Huron Expositor, 2006-02-22, Page 10sitor • February 22, 2006 Page 10
Tuckersmith councillor wants money set aside
to begin saving for new Vanastra rec facility
Show Vanastra the money.
That's what Tuckersmith Coun.
Bill DeJong wants Huron East
council to do, instead of just talking
about the need for a new recreation
facility during the next 10 years.
"After 10 years, whether you put
up a new building or revampit,
you're going to spend a good chunk
of money. Are we prepared to put
money in the reserves and if you
don't, you're wasting your time,
And, I'm not talking pennies here,"
said DeJong at council's Feb. 14
meeting.
"We might as well get started now.
It's not going to get any easier to
put money in the budget next year,"
added Seaforth Coun. Joe Steffler.
But, Mayor Joe Seili, while agree-
ing that planning needs to be done
to replace the aging 40 -year-old
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR REGULATORY RELIEF
FOR SEAFORTH WATER WORKS
Purpose of Notice
The Municipality of Huron East has asked the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to
defer a requirement to provide additional treatment at the Welsh Street Well, which
supplies Seaforth and Egmondville, until new wells can be constructed to replace the
existing sources.
The MOE has asked that the Municipality obtain public comment on the request to defer
additional treatment.
Background
The Seaforth Water Supply System is currently comprised of two groundwater sources
and a distribution system. The Welsh Street Well is the primary source of water for the
community, and is drilled to a depth of 86 metres below grade. The Chalk Street Well is
constructed to a depth of 63 metres below grade. The Chalk St. Well was removed from
service in October 2002 because of high radionuclide levels and it is only used in
emergency situations.
A study in 2002 established that the Welsh Street Well obtains some of its water from at
or near the ground surface. Technically these sources are defined as surface water and
not groundwater. As surface water, Provincial Regulations would require that they have
additional treatment including advanced disinfection facilities and, in some cases,
filtration.
The Municipality is currently in the process of completing a Class Environmental
Assessment regarding Tong -term water supply and two newly drilled wells.
Current Situation
Recognizing that the Welsh Street Wells does not have the type of treatment facilities
required by the Province, the Municipality has undertaken a study to determine if the
present facilities are adequate until new water sources are put into service. The results
of the evaluation are presented in a report entitled "Documentation to Support an
Application for Regulatory Relief Under Section 38 of the Safe Drinking Water Act."
The study reviewed historical information on raw water quality and treatment system
performance, the probability of the source water quality changing, existing treatment and
monitoring systems and the frequency of operation of the source.
The study concluded that, although the Welsh Street Well has some risk associated with
its operation, this minimal risk has existed since the well's original development. The well
has historically provided good quality water, and has met the Province's drinking water
test standards. The current treatment systems and monitoring, along with the continued
exclusion of the Chalk Street Well, will effectively mitigate any risks sufficient to delay
upgrading the system until a replacement supply is available.
The study report is available for public review at the municipal offices at the address
below during normal business hours. If you have questions or wish to make a comment,
please contact the undersigned at 519-527-0160.
Jack McLachlan, Administrator
Municipality of Huron East
72 Main Street S.
Box 610
Seaforth, ON NOK 1 WO
Vanastra Rec Centre, questioned
where the money is going to come
from in this year's budget.
"If we put $25,000 away for
Vanastra, where are we going to
take it from? I really think we have
to hold the line this year," he said.
Huron East council held a public
meeting in Vanastra a month ago to
suggest the idea of working towards
a 10 -year plan to replace its rec cen-
tre.
And, while council never passed a
motion committing itself to replac-
ing the facility, Grey Coun. Mark
Beaven complained that the com-
munity had arrived at the conclu-
sion the idea was a done deal.
"We got off track with the percep-
tion of the message given," he said,
adding it's too soon to commit to the
project until more information is
gathered by council about whether a
new facility will be built or the
existing one will be renovated.
"The building study is a good
place to start," he said.
Deputy -Mayor Bernie MacLellan
told council he wanted to be able to
tell the public whether or not coun-
cil is moving ahead with the project.
"In my heart, I believe it's' some-
thing we can and should do," he
said.
Seili agreed that Vanastra
deserves a recreation facility as
much as anywhere else in Huron
East.
"Talking about it was a very good
thing. Now we know that they want
a pool, not an ice rink and they need
a bigger fitness room. Let's hope it
lasts 10 years and we have some-
thing in place for when the pool
falls apart in 10 years," he said.
Seili pointed out that Seaforth's
and Brussels' arenas are both about
25 years old and asked council if
they want to replace all three facili-
ties at the same time. He suggested
telling Vanastra council is ,"here for
50 cents on the dollar."
But, DeJong bristled at the idea
that Vanastra would be able to raise
half the costs of a new facility.
"If you think a small community
like Vanastra is going to come up
with -$1 million in fundraising,
that's impossible. Where's the other
50 cents going to come a from? Give
me a break," he said.
Seili pointed out that the rest of
Tuckersmith would be helping out.
Tuckersmith Coun.. Larry
McGrath said that while no definite
commitment has been made by
council to replace the Vanastra rec
centre, council will do it if it needs
to be done.
"If the building in Vanastra is con-
demned, something will have to be
done. Come the day to put it up,
we'll put it up, not just here but any
of our facilities," he said.
MacLellan said he's hoping to
hear more from the community in
Vanastra about what they want.
"Council is eager to get some
information back from the commu-
nity so we can get going," he said.
By Susan. Hundertmark
30 Victoria Street North
Goderich, Ontario N7A 2R6
(519) 524-6938 / 1-800-465-1726
steckp0@parl.gc.ca
www.psteckle.com