A note about wireless Internet being installed in the Penhold Regional Multiplex turned into a discussion on when and how Wi-Fi can be accessed by the public during the regular council meeting Oct. 22.
Chief Administrative Officer Rick Binnendyk's report to council contained the information that wireless had been installed, increasing the cost $50 a month and slowing down the current service.
Binnendyk's report said if council wanted to open the system throughout the building, increasing capacity would cost an extra $200 a month plus $500 for installation.
“We don't have hard cable into the building yet,” Binnendyk said to council.
Mayor Dennis Cooper noted the Internet access has to be “beamed” over to the multiplex.
Coun. Danielle Klooster said she had thought wireless Internet access was supposed to be available to the public in the building.
“There are parents that spend a lot of hours in this facility ... that should be a public service that's available,” she said.
Cooper suggested looking into other providers. Binnendyk said when the Internet service was first brought to the multiplex, different options were looked into thoroughly.
“This was by far the best value,” he said.
Cooper pointed out that was three years ago. He said at his own business, which also “beams” Internet in, they were able to increase capacity.
“The cost of providing has dropped drastically,” he said.
Klooster suggested if cost was an issue, providing some time for free and then charging for any additional use might be a solution.
Coun. Chad Hoffman suggested doing a month-long trial and then considering the cost for the 2013 budget so they had some data on usage.
Coun. Heather Klein said she wasn't opposed to opening up the Internet, but added Binnendyk had said the town staff were already having difficulties with their systems slowing down.
“My concern with opening it up too soon, too quick is then our staff can't work,” she said.
Council did not make any motions on the matter, deciding to address the issue later.
“Let's put a plan together,” Cooper said.
