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I HH SH HE ==. 4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Could start before snow flies Governments confirm funding for Scugog's community centre By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Federal and provincial infrastructure funding has been approved for Scugog Township's proposed community centre. Scugog Mayor Howard Hall announced approval of funding for the $850,000 project at the Scugog arena site last Thursday, and outlined plans to fast track the proposal in an attempt to turn sod before the snow flies. "We'll be deciding over the next week just how quickly we can get to the tender process, and get things started," said Mayor Hall. He wants a final pricing scheme for the hall, which will be a multiple use facility includ- ing a banquet hall and fully- equipped kitchen, as well as proposed site plans in time for the council's next meeting, Oct. 31. If the council can approve the site plan and formulate a tender for a general contractor for the project, the municipality can proceed with the project "and get the walls and roof up before Christmas," said the mayor. Any delays will mean the community hall "will have to be a spring-time project," he added. A tight schedule has been set for the project, said Mayor Hall: "At this point in time we are about 10 days behind our planning schedule, so we are not in bad shape." Funding for the community centre -- the township will be responsible for one third of the cost -- was part of a package worth more than $1 million announced last week as part of the Canada -- Ontario Infrastructure Works program, brainchild of Prime Minister Jean Chretien and a major plank in his election campaign last fall. It sees the province and the feds contributing two thirds of the cost for major municipal projects in an effort to create jobs. Other projects in Scugog Township will include improve- ments to Rotary Park and resur- facing of 10 streets in the munic- ipality. It is estimated the projects will create the equivalent of 472 person-weeks of employ- ment locally. Durham MP Alex Shepherd said the project will give a much-needed boost to the local economy. "Creating jobs locally is the major goal of the infrastructure program," he said. "Building the new community centre will do just that, while providing a central meeting place for the people of Scugog Township." Durham East MPP Gord Mills was also enthusiastic about the funding announce- ment. "The Township of Scugog has used its infrastructure alloca- tion for a variety of projects that will include streets, parks and other community facilities, while enhancing the quality of life for residents," he said. Mayor Hall said much plan- ning has gone into the commu- nity hall; a need for such a municipal facility was identified when a major study of recre- ation resources was conducted here in 1987. "It is a good idea; it is need- ed," he said, noting that there has been some opposition to the project, primarily from res- idents who question a major expenditure during tough eco- nomic times. There are others who insist a swimming pool or a second pad for the Scugog arena should be built, said the mayor. But the township simply can't afford that, he said. "The reason we didn't go for either of those projects was that the infrastructure money was nowhere near what they required," he said. More than $5 million worth of funding for projects being undertaken by the Durham Region Board of Education was announced at a press con- ference in Whitby last week. The majority of work locally will involve enhancement of energy-saving initiatives and paving of parking lots and play areas, said Scugog public school board trustee Bobbie Drew. In total, 10 projects worth $5,847,000 were approved under the Canada/Ontario Infrastructure Works pro- gram. The initiate sees the provincial and federal gov- ernments contributing two- thirds of the cost toward pro- jects; the board will contribute the remaining third. Mrs. Drew said after the press conference that many of the projects fall under the board's current infrastructure budget definitions, so funds have been allocated. The government sponsor- ship allows much more to be done than the board could have attempted alone, she added. "This is roughly what we had scheduled anyway," she said. "But we can do that much more (with the government funding). "We are able to go three times as far with the partner- Board announces $5M in infrastructure work ship of the other two levels of government." Local projects covered by the grants include: : 0 paving of parking lots and play areas at R.H. Cornish P.S. and Port Perry High School a connection of local schools to the board's energy man- agement system network, which will track energy man- agement in 27 schools in the region a lighting upgrades and an electrical system upgrade at the high school Another major project will be the expenditure of $500,000 to install an elevator and access ramps at Brock High School, said Mrs. Drew. The funding was announced by three area politicians -- Gord Mills of Durham East, Larry O'Connor of Durham-York, and Oshawa MP Ivan Grose -- as well as board chair Patricia Bowman Friday (Oct. 21). It's estimated the projects will create more than 79 per- son-years of employment. "All of these projects have to go through the tendering process," said Mr. Drew. "But we expect the majority of these projects will be done in the spring and summer next year." Ag Society will hold all-candidates' meeting There will be an all-candi- dates' meeting for those seeking ward seats on Scugog Township council, after all. Last week, members of the local agricultural society announced they'll be holding a public forum in Port Perry's Latcham Centre Nov. 2, starting at 7 p.m. It follows by one week an all- candidates' meeting for mayor, regional councillor and school board trustee hopefuls, being staged at the high school by the Chamber of Commerce Oct. 26. A moderator has yet to be chosen for the evening, but plans are to have each candidate deliver a brief address, then E53 E: 5 i American Dream face questions from the floor, said organizer Shirley Hunter. "It's still in the planning stages right now," she said last week. "We just decided Wednesday night to do this." The primary issue in this campaign for the ag society will be an ongoing dispute with the current council on a lease for Sp a Unit #7, Port Perry (905) 985-0715 Authorized by the CFO of DAVID MALCOLM Campaign MALCOLM |[p Serious Leadership with True Vision Port Perry's fairgrounds. The township has offered the fair organizers a new lease for the property, but insists on a termi- nation clause. The ag society is adamantly opposed to inclusion of the clause. They caused a furor during the annual fair this past Labor Day weekend by posting _ a sign that warned of a hidden agenda on the part of council- lors. Council members angrily denied making any secret plans for development of the fair- grounds, insisting the clause is Highlights also available Marilyn WARD 2 - COUNCILLOR 115 Perry Street , Port Perry 985-3597 Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 to 5: Evenings available: Sat. 9 to 2 Appointments not always needed Hair Services by: ~~ Nails By: Leigh, Julie Anne * Mens' & Ladies cuts ~~ * Acrylic fills * Colours, Perms, * New set * Waxing, Earpiercing for council a standard part of any contract. Mrs. Hunter said no specific questions regarding the fair- grounds have been prepared by organizers, but they obviously hope the issue will be discussed. ~~ "We'd like them to let the public know where they stand on it," she said. All council candidates will likely be in the hot seat during discussion of the contentious issue, but Ward 5 candidates Karen Puckrin and Wally Donaldson will be singled out, as their new ward includes the fairgrounds. II. 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