New pool, park designs approved by Stouffville council

Leisure services projects dominating budget day at municipal offices

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 26, 2016
By Sandra Bolan

Money for the designs of Memorial Park's fifth phase and the second aquatic facility were approved by Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville council this morning.

Both projects won't be constructed until 2017. The pool has been slated for the Stouffville Clippers Sports Complex on Weldon Road.

The approvals came during the town's annual day-long budget session at the municipal offices. The meeting, which was dominated by leisure services projects this morning, is open to the public.

The Strawberry Festival's grant of $42,130 was approved but in the future, all organizations requesting grant or donation money  from the town, will have to provide financial statements for review by the treasurer. Grant approval/denial will still be done by council.

"It's just about accountability as far as I'm concerned," said Ward 5 Councillor Iain Lovatt.

"There has to be clarity on how this money is being dispensed," concurred Ward 1 Councillor Ken Ferdinands, who added it's important to know how much is being spent on salaries.

Latcham Gallery requested an additional $30,000 in grant funding. There was already $85,260 earmarked in the budget for the gallery this year.

The gallery ended up with another 10 per cent.

The Mantle site sign and two signs commemorating Capt. Roy Brown were put on the priority list for this year.

The Vandorf ball diamond had its $60,000 overhaul approved.

As baseball and softball become more popular, the diamond will go into heavy rotation until Bethesda 3 is built, according to leisure services director Rob Raycroft.

Vandorf park will get its parking lot paved.