Ajax capital budget: Here are some big projects planned for 2022

Thestar.com
Dec. 15, 2021

The Town of Ajax is looking at a capital budget of $29.4 million for 2022.

“Our capital investment program is critical as we need to maintain and upgrade our aging infrastructure and keep up with the pace of growth,” said budget chair and Ward 3 Coun. Lisa Bower at the capital budget meeting in late November.

She noted “The majority of the 2022 capital budget is dedicated to improving our road network and safety."

Council approved the capital budget at the December council meeting.

At the budget meeting, resident and yearly budget participant resident Chris Baker had some questions about renting vehicles rather than making the costly purchases.

Director of operations Dave Meredeth said, “It’s something that we really do look at … throughout the year with every service that we deliver and try to strike that balance.”

Baker said he found both staff and council had “a fabulous dialogue back and forth” regarding the budget.

The operating budget will be presented on Monday, Feb. 14.

Director of finance and treasurer Dianne Valentim said, “The town has been experiencing unanticipated cost escalations due to COVID-19.”

The current capital budget was not built on this, but based on previous tender amounts and an average inflationary increase, she said. If project costs are dramatically different, staff will have to shift, cancel or defer projects to stay within the capital budget.

Council did work to cut out some of the fat.

Council passed a motion to defer various projects to future years, including the consultation fees for an arts and culture plan to 2023.

“I don’t want to eliminate it,” said Ward 2 Reg. Coun. Sterling Lee.

But “with the realities we’re facing,” he said he felt money would be better spent on direct art pieces, rather than on consultation about an overall plan.

Staff also presented a 10-year forecast, with plans for improvements to roads, parks, facilities and more until 2031.

HIGHLIGHTS

The following projects are budgeted for 2022, unless otherwise indicated:

• The Ajax Cricket Club will get a major revamp, thanks to grant funding as well as the Canada Community-Building Fund, which will cover the cost of $2,981,800. Staff are proposing a number of repairs and upgrades to the cricket field infrastructure, including replacement of the existing batting cages and the existing cricket pitch, fencing, seating and site furniture and parking lot and landscaping improvements. There will also be upgrades to the cricket clubhouse building, including replacement of the existing roof and washrooms and change facility upgrades.

• The McLean Community Centre will receive pool filtration and pump system replacement costing $1 million and lighting upgrades costing $275,000.

• Rossland Road widening from Westney Road to Salem Road will cost $770,900 in 2022, $577,800 in 2023 and $10,216,200 from 2025 to 2031, for a total of $11,564,900. Funds are earmarked every year for the Rossland Road widening from Salem to Lake Ridge Road for a total of $15,986,300.

• Funds for Harwood Road widening from Taunton Road to Woodcock Avenue are planned to take place from 2022 to 2024 for a total of $5,962,000

• Range Line reconstruction from Pickering Beach Road to Cherry Road will cost $1,716,000.

• The construction of a destination park in Mulberry Meadows will cost $1,656,800.

• Construction of a playground within the existing St. Andrew's Park adjacent to the St. Andrew's Community Centre will cost $340,000. Park amenities will include junior and senior playground equipment, site furniture, fitness stations, and landscaping.

• Outdoor improvements at St. Andrew’s Park will cost another $535,000. This will include construction of a new pickleball court; connecting the two independent parking areas, tree planting and age-appropriate accessible site furniture.