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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-05-28, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2009. Covering all bases, Morris- Turnberry council decided to apply for a grant to repair the Bluevale Hall, in case an application for a larger grant to replace the building isn’t approved. Nancy Michie, administrator clerk-treasurer, told council that the application for a grant under the stimulus fund had been sent in. This grant would support the construction of a new building. But she suggested making application for a Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Program grant for a required exit from the second floor of the hall, at a cost of about $35,000. Council agreed. Deadline for application is May 29. *** Councillors agreed with Mike Thomas, director of public works that due to higher than expected costs for completing work on Brandon Road, Glenannon Road and Salem Road, reconstruction work on Clyde Line should become a secondary priority for 2009. Invest Ontario Fund grants will be transferred to the Brandon Road projects from Clyde Line. Originally $289,000 had been budgeted for Clyde Line work in 2009 but it’s expected about $155,000 will be available for work this year. Council agreed to go as far as possible with the remaining money. *** Thomas told council he had been exploring ways to solve a drainage problem on the property of Clayton Baird along Glenannan Road. Because of the lack of ditches along this part of the road, water had been running onto the Baird property. Thomas said he was looking into connecting to a drain to give road water a proper outlet. *** Council approved of the group benefit plan for employees, despite a substantial increase in costs for the coming year. *** The municipality received a $3325 grant to hire students to assist with the municipal history book project. Kinsmen apply for grant Morris-Turnberry council briefs Council covers all bases in seeking funds for Hall Laying pavement A group of public school students have banded together, fundraising for a concrete recreation pad where they can safely play hockey, basketball and a number of other sports and activities. The group has been fundraising for weeks and has raised over $3,000 already to go toward the projected $13,000 cost. They were selling raffle tickets and taking donations last weekend in Bluevale at the mom to mom sale at the community hall. Back row, from left: Nate Plunkett, Cory Grice. Middle: Ashley Fisher, Steve Walker, Kyle Machan and Lauren Mulholland. Front: Justin Fisher and Bailey Poels. The group has set up its own Facebook page and e-mail account at tourrecpad@hurontel.on.ca (Shawn Loughlin photo) Impressed with a presentation about building a new recreation pad in Bluevale, Morris-Turnberry councillors have decided to offer a loan of $10,000 to help with construction. Roxanne Nicholson, a member of the Bluevale Recreation Committee, attended the May 19 meeting of council to outline plans for the new facility which will be very similar to one in Belgrave. The fenced-in cement pad will allow room for the village children to play basketball or road hockey, roller blade or undertake other activities. Nicholson said that while working at Turnberry Central School, she had been approached by children about the need for the facility. The young people, most aged 12 and 13, have already undertaken several fundraising activities and raised about $3,000. She said that she wanted the young people to raise the money for the project because if they did, they’d work to make sure people looked after it. Many in the village have expressed concern about the danger of children playing on the bridge, she said. There is also a feeling that with the recession causing people to lose jobs, there will be an even greater need for low-cost activities. The cost of the 40-by-80-foot cement pad and fencing is estimated at $12,000 to $13,000, Nicholson told council. Costs have been reduced because of the donation of equipment and the site preparation and donation of labour for paying the cement. She said Bluevale Recreation Committee would be responsible for the project and she would act as general contractor. The preferred site is located on land owned by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, which is still looking at liability issues before allowing the land to be used. The other alternative is the municipal parking lot but the disadvantage of this site is the lack of visibility of children when they’re playing. It was councillor Bill Thompson who raised the issue of loaning the money and having the community pay it back as money is raised. “I’d like to see it get done and see it done right,” Thompson said. Council agreed, voting to provide a loan of up to $10,000 to be repaid over five years. For the Belgrave Kinsmen, arecent funding announcement from the federal and provincial governments couldn’t have come at a better time. The organization is planning upgrades and improvements to the Belgrave Community Centre, principally to the arena floor and the back wall. However, as the management of the centre is in the hands of an arena board rather than the Twp. of North Huron, council at its May 18 meeting agreed not to provide funding to the organization, but rather would support them in theirapplication for a RecreationalInfrastructure Canada Program inOntario (RINC Ontario) grant. RINC Ontario, announced May 11, offers financial support to communities for the upgrading of existing recreational facilities over the next two years. The federal government, through its Economic Action Plan, provided $500 million to the program and the allocation for Ontario this construction season is $68 million. Information from the government said that projects submitted before 5 p.m., May 29 would be reviewed immediately and approval, based on merit and construction readiness, will be announced in June. Any thatarrive after May 29 will be approvedon an on-going basis. The program is meant to ensurethat recreational venues will continue to be part of their communities for decades, but will also help to stimulate the economy. Construction must be complete before March 31, 2011 and be incremental, something that would not have been constructed by then without the RINC funding. The grant, said clerk-administrator Kriss Snell, is a one-third grant, meaning that equal portions are paid by the province, Canada and, in the case of Belgrave, if successful in achieving the grant, the Kinsmen. M-T loans $10,000 for recreation pad Come and join the celebration of John and Gwen Lavis’ 65th Wedding Anniversary Open House 2-4 pm Sunday, May 31st at the Clinton United Church 105 Ontario Street, Clinton, OntarioMarried June 2, 1944 We look forward to seeing you there! MONDAY, OCTOBER 19/09 – 7PM CENTENNIAL HALL - LONDON Tickets at The Centennial Hall Box Office. Call 519-672-1967 www.centennialhall.london.ca By Keith Roulston The Citizen By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen Photos and history of Brussels Public and Continuation Schools at http://www.oldbrusselsschool.ca