Georgina committed to resource centre at Sutton school site

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 21, 2014
Heidi Riedner

Investing in The Link as a community resource centre in the former Sutton Public School is still on the town’s agenda, despite the fact almost $1M in federal funding isn’t being cashed at the moment.

The town secured $990,000 under the federal government’s community infrastructure improvement fund to bolster the $3 million renovation project that will transform the former institution into a central home base for a number of social service and youth and seniors-oriented agencies.

The town’s commitment is $2,010,000.

FedDev Ontario, which administers the federal program, however, has yet to contribute the bulk of its share of the funds.

At issue is the original March 31 funding deadline.

“Since the granting of the funding, the town has been very transparent with FedDev Ontario that the funding deadline and the town’s estimated completion date were not on the same path, however, at this time, FedDev Ontario has not processed recent claims submitted by the town for reimbursement,” CAO Winanne Grant said yesterday.

“As a result, the town is in discussions with FedDev Ontario regarding the existing funding and alternate funding opportunities.”

The town notified FedDev in November and February of a revised September completion date for the project.

Describing The Link as a very unique project and a model of evolution, The Link’s steering committee chairperson John DeFaveri said the project deserves a commitment of time and attention that a more basic construction project would not require.

“It had been difficult to marry the strict parameters of the funding with the customized detail required of the project,” he added.

In addition, roof replacement pegged at $500,000 was a large portion of the project — the completion of which was anticipated for March 31.

Since an assessment of the roof was required to be included in the tender package and a site visit by potential contractors was required as part of the process, issuing the tender and awarding the tender were both delayed due to abnormal winter conditions, according to the town.

That resulted in the contract being awarded much later than originally expected. But even if the contract had been awarded earlier, the roof could not be accessed until April due to snow and ice accumulation.

While its $66,000 share of $200,000 in claims has been processed by FedDev to date, which honours the terms of the one-third/two-thirds funding agreement, other claims remain outstanding at this point.

Although FedDev is not processing claims, the town and its community partners continue to develop the vacant building into a community resource with the most recent steering committee meeting being held Tuesday.

Part of that process includes acquiring additional financial support connected to The Link’s core tenants.

To date, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Region of York and South Lake Community Futures Development Corporation have stepped up to the funding plate.

Trillium contributed $150,000 in capital funding to equip the kitchen with appliances and outfit hoteling space.

The GTTI and Georgina Community Food Pantry were awarded $71,000 from the region to develop food/nutrition programming and community gardens at The Link.

And South Lake Futures handed over $15,500 to partially fund a project co-ordinator to assist in developing a business plan, consult with local and regional stakeholders and to take care of key governance and management documents.

In terms of construction, the town is working with its contractor regarding phasing of the project and work schedule.