Council motored through its agenda on Monday night before going into closed session to discuss personnel issues. Some of the items on the agenda included the possible sale of the University of Waterloo building and the creation of a new ice rink. Here’s some of what happened:
University of Waterloo building to be appraised
Councillor Bob Stone brought forward a motion to have the University of Waterloo building appraised. “We have been waiting far too long to see some action on the Waterloo building and I’ve heard some rumours out there that there may be some interested parties. I would like to move that we direct staff to have the building assessed for potential sale,” he said. Councillor Karin Terziano asked who the Town’s realtor of record might be. “We don’t have a realtor of record,” said Mayor Scott Aitchison. “We’ve always just used Len Clark because we like him but I think we actually did request for a realtor of record and not a single realtor in town responded. I wouldn’t want to cast any aspersions on realtors but that seems kind of lazy,” he said. Staff will proceed with getting the building appraised.
Another outdoor skating rink for Huntsville?
The Town’s Economic Development Committee has asked staff to investigate options as well as the cost for an outdoor skating rink or trail to help relieve the demand for the trail at Arrowhead Park. “We want to help them relieve that demand and keep people satisfied by having perhaps a nice trail or rink with nighttime hours here in Huntsville,” said Councillor Bob Stone, who chairs the Economic Development Committee, in conversation with Huntsville Doppler. He said it could be a trail beside the Portage Flyer tracks, or one by the lookout field. He said options are being investigated. “We know that the ice trail at Arrowhead Park is in high demand and supply is low.”
Major expenditure coming at District
Councillor Brian Thompson spoke about the need to revamp Huntsville’s water and sewer infrastructure to the tune of an estimated $65 million. “I think it’s going to be a major, major discussion, something that has to be done,” he said. He said if all of the plans that have been approved in Huntsville were to be hooked up immediately, the sewage treatment infrastructure would be at 100 per cent capacity. He said a couple of options are being looked at like building the infrastructure to pump from downtown to the Golden Pheasant plant and run the pipes up the Muskoka River and across Fairy Lake. “That would be the fastest, cheapest and probably most convenient way of doing things but this is something for future discussion.” Thompson said that option concerns him although he was assured that it’s safe. He said those type of discussions will be ongoing. In terms of the cost, he said: “If there’s any pushback from some of our members of (District) council from south Muskoka, just remember that all the water that they get comes from here.” Aitchison said the responsibility for water and sewer infrastructure was one of the main reasons the District was created. He said that responsibility was given to the upper-tier government because it has the taxation power to manage such projects. See related story here.
Equipment breakdown
Staff was asked to approve the immediate purchase of a front-end loader at a cost of $204,226 plus taxes. The municipality’s 2005 John Deere loader was expected to have another two years of useful life. It became unclear whether its replacement had been budgeted as Jason Krynicki, Executive Director of Transportation Infrastructure, was not at the council meeting on Monday. Town CAO Denise Corry said staff did investigate lease options but decided purchasing would be in the best interest of the Corporation. She later informed council that she had received an email stating that the loader’s replacement was budgeted for in the Town’s capital plan but there is some confusion regarding the amount as it was not expected to be replaced for another two years. She also said funds from the sale of the existing loader would be applied back to the Town’s fleet reserve fund. Staff is hoping to get $30,000 for the old loader. Councillor Dan Armour noted the loader is a main piece of equipment for the municipality and runs continuously loading sand.
Tree removal on Muskoka Road 10
Councillor Jason Fitzgerald asked whether the District was planning to replant trees it had taken down as part of work it has been doing to replace a culvert on that road. He said he’s heard concerns. Councillor Brian Thompson, who sits on the District’s public works committee, said he’d look into it.
Mayor’s Golf Tournament
Mayor Scott Aitchison said the event raised north of $50,000. He said half of the funds will go to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation and the other half will be split between Christine’s Place and Community Living.
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Vis-à-vis a an additional outdoor rink, I have always hoped that one could be located at River Mill Park. If the central parking was removed and replaced elsewhere, e.g. a one-way High St. from Brunel to Centre (with angled parking on both sides): this would be an ideal location. It would really be the ONLY location; unless the Muskoka River freezes sufficiently. (As a recent addition to Huntsville, I cannot speak to that.)
With a small kiosk selling coffee, hot chocolate, beaver tails, etc., it would be a terrific extrapolation of the summer success of that venue. Maybe an ice sculpting contest in February like Ottawa and Quebec City is another possibility. Our park is an amazing asset and should be a year-round attraction.