Both Mayor Gord Krantz and Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray said the projects will likely also need to be supported by partnering with developers that can build condominiums above the public facilities. That would help the Town cover the remaining $14 million project costs, which development charges don’t fully cover.

The Town is also in talks with Wilfrid Laurier University to possibly share use of the facilities if the university sets up a campus in town. “I don’t think the arts and entertainment centre is going to be built without those other partners in place,” Mowbray said, noting arts facilities aren’t eligible for funding from development charges.

Council approved in principle the 45,000-square-foot arts centre in July, 2006 at a total cost of about $20 million. However, the Town’s proposed budget for 2009 shows the now $26 million project isn’t expected to start design and construction until 2011, with a completion date of 2013. Land has been set aside in the southeast quadrant at Main Street and Thompson Road near Lions Sports park.

The 40,000-square-foot central library was endorsed by council earlier this year, but with an expected completion date of 2011. Construction for it is now expected to be complete in 2013.

The Town has applied to the Province and the federal government to each carry a third of the project costs through the ‘Building Canada’ fund for communities with less than 100,000 people.

Earlier this year, Milton received $1.1 million from the Province to complete the $2.5 million Beaty branch library on Fourth Line at the east end of Hearst Boulevard. Ironically, the Town’s proposed 2009 budget shows council may have to consider postponing the opening of Beaty library until 2010 if it wants to reduce next year’s property tax increase, which is currently proposed at 5.6 per cent.

Unlike the arts and entertainment centre, however, a new central library will receive some funding from development charges.