Councillor Ian MacLeod then moved that the municipality advertise for a period of four weeks, seeking proposals to operate the newer wing of the Centre, including the banquet facility and the rooms. The motion was passed by the same 4-2 vote as the first. This indicates that a similar situation as the current one will exist at the Centre, only with a different governance, funding, and employment structure in place.
Next, Councillor John Salus moved that council seek a Writ of Possession for the part of the Centre currently occupied by the Educational Consortium. The motion passed by a 4-2 vote. A Writ of Possession is essentially a court order for the occupant to immediately evict or be evicted by law enforcement officers.
The Consortium is currently remaining at their space at the Centre, where they are getting into their fall semester of post-secondary courses. Lethbridge College, one of the controlling interests in the Consortium, has stated that they feel they have a valid lease in place and thus have the right to remain in the facility.
Lastly, Councillor Cole moved that council direct their legal representative to negotiate with the Consortium for relocation. This was passed by a 4-2 vote. The Consortium has previously stated that they do not feel there is another suitable location for them within the community.
Lisa Sygutek, Chairperson of the Board states, “administration has not yet given our board formal notice to vacate the facility, but when they do, they will deal with it in a proper and legal manner”.
Sygutek notes that council only has power to remove the board from the management of the Centre, “Council does not have the right to dissolve the society itself.