Georgina shops for site and potential partnerships for MURC facility

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 2, 2017
By Heidi Riedner

The town is narrowing down its site options for the Multi-Use Recreational Complex (MURC), but it may need to cast a wider net for potential partnerships, says a project update to council July 19.

Staff are evaluating sites along the Woodbine corridor in the south end of Keswick for appropriate locations to accommodate the rec facility, sports fields, library and fire hall and are expected to report back within the next two months after further discussions with developers.

As for land acquisition costs, "there will be no cost to the municipality to purchase the land, other than for the fire hall," Mayor Margaret Quirk said, since most of the eight-hectare parcel required will be covered by parkland dedication requirements owed to the town as part of developer contributions under the Planning Act. Parkland dedication cannot be used for the fire hall, which will have a separate entrance and parking.

Costs for an environmental assessment, topographic survey and geotechnical analysis are expected to be covered within the $2 million design budget.

The first go-around at facility partnership opportunities was a bit of a "disappointment", however, to regional Coun. Naomi Davison, who suggested marketing efforts may have to cast a wider net to facilitate a better response than the eight submissions garnered out of the 21 packages picked up from the town's first intake process.

"There must be more out there than that," she said, adding the town may want to have a second intake round of Expressions of Interest (EOI) that includes proactively targeting major corporations across the wider GTA.

The first round involved advertising the opportunity in local media and on the town's bids and tenders page, as well as contacting various groups such as local sports, medical, health and wellness organizations, school boards, private food and beverage businesses, Southlake Regional Health Centre, the region's community and health services department and surrounding economic development offices.

"This is a big thing we are doing, so I am trying to figure out if we do another EOI, if we can send press releases out to the wider GTA to reach the Tim Hortons of the world," Davison said.