Town council has approved $354,167 to cover the five month operating deficit of the new phase of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC) and were tiold the anticipated base budget for 2018 will be set at $812,469.

Much of the second quarter financial report to council dwelled upon the initial financial impact of the aquatic and curling centre (phase 4) and the terms of the agreement between the rec centre's board and town. The SLSFSC board has agreed to operate phase 4 as long as the town contributes operating subsidies. SLSFSC has operated an break-even basis since it opened in 2000.

For 2017, the town had a budget of $442,469 for the Big Hill Pool. A portion of that plus the $100,000 for startup costs of the centre and $270,000 from reserve for operatimg budget fluctuations formulate the $812,469 contribition. In the rec centre's board current budget, that runs from Aug. 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018, they anticipate a subsidy of $850,000 for the first year of operaton. That amount is expected to decrease in future year, based upon anticipated revenue increases.

Final startup costs are being calculated and will be reported to council in the third quarter report. The final construction costs also haven't been released as of yet.

The second quarter report also projected the town will have a surplus of $287,000 for 2017. Larger revenue than budgeted in supplementary taxes, franchise fees, planning and safety code permits offset weakness realized elsewhere.

There's a $180,000 deficit in the policing budget due to fine revenues currently tracking under budget. There's also a $31,300 deficit in the RancheHouse budget attributed to lower than anticipated wedding revenue. The second quarter report also takes into account the $354,167 additional subsidy for the SLSFSC.