Over the past few weeks there have been a number of common questions on the New Dundee Park Improvement Project. As I hear and receive them, I will try to post some of the most common questions here. If you have a question and do not see it on this site, please let me know!
"When will renderings or concept drawings be available for the project?"
A landscape architect is creating concept drawings for us so that we can better envision the potential design of the future parks (both the Community Park and the Ball Diamond). They will be available in early September.
"When will construction take place?"
Construction will begin as soon as we can (hopefully) in the fall of 2009 and must be completed by March 2011 (as per the funding agreements).
"What is being considered as part of the Community Park upgrades?"
The Tennis courts will receive proper court surfacing to repair the damaged surface, which is a liability issue; a brand new toddler/children's playground will be built and relocated in the park to replace the existing playground; a multi-use sports court will be constructed that will allow for games such as basketball, road hockey and potential flooding in the winter for outdoor skating; aesthetic enhancements such as benches, flower gardens, trees and landscaping; a small parking area near the Bandshell so that visitors and users don't have to park on the streets or on the grass.
"Why can't this money go towards other projects such as the library?"
To qualify for funding, the projects needed to be considered "shovel-ready", and only parks and recreation projects qualified. The Township portion of the funding ($100,000.00) was allocated to resolving two of the known liabilities that already exist - safety concerns with the existing ball diamond and the children's playground. The library is being considered as a separate project and Council, Municipal and Regional Staff are working together to properly address our library needs in the very near future. Stay tuned for more information in the near future!
"Will any parkland be sold for development?"
No parkland will be sold for development in New Dundee - in fact, this project significantly increases the acreage of usable parkland in New Dundee .
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 10th Council Meeting - Wilmot Recreation Complex Phase II is kicking off...
The opportunity that Wilmot has been given to build Phase II of our Wilmot Recreation Complex is a gift not to be taken lightly.
Phase II, including an aquatics centre, Youth centre, indoor walking track and Seniors centre will cost just over $9,000,000.00 and thanks to Federal and Provincial funding as well as sound financial planning on behalf of Wilmot Council and staff, it will be built without debenturing or having to increase tax revenues.
At the Budget Ad-Hoc meeting on August 10th, there was a discussion over whether or not to re-hire our Project Manager from Phase I and the Grandstand projects. Over the years, Wilmot has built a good working relationship with this management team - and most importantly the project management team provides a consistent and reliable service which is below costs compared to others in the industry. There is certain perceptions about deficiencies with these buildings, many of which I do not share.
The debate at Council is not about whether or not to tender for the service; the debate is about whether or not Council has faith and confidence in the project management team. As a steward of the Township, when embarking on a $9,000,000.00 project I do not want a Project Manager promising to deliver on something and cutting corners and sacrificing quality to make it happen; I want a Project Manager who has the professionalism and courtesy to say to me that the project is at risk or timelines are delayed due to certain specific and valid reasons. That way, I can work with the PM to identify risks, challenges and mitigation strategies instead of forcing them to a schedule that can jeopardize the entire project. I feel with our PM we have this type of reliable team on board to help Wilmot realize the dream of Phase II in a timely yet efficient and open manner.
Phase II, including an aquatics centre, Youth centre, indoor walking track and Seniors centre will cost just over $9,000,000.00 and thanks to Federal and Provincial funding as well as sound financial planning on behalf of Wilmot Council and staff, it will be built without debenturing or having to increase tax revenues.
At the Budget Ad-Hoc meeting on August 10th, there was a discussion over whether or not to re-hire our Project Manager from Phase I and the Grandstand projects. Over the years, Wilmot has built a good working relationship with this management team - and most importantly the project management team provides a consistent and reliable service which is below costs compared to others in the industry. There is certain perceptions about deficiencies with these buildings, many of which I do not share.
The debate at Council is not about whether or not to tender for the service; the debate is about whether or not Council has faith and confidence in the project management team. As a steward of the Township, when embarking on a $9,000,000.00 project I do not want a Project Manager promising to deliver on something and cutting corners and sacrificing quality to make it happen; I want a Project Manager who has the professionalism and courtesy to say to me that the project is at risk or timelines are delayed due to certain specific and valid reasons. That way, I can work with the PM to identify risks, challenges and mitigation strategies instead of forcing them to a schedule that can jeopardize the entire project. I feel with our PM we have this type of reliable team on board to help Wilmot realize the dream of Phase II in a timely yet efficient and open manner.
New Dundee Parks in 2010: Newer, Bigger and Better!
After years of hard work and persistence, New Dundee will not only be home to the premier ball diamonds in Wilmot, but will also have a community park that will be the envy of many.
As reported in the New Hamburg Independent and the Kitchener Record over the last few months, Wilmot Township applied through the Federal and Provincial government “Recreation Infrastructure Program” for assistance in funding an ambitious and exciting park project in New Dundee. This application was submitted through a partnership with the New Dundee Minor Ball Association and was supported both by our Member of Provincial Parliament Leeanna Pendergast and our Member of Parliament Harold Albrecht.
The project includes building two fully serviced baseball diamonds on the designated Township land at our Community Centre. Our exiting Community Park will see major upgrades; the construction of a new and enhanced toddler/children’s playground closer to the park gates, building a multi-use sports court to accommodate basketball and outdoor hockey, resurfacing the tennis courts with proper tennis court surface, a small parking area near the Heritage Bandshell and other esthetic enhancements such as landscaping and additional trees. With these upgrades we will add acres to the New Dundee park system.
This entire project will cost $648,000.00. Both the Federal and Provincial governments have contributed $216,000.00 each, the Township has allocated $100,000.00 and through a partnership with New Dundee Minor Ball the remaining funds will be raised through fundraising. Construction will begin in late 2009.
I am very excited about this project, and proud to see that it will be a reality after so many years of working to improve our park system. I am looking forward to the continuing the great community collaboration over the next year as we enhance our parks together. New Dundee Minor Ball has established a series of committees that will be reaching out to recruit members and get the projects off the ground.
An official community kickoff will be held later this fall and I look forward to seeing everyone there to support this exciting and ambitious project!
As reported in the New Hamburg Independent and the Kitchener Record over the last few months, Wilmot Township applied through the Federal and Provincial government “Recreation Infrastructure Program” for assistance in funding an ambitious and exciting park project in New Dundee. This application was submitted through a partnership with the New Dundee Minor Ball Association and was supported both by our Member of Provincial Parliament Leeanna Pendergast and our Member of Parliament Harold Albrecht.
The project includes building two fully serviced baseball diamonds on the designated Township land at our Community Centre. Our exiting Community Park will see major upgrades; the construction of a new and enhanced toddler/children’s playground closer to the park gates, building a multi-use sports court to accommodate basketball and outdoor hockey, resurfacing the tennis courts with proper tennis court surface, a small parking area near the Heritage Bandshell and other esthetic enhancements such as landscaping and additional trees. With these upgrades we will add acres to the New Dundee park system.
This entire project will cost $648,000.00. Both the Federal and Provincial governments have contributed $216,000.00 each, the Township has allocated $100,000.00 and through a partnership with New Dundee Minor Ball the remaining funds will be raised through fundraising. Construction will begin in late 2009.
I am very excited about this project, and proud to see that it will be a reality after so many years of working to improve our park system. I am looking forward to the continuing the great community collaboration over the next year as we enhance our parks together. New Dundee Minor Ball has established a series of committees that will be reaching out to recruit members and get the projects off the ground.
An official community kickoff will be held later this fall and I look forward to seeing everyone there to support this exciting and ambitious project!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Ward 1 gets a blog!
Our community is priveleged, our people are strong and over the past few years, together, we have made a difference. Yet there is still lots of work to be done.
I did not join Wilmot Council to oppose any person or for the wrong reasons; I joined Wilmot Council because I believe in the power of community and that great things can happen when a community works together. Most importantly, I enjoy making a difference in my community.
Welcome to my Blog - if you are from New Dundee, Mannheim, Punky Doodles Corners or anywhere else in Wilmot Township I hope you find the information found here interesting, informative and engaging. I welcome any feedback, questions and comments.
Feel free to subscribe to this blog, or check it regularly. I will be updating it as events happen, sometimes a few times within the week.
Together, we can make a difference!
Elliot
I did not join Wilmot Council to oppose any person or for the wrong reasons; I joined Wilmot Council because I believe in the power of community and that great things can happen when a community works together. Most importantly, I enjoy making a difference in my community.
Welcome to my Blog - if you are from New Dundee, Mannheim, Punky Doodles Corners or anywhere else in Wilmot Township I hope you find the information found here interesting, informative and engaging. I welcome any feedback, questions and comments.
Feel free to subscribe to this blog, or check it regularly. I will be updating it as events happen, sometimes a few times within the week.
Together, we can make a difference!
Elliot
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