New Richmond Hill recreation facilities, Terry Fox tribute approved
Richmond Hill council briefs

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 7, 2015

At a July council meeting before the summer recess, Richmond Hill politicians approved two new recreation facilities and confirmed plans for Terry Fox Day in September, when a statue to the Canadian hero will be unveiled.

Council approved a third arena ice pad, plus an indoor soccer facility to be built at Richmond Green Sports Centre on Elgin Mills Road East.

A feasibility study showed demand for recreational sports facilities continues to increase, especially for hockey, skating and soccer.

The study considered existing amenities at Richmond Green, which currently is home to three outdoor soccer fields, an indoor sports space, and nearby Tom Graham Arena with two ice pads and three more outdoor soccer fields.

The funding for the design and construction of the new facilities — estimated to be $68.5 million — will be added to Richmond Hill’s 10-year capital budget plan.

The additional indoor soccer facility and arena ice pad are expected to be complete by 2020.

TERRY FOX STATUE

The small Ransom Park on Yonge Street is currently under renovation, in preparation for a statue to courageous marathon cancer runner Terry Fox, who ran through Richmond Hill on his original cross-Canada fundraiser Marathon of Hope in 1980.

Council proclaimed the second Sunday after Labour Day as Terry Fox Day, also the traditional date of the annual Terry Fox Run.

(An Oak Ridges run will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 and the Mill Pond Terry Fox run will be held Sunday, Sept. 20.)

The town will honour Terry Fox and the 35th anniversary of his Marathon of Hope with the unveiling of the Terry Fox Tribute.

Internationally acclaimed artist Radoslaw Kudlinski is creating the tribute, in collaboration with Anna Passakas. Together they form the multidisciplinary art collective Blue Republic, and their work has been seen at Pearson International Airport, World Youth Day 2002 and in international sculpture competition.

The unveiling will be held in Ransom Park during a community celebration on Yonge Street from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 12.