Richmond Hill's capital budget for 2017 focuses on infrastructure, Lake Wilcox youth park and civic centre

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 29, 2016
Kim Zarzour

Repair and replacement of municipal infrastructure is the focus of Richmond Hill’s 2017 capital budget approved by council Nov. 28.

Councillors agreed to $61.8 million in funding for key infrastructure updates including roads, sidewalks, streetlights and watermains to maintain or improve services and quality of life.

The town will also undertake projects like replacing heat pumps and mechanical systems at town facilities, said Mayor Dave Barrow.

“This work helps us ensure the safety and comfort of the community.”

Construction of Lake Wilcox Youth Area Park is one of the more visible projects in next year’s budget, at a cost of $4.9 million. Located south of the Oak Ridges Community Center on Bayview Avenue, the youth facility is expected to include a lit skate park, lit beach volleyball, lit basketball/multi-use courts and youth-centric spaces.

One of the bigger ticket items on the budget calls for $11.4 million to pay for replacement of town information technology systems for planning and regulatory management, customer relationship management and integrated financials.

An additional $6.5 million is earmarked for the pre-design of the town’s civic precinct, located at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive. The project, expected to cost almost $200 million, includes a public square, a reflecting pool/skating rink, amphitheatre, pedestrian promenade and pedestrian plazas.

Also on the books, $2.4 million is set aside for watermain replacement on Castle Rock Drive and $1.1 million for library collection development.

One of the more controversial items is conversion of the bocce courts at Rouge Woods Community Centre, part of updates to the facility that will eventually include a multi-purpose room.

Richmond Hill’s annual budget is comprised of two components, the capital budget and the operating budget.

The capital budget consists of expenses for assets or infrastructure that are typically long-term in nature such as land, buildings, roads, pipes and other equipment and is funded through the town’s reserve funds, development charges and grants.

The operating budget consists of expenses that cover day-to-day activities or operations, including utilities, rent, insurance, staff wages and benefits, program supplies, transportation and repairs and is funded with via taxes, fees and other sources such as program registrations.

The capital budget is approved before the operating budget.

“We manage our finances wisely and prudently and we are committed to get the best from all of our funding sources,” said Local and Regional Councillor and Budget Chair Brenda Hogg, who added the town manages finances wisely “and we are committed to get the best from all of our funding sources.

“We have asked staff to continue to be vigilant about evaluating capital projects to ensure our reserve funds last well into the future.”

Along with the capital budget, Richmond Hill maintains a 10-year capital forecast that allows staff to plan for and prioritize all upcoming capital projects.

Council and staff will now turn to the 2017 operating budget. A public information session will be held at the Central Library on Saturday, Jan. 21. The operating budget will be debated by council in January and February.

For more information visit RichmondHill.ca/Budget.