Town H all Plan Approved Mr. Moriyana said that, before drawing up the plans for the building, he and his consultants tried to discover a unique quality or essence of Whitby. To do this, Mr. Moriyama conducted an urban design study to determine how the building could relate to Whttby's past and future, something simple yet capable of expanding.- Mr. .-Moriyama's philos- ophy shows through in his plans. He feels that the important aspect is not just to design a building but to make it mesh with human activities in the town. A municipal shouldn't just be where you pay building a place taxes, it should be a place where people like to go, he said. Whitby Council over- whelmingly approved archi- tect Raymond Moriyarna's plans for the new municipal building on Rossland Road. Vol. 5 No. 10 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 1975 TEN CENTS Grants Are Possibility by Gisele Seguin Whitby citizens who have a house that needs correction of faulty structural and sani- tary conditions and the up- grading of plumbing, heating and electrical systems might soon be able to apply for an Ontario Home Renewal Pro- gram (OHRP) grant. Bill Wallace, town clerk for Whitby, said the docu- ments for the OHRP grant are drawn up and before the administration council. Whitby has to adopt cither a minimum housing standards bylaw or a resolution setting such. standards before an OHRP grant is possible. "OHRP is directly oriented to low and moderate income families, with a maxi- mum income of $12,500," said Donald Irvine, Housing Minister. The maximum amount of an OHRP loan, as determined by the local municipality is $7,500, less any funding from other home renewal programs. The municipality is also responsible for deter- Local Schools Win by Gisele Seguin Four Whitby high schools participated in the Durham Region Collegiate Drama Festival at G. L. Roberts Collegiate last Wednesday. Ammunition For CRAP The residents of tie cor- ridor area may have more ammunition in their figh t for sanitary sewers in their area. A group from the area, Concerned R a t e pay e r s Against Pollution (CRAP), was turned down by council a month ago when it requested proper sewage facilities. After the heavy rainfall of last week, many of the septic tanks overflowed into a near- by creek at the end of Gar- rard Road. When a child of Leona Andrews returned home after playing near the creek, the stench was "unbearable". Mrs. Andrews, of 187 Meadow Road made several phone calls to people who she thought would help her. They didn't. Finally, she got a hold of Councillor Joy Thompson. As a result of their phone calls, the health authority sent a representative down to take samples. He discovered that the water in the area was filled with bacteria and advised parents to keep their children away from the creeks. CRAP's fight continues. Even though Oshawa's Central Collegiate Institute with 'Game of Life' won, some Whitby high schools received several awards as they put their presentations before the adjudicator, David Schatzky. The Ontario Ladies' Col- lege presented 'Cobbler, Stick To They Last' for which they received the Adjudicator's Award as runner up to Cen- tral Collegiate Institute. The play was about Canadian settlers in Nova Scotia. Paula Richards won one of the three outstanding per- forners award. Miss Richards played the male cobbler-hero in the one-act play. Awards of merit were won by Jenni- fer Brice and Roxanne Mac- Donald. Anderson Collegiate and Vocational Institute received an award of 'merit to the whole cast and directors Robert Ellis and Lynda Nimigon for their production of James Reaney's 'Colois in the Dark'. Mr. Schatzky described Henry Street Higli School's 'Elizabeth 1' as a challenging play. The play involved a drama ábout the life and time of Elizabeth 1. Mr. Schatzky said this play depended a lot on the use of language. He remarked the pacing was a little off and it was sometimes difficult to tell when they were on as actors or when they were playing the actual role. He said the handling of a large cast on stage was well done, as was the chorus speaking. Dennis O'Connor High School staged the familiar play 'The Sandbox' by Ed- ward Albee Mr. Schatzky said the play explored the contemporary values, the emasculation of Daddy and a totally plastic young nman. mining the rate of interest charged on the loan, from zero to eight per cent and what portion of the loan will be "forgiven" and therefore need not be paid back. Whitby council has to agree with the province and meet the housing policy requirements. Also the muni- 'cipality has to handle the bookkeepîng and paper work in order to get this grant for the town. Grants for the implemen- tation of the Ontario Home Renewal Program (OHRP) have been allocated to Ajax and the Town of Pickering. Ajix has been allocated $13,745 and Pickering $18,261. If Whitby does get this grant, citizens with housing problems will have to fill out an application and then an investigation will be made to sec if they are eligible for it Councillor Tom Edwards was the'lone opponent of the plans for the building. The building, to.be.on the south side of Rossland Road, could cost a, total of $2,379,000.00. However, with certain reductions such as accessories landscaping, furnishings and an ice rink, the cost would be $1,971,000.00. Raymond Moriyama, who Mayor Des Newman described as one of Canada's greatest architects, described the building's concept. Mr. Moriyama also said he tried to create an atmosphere of openness. In keeping with this, Mr. Moriyama proposed that the hill on the building's proper- ty be used for skiing or toboganning and that a skat- ing rink be included for the winter. In the summer, it could be used for an amphitheatre. He feels that another advantage of the hill is that the mayor and councillors could look down over the town at the people whose lives they control. The two storey building will include a chamber, public meeting room and offices for the mayor, councillors and the town's staff with colourful and helpful signage. The building's exterior will be a "warm, light, British brown" and adequate parking will be provided. The mayor and councillors asked Mr. Moriyama some questions before voicing their opinions on the plans. Councillor Tom Edwards, the only opponent, asked Mr. Moriyama if a satisfactory municipal building could have been built on the north side of Rossland Road, to which the architect replied that many areas would be suitable. He lias been a proponent of building on the north side where MayorDes Newman "stole", on behalf of the town, 1 acres for $5,000 per acre. Council- lor Tom Edwards feels that at a time-when Whitby is short on recreational facilities adequate .sewers and good roads, the town should not be spending $2,500,000.00on this project. Councillor Don Lovelock supported the plans as he fels the building will pro- vide a focal point for new- comers. He pointed out that the project is a culmination of 26 meetings between Mr. Morijana and council. Coun- cillor Lovelock thinks that one of the greatest things about the urban design study is that it could lay .down criteria for future develop- ment in the town. Councillor Joy Thompson supported the building be- cause it is a "wonderful people place" where people can go to meet their friends. Councillor Jim Gartshore supported the plans drawn up by a fantastic "salesman" although he would have liked the building closer to the centre of Whitby. Councillor Gerry Emm supported the plans although he thinks the town could have built the complex a couple of years ago for much less money. Councillor John Goodwin another supporter, described the complex as an "exciting building" designed by an "exciting man". Mayor Des Newman, who supported the plans, explained how the cost of the building would be met. Two years ago the town bought 300 acres of land and sold it for a profit of about $1,500,000.00. This, along with subdividers' levies, will meet the basic cost while the taxpayers will pay for the rink if it is installed. Coun- cillor Goodwin added that the town could obtain grants which would'ease the burden. Mayor Newman added "l'm glad I was here when the thing was born." The building could be finished by May 30, 1976. CRUISER CRUNCHED A Friday night accident on Hwy. 401 at Henry Street sent an Ontario Provincial Police constable to the hospital with head injuries. Constable Paul Burns, 29, of the Whitby O.P.P. detachment was parked on the shoulder of the east bound lane at 9:05 p.m. Friday investigating a minor accident when his cruiser was apparently rear-ended by an east-bound tractor trailer. Burns was released from the Ajax-Pickering General Hospital Monday, but will be off work for an indefinite period due to severe whiplash and muscle spasms he is apparently suffering. Gaston Payeur of Montreal has been charged with careless driving. Free Press Photo by Mike Burgess