On October 16, 2003, the Lions Club of Kingsville donated lands and buildings to the Town of Kingsville, including “Lions Hall” which is the main building located inside Lions Park;
In 2003 the Lions Club entered into an agreement with the Town of Kingsville indicating that the Lions Club would occupy the main parts of the building and further that the Town of Kingsville would maintain the building and additionally pay the Lions Club a one-time payment of $53,000;
The Town of Kingsville and Lions Club now agree that the building could serve a greater community purpose under the ownership and leadership of Lions Club for the benefit of various not-for-profit agencies and organizations;
The Town of Kingsville and Lions Club now also agree that the Town of Kingsville should retain the remaining lands, known as Lions Park, for the benefit of the community;
THEREFORE, Kingsville Council DIRECTS Administration to do the following:
- Bring forward a By-law for Council consideration to declare Lions Hall building surplus to municipal purposes, pursuant to the requirements of the Municipal Act, 2001, and to be conveyed to the Lions Club under an exemption from the requirements of the Town of Kingsville’s property disposition policy; and
- Enter into an agreement with the Lions Club on the following terms and conditions:
- Transfer of the Lions Hall building for $1, in an “as is, where is” condition to the Lions Club;
- Sever the Lions Hall building from the rest of the property and park;
- Retain a right of first refusal over any future conveyance;
- Require the Lions Club to only use the building for not-for-profit uses;
- Agree to pay an annual grant for five years to the Lions Club equal in the amount of property taxes levied, with a right to renew for an additional five years subject to Council approval and Town budget;
- Register an easement in favour of the Lions Club over the park entranceway and parking area, which shall be maintained and the responsibility of the Town of Kingsville for the use of visitors to the Lions Hall as well as Lions Park;
- Terminate any ongoing obligations between the Town of Kingsville and the Lions Club that arise from the Agreements executed in 2003 and any amendment to the same; and
- Require the Lions Club to have a volunteer board of directors to oversee management of the building, representing various community groups and interests as well as holding various skills, backgrounds, and professional expertise.