New facilities make Oak Ridges town’s jewel
Gas tax funds announced for next Richmond Hill projects

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 19, 2014
Kim Zarzour

Oak Ridges residents can be proud this week, with two key events shining a spotlight on what is fast becoming a jewel of Richmond Hill.

Today, Minister of State for Finance Kevin Sorenson toured the new Oak Ridges Community Centre as he announced an additional $5.4 million for the town from the federal gas tax fund – a fund that helped place the community centre at the forefront of environmental sustainability.

Just a few days prior, the adjoining Lake Wilcox Park had its official opening ceremony, unveiling a new lakefront promenade, trails and art installations.

It has been massive makeover for a community that decades ago was a humble cottage destination for Toronto residents.

In announcing the new 2014 gas tax funding – money that will be directed towards infrastructure in the town’s 2015 capital budget – Sorenson praised the Oak Ridges community centre for it design integration with the natural environment.

“Seeing this, I can only imagine what amazing projects will result from the 2014 gas tax,” he said.

Sorenson, along with Richmond Hill MP Costas Menagakis, Mayor Dave Barrow and Ward 6 Councillor Godwin Chan, toured the facility that opened in 2012.

With $2.4 million in gas tax funds, the centre was constructed using local wood and stone, a green roof, rainwater harvesting for irrigation and washroom urinals and Eco Centre displaying natural and historic artifacts from the area.

The 60,658-square-foot centre was created with community input and is designed to reflect the surrounding features of nature, including the shores of Lake Wilcox. The Bayview Avenue facility is Richmond Hill’s first town-owned LEED-certified building.

“It really is state-of-the-art,” said Mengakis, who said his own home is “just a stone’s-throw away. This building is not the usual box. They’ve done a great job.”

With a six-lane pool and lobby with a fireplace overlooking the lake, “it’s a great place to wait for your kids,” said Daniel Olding, the town’s manager of grants and strategic initiatives. “What parent wouldn’t want to come here?”

Educational signs explain what makes the building sustainable, and Olding said the message is relayed to the younger generation.

“I remember hearing some kids talking in the washroom, explaining how the settings on the toilets work to conserve water. They are exposed to this and are learning what taking care of the environment looks like.”

The 2014 gas tax fund will be directed towards similar projects throughout the municipality, he said, including nature trails, environmental and energy improvements and stormwater management.

At more than $5 million, it represents about 20 per cent of the town’s $24 million capital budget, Barrow said.

As the politicians toured the centre and visited with summer campers, residents outside explored the trails and newly opened boardwalk on the lake’s shore.

Lake Wilcox Park, formerly Sunset Beach, celebrated phase 1 of its reconstruction project Saturday.

Residents braved looming rain clouds to participate in a barbecue lunch, nature touch table, electro fish survey, kayak and canoe demonstrations and a performance by the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto.

Phase 2 of the redevelopment will see the construction of a children’s splash pad, washroom facility and new parking lot, in June 2015. A youth area and redevelopment of the canoe club are in future plans.

Lake Wilcox is the largest kettle lake on the Oak Ridges Moraine and supports diverse and sensitive biological communities, while also providing users with recreational activities.

The Oak Ridges/Lake Wilcox projects were many years in the making, starting with the town’s purchase of 29.5 acres (11.9 hectares) of prime real estate from developers in 2003.

GOOD TO KNOW
The federal gas tax fund transfer has provided $13 billion to Canadian communities since it began in 2005 – more than $30 million to the Town of Richmond Hill.
Funding is provided up front, twice a year for investment in drinking water; wastewater; solid waste; public transit; local roads and bridges; community energy systems; capacity building; disaster mitigation; broadband connectivity; highways; short-line rail; short-sea shipping; brownfield redevelopment; regional and local airports; and projects supporting culture, tourism, sport and recreation.

SIDEBAR

LAKE WILCOX MAKEOVER TIMELINE
Land Acquisition:
June, 2003: the town acquired land on the east end of Lake Wilcox with plans to allow about 3.5 acres/1.4 hectares of land currently used as roads to be closed and incorporated into an expanded public amenity system.
Lake Wilcox Park Master Plan:
November, 2005: public open house unveiled the area master plan proposal, following a comprehensive and interactive process. The plan emphasized naturalized approach and public access along the shoreline.
February 2006: council approved the master plan for a phased approach for the design and construction of a new Oak Ridges Community Centre and Lake Wilcox Park (formerly known as Sunset Beach Park).
Waterfront Conceptual Design Refinement:
January, 2008: community workshop allowed residents an opportunity to learn about the park project and the plans to remove the public beach and restore the eastern shoreline of Lake Wilcox.  Approximately 170 people attended and had the opportunity to contribute their ideas towards the shoreline restoration and waterfront design through round-table discussions. Based on public feedback, a recommended conceptual design proposed a continuous walkway connection along the waterfront with a separate boardwalk.

Beach Removal Project:
2008: the town, in partnership with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, removed the artificial beach and restored the shoreline back to its original natural state.

OAK RIDGES COMMUNITY CENTRE TIMELINE:
2010 to 2012: the LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) community centre was constructed and officially opened to the public on June 23, 2012.
Waterfront Project:
November, 2012: public open house presented the recommended design and received public comments. Construction started April 2013 – and was completed August 2014.
Upper Lake Wilcox (Formerly Sunset Beach) Park Project:
Fall 2013: public open house was held to present the upper park design which was well received by the public and council approved funding for construction as part of the 2014 budget to begin August 2014 with a fall 2015 completion.
Youth Area:
2017: expected construction start date after approval by council of the 2015 budget
Canoe Club & Jessie Vanek Redevelopment:
2018: expected construction start date after council approval of the 2017 budget construction will begin 2018.