Youth summer programs have the go-ahead from Fort Frances town council.
The town was initially not going to go ahead with the programs, commonly referred to at Rec ‘n’ Crew, because of the pandemic.
Councillor Doug Judson says the programs are important to those who use them.
“We have to remember that not everyone has local grandparents or aunts and uncles who can assist with childcare as well, and some people have don’t have that support at all anymore. So I think it’s unfair to suggest that they’re asking too much of us to offer these services,” says Judson.
Councillor Wendy Brunetta notes other communities have been able to run programs and sees no reason why they can’t happen here.
“I don’t understand why we can’t run them. In fact, it’s been a whole year with other communities running them. All the standard operating procedures have been put in place, so it’s not like you have to reinvent the wheel,” says Brunetta.
Council’s approval gives the go-ahead first to hire staff.
Administration had suggested that might be difficult given this late in the year.
Councillor Mike Behan initially want to wait a year, but he’s now willing to give it a shot.
“I do, however, want to caution parents not to expect the summer program to look like those of years past. This is a very short window in terms of planning, not to mention the added burden of designing activities and programs that adhere to current public health guidelines,” Behan.
No start date has been announced.
It was previously suggested programming could go for five weeks.
