Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2018-08-02, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 2018. New BMGCC design progressing says Blake By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Local designer Chris Blake and members of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Renovation Committee are now well on their way to taking the next steps towards improving and expanding the local centre. Blake and a handful of committee members spent Friday touring several local arenas to help get the creative juices flowing. Whether it was to find ideas or concepts to stay away from, the tour process is already well underway. The committee first met in late June and suggested bringing Blake on for his expertise, not only in the world of design, but as someone local who has been using the centre for decades. He recently sat down with the members of the committee to discuss what they were hoping to accomplish and how he could help. Blake said that he and the committee met at his Brussels -area office where together they looked over the original plans, which had been prepared by GB Architect in Stratford, and discussed what they hoped to change and improve from those years -old plans. At its first meeting, the committee made quick progress on plans to renovate and expand the centre, which included six additional dressing rooms, in addition to retaining the four current dressing rooms. Years ago, the centre's dressing rooms were identified as an area of concern and other plans have grown from there. The plans proposed by the committee members would expand the centre on both the south and east sides, creating a new entrance to the southeast corner that would completely reconfigure the centre. The entrance would now come in diagonally from the southeast corner to a large lobby and players could walk to the left to access the new dressing rooms, while parents and fans could travel to the right towards the rest of the facility. Members emphasized the importance of having one main entrance to funnel everyone through. However, alleviating traffic and congestion in the lobby so both players and parents can get where they need to go is also crucial to the success of the new site. The new configuration would also make use of the parking lot to the south side of the facility, which has been underutilized in recent years. There has also been discussion about the creation of a new warm, enclosed viewing area on the west side of the centre. For his part in working with the committee, Blake said that those at GB Architect have been very co- operative and accommodating in supplying the committee with the original plans and consenting to let them be used going forward, pending approval of all changes, which Blake says is reasonable. Blake's work in the process, he said, began with GB sending its CAD (computer-assisted design) file over to him. From there, he was able to work with the existing plans and, with GB's approvals, ensure that everything that's being suggested is something that can physically be done at the centre. As someone who has been using the centre since he was a child, Blake said he is excited and encouraged by the changes being proposed by the committee. As a user of the arena, he said it was no secret that its dressing rooms were on the small side. However, as someone who has played hockey for a number of years, Blake hasn't really made a point to look at arenas he's visited from his designer's point of view. When you're in a dressing room, Blake said, you really know whether it's too small, sufficient or big. The tours have allowed him to get into other area dressing rooms and measure their dimensions, giving him a concrete idea of what will work in Brussels and what won't. The committee has endeavoured to visit a number of arenas in the area, both brand new ones and The DeWit is open! Jackie DeWit, centre, cut the ribbon on her newest project on Sunday, The DeWit suites in Brussels, which are above her new business, JD & Company. DeWit and her family, along with the help of Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan, cut the ribbon on the new rooms on Sunday and welcomed members of the public in to take a tour. Jackie and her husband Kris, left, are seen here helping their children Cooper and Ryker cut the ribbon as MacLellan holds it steady for them. (Quinn Talbot photo) Belgrave meeting set for Sept. 4 Continued from page 7 issue with Councillor John Smuck and the contractor, who both had given him the impression that the proposed development was "a done deal". Lipinski pointed out that councillors don't live in the community, meaning they don't appreciate the utilization of the space. The group also said they feel that their efforts to impress the importance of the green space on council is being ignored. If council was asking for input, landowners say it would be more acceptable, but they say it feels like council had made this decision long before the issue was brought to the landowners' attention. "We put 120 signatures on a petition, and handed it to them and we might as well not have done it," Gord said. "They're not listening." Nancy added that, at the meeting, the group was called "selfish" for putting their desire to keep the green space over the growth of the municipality, which many of the landowners felt wasn't warranted. The group's members did stress they are in favour of development, but don't feel this is the proper place to do it, especially with a proposed development they feel would negatively affect the character and aesthetic of the village. The next meeting regarding the issue is proposed for Sept. 4. It has been postponed for a third time. It will be open to the public and all property owners within 400 feet of the proposed development will be notified, Michie said. arenas that have been restored. Blake said that he and the committee plan on working on a design in the coming weeks before bringing something to the local user groups and members of the public. That way, when the committee brings everyone in for their input, they will have concrete plans at which to look. However, Blake and the committee won't be so far down the road that changes won't be welcome. There will still be plenty of room for suggestions and changes, he said. With GB wanting to review the progress being made, taking as few steps as possible along the way, Blake said, makes the most sense. If the design goes back and forth and has to be reviewed by the architect countless times, the process could really be drawn out. Meanwhile, on the fundraising side of the project, that committee has already met and has some ideas as to how it plans to proceed, with plans to meet again next month. NOTICE NORTH Surplus of Property HURON Notice is hereby given that the Corporation of the Township of North Huron has declared the following property to be surplus to its needs and will accept any and all offers of purchase of the subject property. 1. 40193 BLYTH ROAD, BLYTH, HULLETT CON 14 PT LOT 22 RP; 22R4936 PART 1 RP 22R5745; PART 1 Notice is hereby given that the Corporation of the Township of North Huron has declared the following properties to be surplus to its needs and will receive any and all offers of purchase of the subject properties. 1. 39498 BELGRAVE ROAD, BELGRAVE, CON 9 PT S PT LOT 37 AS RP 22R116 PART 1 PART2 2. 423 MILL STREET, BLYTH, PLAN 168 PT LOT 74 PT LOT 75 AS RP 22R1884 PART 2 3. 435 MILL STREET, BLYTH, PLAN 168 PT LOTS 74 TO 77 AS RP 22R1884 PART 3 & AS RP 22R2985 PART 1 The Township of North Huron will receive and consider offers for the subject properties until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 22, 2018. Please contact the Municipal Office for more information. Dwayne Evans, CAO/Clerk Township of North Huron (519) 357-3550 Dated at the Township of North Huron this 1st day of August 2018. 1 Are you tired of getting a second-hand newspaper? Be first in line and get your own subscription! One year subscription to The Citizen only $3800 Enclosed is $38.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0