A Kamloops City Councillor says the city could have done a better job as it tries to take over operations at St. Andrews on the Square from the Kamloops Heritage Society

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Denis Walsh says there has been a communication problem between the two sides.

“We should have asked more questions. Like there was no business case presented. Like how is the city going to afford to take over from a partially volunteer group?” Walsh said. “You know, where are we going to get the staff and what is that staff currently doing that we’re going to lose. So that’s my problem. As a council we should have asked more questions, and at least got a financial case for taking it over.”

Walsh says there have been some closed door meetings – including one last Friday – between the two sides, and he is hoping to have some sort of an update at council next Tuesday.

He admitted he is a little surprised with how long drawn out the process has been to this point. But Denis Walsh concedes that’s likely because of how the situation was handled to begin win.

“Because it seems to be a surprise to the society. I guess it’s communications,” he added. “In my estimation, what the biggest problem was is that this volunteer that was operating it couldn’t afford the huge expense of maintaining a city asset. That’s the big problem, you know to maintain a building of that size in pristine condition is expensive.”

Deputy Mayor Mike O’Reilly previously told NL that the transition has been in the works for several years. Heritage Society President Peggy Broad though said turning St Andrews on the Square over to the city to operate is a bad idea.