even last year we were there Christmas evening and New Year’s, we were there holding the meetings and they were actually well attended. Our Christmas evening on the 25th we probably had about 20 people show up. That’s quite significant.”
Deputy Mayor Joan Stover offered her support for the group, said she knows it has helped a lot of people and it needs to stay in place.
Councillor Mary Catherine O’Neill said she learned a lot from the presentation and has heard from community members about the importance of the group.
Mayor John Logel asked how many members there are and Barrett said it’s down to about five active members right now, but AA members from anywhere can show up if they are visiting the area. Others from the close surrounding area are also welcome because they might go to other locations for one meeting but want to attend more than one meeting a week.
Councillor Greg Booth asked if the group has looked into community grants the township offers. Barrett reminded that the 7th Tradition doesn’t allow for outside support.
Council supported a motion for a request for information.
Barrett followed up wondering what was decided. O’Neill told her council received it for information, not taking an action.
“It will come back to us to decide on an action and we’ll make sure somebody e-mails you to let you know when a decision or an action will be discussed.”
Clerk Emily Cartlidge reminded council that committee-of-the-whole was the time when a council member could make a recommendation to support the delegation request. The recommendation, if approved, would move forward to the regular council meeting for ratification.
Stover made a motion to support the request to keep the rental fee at $26.10 per weekly meeting and it was seconded by Booth but he suggested that rate be set only through to the end of next year “to be fair to the next council” and the group could approach again.
O’Neill agreed an ongoing review is needed and suggested it’s a big learning curve for new councils and with an election late next year the rate should stay the same perhaps until the end of 2027.
Stover maintained the rate should stay the same without review. Booth said he also supports the group but believes it still should be reviewed every few years.
Logel also offered his support, but noted since 2004 is a long time to not have an increase.
The motion was carried to keep the current rental fee in place for the Alderville Pioneer Group in Fenella until the end of 2027.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
