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'Prosperity we cannot afford': Stouffville mayor tells packed council meeting

Councillors OK downsized library/leisure centre expansion

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 3, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

Pleas from residents to take a step back and get more public input on the library/leisure centre expansion went unheeded Tuesday night, as Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville councillors opted to instead unanimously vote in favour of the expansion.

The council chambers were filled to capacity, with residents in the town hall lobby on Sandiford Drive awaiting the decision.

The discussion lasted 75 minutes and included eight members from the gallery, who each had five minutes to make their case. Most had issues with the new plan. Two councillors and the mayor also spoke before the vote.

A number of seniors spoke in favour of the original, larger, more expensive expansion, while advocating for an inclusive building.

The 2014 plan, created by the previous edition of council, included a seniors’ centre, second pool and two-storey library.

“Build what the community actually wants and needs,” implored resident Carol Morin, who is a volunteer seniors’ programmer and former librarian.

She added, what is most important for seniors is socialization. “You want them involved in the community.”

The revised plan has the 55 Plus seniors club moving into 6240 Main St., once the community centre is vacated by the Latcham Gallery, which is moving to the leisure centre in Memorial Park. They are currently in Latcham Hall.

Senior and former councillor Wilf Morley also advocated for a seniors’ centre in the expansion.

“If we are to enjoy any intergenerational activities and I remind you that council adopted a seven-generation town, the citizens 55 years and older must be included. To relocate this group of citizens at 6240 Main St. will deprive them of this interactive experience,” he said Tuesday night.

Morley also noted that while he was on council “some of the decisions made then did not address the future interests of the town. Rather than a frugal stance, council of the day needed to take some risk.”

“Our research and community consultation suggests that the current plan for the library/leisure/seniors’ centre is not the wisest plan for the long-term economic and social health of the community,” Brian Puppa, director of programs for the Ballantrae-area Legacy Project, told councillors.

Puppa also said he was concerned about the way the building was being constructed, stating no future additions are possible.

The approved plan includes a 16,000-square-foot expansion to the library; 5,500 square feet of new fitness space; 4,500 square feet of multipurpose room and 2,500 square feet of new child minding/preschool program room.

The multipurpose space was increased by 2,000 square feet in order to create gym-style space, thus enabling maximum usage and revenue, according to the staff report.

This plan is expected to cost $12,825,000.

“It’s a very strong proposal. It doesn’t meet everybody’s needs ... we can get very close,” said Ward 6 Councillor Rob Hargrave.

One person spoke Tuesday night in favour of the new plan, at least the expanded gymnasium.

Brian Morris, who represented 150 pickleball players from in and around Whitchurch-Stouffville, said they were initially discouraged by the original plan, but are now encouraged by this one.

The 2014 plan had an estimated price tag of $28 million.

If council were to have gone ahead with that plan, it would have resulted in a 5.5-per cent tax hike, according to Liz Araujo, town treasurer.

The cost also exceeded the town’s newly imposed debt management policy, according to the staff report.

“I will not force out residents by prosperity we cannot afford,” said Mayor Justin Altmann.

Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith wanted to move ahead with this latest proposal because “I believe the library has waited long enough.”

“This is really a no-brainer,” he said, noting the enlarged gym will create a “significant increase in the revenues generated.”

The final plan and costing will be presented to council Dec. 15 for approval. That meeting begins at 7 p.m.