HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-10-29, Page 1Goderich
138 YEAR - 44
GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29. 1986
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Public meeting proves major step toward
establishinGoderich' master recreation plan
One of the major steps towards
establishing a master recreation plan for
the town of Goderich unfolded 'Wednesday
evening in the,form of a public meeting to
discuss the need for a multi-purpose com-
munity centre in Goderich.
The master recreation plan, being
prepared by John Stevenson and
Associates, will be compiled after several
meetings with special groups, surveys, ex-
tensive interviews and public meetings.
Over the summer, 201 households were
surveyed by the consultants concerning
the state of existing recreational activities
and facilities and future priorities for the
town and its citizenry.
Last Wednesday, more than 150 people
attended the special meeting at Victoria
Public School to voice their opinions on the
need for a mulit-purpose community cen-
tre in Goderich.
The recreation master plan committee
consists of chairman Ron Bushell and
members Bob Dempsey, Jane Netzke, Pat
Hamilton, Ruth Erb, Butch Desjardine, ,
Don Neal, Elsa Haydon and John Doherty.
Dempsey told the meeting the committee
hopes to develop 'a terms of reference for
the plan and also "develop an inventory of
facilities and programs."
John Stevenson told the group his com-
pany has developed many recreation
master plans for communities in the pro-
vince and reiterated the fact that the
public meeting was designed to; review
the survey results, discuss the need for a
community -centre facility and field opi-
nions from interested citizens.
"We're preparing a master plan and
feasibility study for the town's recrea-
tional needs and we're only in the factfin-
ding stage," John Stevenson explained. "A"
public meeting will be held December 11 to
discuss the information."
A survey of 201 households in Goderich.
highlighted the most popular recreational
activities and focused on problems, issues,
desired activities and the location and
make-up of a community centre.
The survey revealed that the most
popular recreational activities, in order,
are, walking, swimming, cycling,
baseball -softball, and visiting the library..
Sixty-nine per cent.. $f the respondents
were satisfied with the recreational activi-
ty offered and 27 per cent were very
satisfied.
On the problem side of the issue, 12 per
cent of the respondents cited the lack of
proper facilities as the major recreational
problem.
However, almost 50 per cent of the
respondents to the survey, suggested that
swimming was the most desired 'activity.
Dances, squash, theatre and teen ac-
tivities also rated highly. Lack of facilities
was listed as the most frequent barrier.
Some of the issues that need addressing,
the survey results suggested, is the need
for programs for special segments, of the
population, (children, handicapped,
seniors), the need for porgrams for teens
and the need for bicycle paths.
With respect to a multi-purpose com-
munity centre, the respondents
unanimously voiced the need for an indoor
swimming pool, fitness centre, gym-
nasium, whirlpool and court facilities for
racquet ball and squash.
'(r' YhtM,/•
Health Fair planned
The last of five Huron County Health
Fairs will be held at the Goderich District
Collegiate Institute, on Nov. 4. The four
previous fairs, held during October at loca-
tions in Seaforth, Wingham, Exeter and
Clinton, all drew large crowds and were
considered successful by organizers.
The purpose of the fairs is to provide
"interesting hands-on health learning op-
portunities within an informal and tun -like
atmosphere," according to organizers.
The Huron County Health Unit, Hurgn-
Perth Lung Association, the Heat t and
Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer
Society and the hospitals in the fair loca-
tions have all played a part in putting
together the events.
Health Fair displays offer visitors a
chance to obtain information about health
issues and to meet health professionals
who are available within the community to
provide advice or assistance. There will be
something for everyone, ranging from
fitness tests or a computer lifestyle
analysis, to a roulette wheel which teaches
about heart health. Special events include
the Heart and Stroke Foundations's
1ifi2'1 _Rope for 3lear..t, Skippers," fiarate
Clemonsirabious nuu puoo.v.y a �••�•--
get involved in an aerobics class.
There will be a wide range of booths and
displays, all aimed at enlightening visitors
on health matters through such -methods
as tests, quizzes and distribution of printed
material.
The Health Fair will be open for visitors
between noon and 8 p.m.
Well over 150 people turned out to a public
meeting at Victoria Public School Wednes
cof a
ommunity centre facilitto discuss the y for the town of
cess
Goderich.of assembling a mater is recreatio e pro- ,
plan for the town and the meeting to
discuss a community centre and its
various components was
part
to and public
e infor-
mation gathering process.
meeting, to discuss the results of surveys,
interviews and other meetings with in-
' dividuals and special user groups, will be
held Dec. 11. The consulting firm, John
Stevenson and Associates, is preparing the
master plan. (photos by Dave Sykes)
The location of the coinmunity centre is
another matter that was discussed both in
the survey and at the special meeting. The
choices offered by citizens included; land
owned by the town, Agriculture Park, In-
dustrial Park, off Suncoast Drive between
the Highways 8 and 21, and at the corner of
Bennett and Eldon. Streets.
Those attending the public meeting were
divided into discussion groups and each
group was asked to address six topics of
discussion; desired activities, community
centre activities, location of a community recreation office. All submissions, and
centre, development financing opera- ideas contained therein, would be included tions will be offered.
tional funding and relative priority.
• Those in attendance received an oppor-
tunity to express their opinions on every
aspect from what they would like to see in
a 'community -centre facility to where it
should be located and how the town should
finance the project.
All comments were recorded by group
leaders and will be forwarded to the con-
sultant for review. Stevenson reminded
those in attendance that everyone was
welcome to submit a written brief on the
matter of a community centre to the
in the final analysis.
Recreation director Jane Netzke said
the Dec. 11 public meeting will deal direct-
ly with the findings of the study. The study
will also include input from workshops
held with senior citizens, the disabled and
a third workshop dealing with pre-school
activity.
The consulting firm also conducted up to
20 interviews with "key leaders" within
the community and their comments will
form a part of the study. The Dec. meeting
will consolidate the information received
through all channels and recommenda-
Concept for new
A preliminary plan for a proposed new
fire hall was presented to Goderich Town
Council by the Fire Sub -committee at the
Oct. 27 meeting of council.
Based on current cost estimates the pro-
posed building, designed with four double -
size bays, would cost about $459,000 to con-
struct, explained Councillor Glen Carey, of
the sub -committee. Estimated costs would
include $370,000 for construction of the
building, $20,000 for site service, $25,000 for
architectural fees, $35,000 for asphalt pav-
ing around' the structure and $9,000 for
landscaping.
"The 'numbers are large and it's going to
require some budgeting," said Carey, ad-
ding that there is currently $50,000 in
reserve funds available for the project.
Carey said the goal of the sub -committee
is a 1988 construction date, so, funds would
have to be set aside in council's 1987 and
1988 budgets for the fire hall. The commit-
tee also recommended Goderich Ad-
ministrator Larry McCabe and the sub-
committee should begin work on a revised
agreement so other municipalities within
the fire area agreement can reserve
money for their share of the construction
of the proposed hall.
"I think we will be asking the townships
to contribute in some signifigant portion to
the construction," Carey said. However,
he added, some research must be done to
acertain how best to incorporate neighbor-
ing townships into the operation, either on
a "fee for service basis," or a partnership -
type agreement.
Goderich Public Works Commissioner
Ken Hunter explained the concept for the
fire hall would be a 6,000 square foot
building, fronting on Suncoast drive arld
backing onto McQuewin. The four double
bars would allow the building to handle
eight "normal-size" trucks, said Hunter.
Office space for the fire chief and a
fire hall revealed to council
secretary, as well as a training room, can-
teen, storage room, workshop, locker and
shower rooms would also be incorportated
into the proposed design.
In response to a question from Councillor
Jim Searls, hunter explained the building
could be expanded in the future to ac-
Councilpermits property zone c g
comondate the eventual possibility of
creating a full-time fire department. The
current design would be workable as is,
shoud a full-time fire chief be appointed,
he said. For a full-time fire department,
sleeping quarters and other renovations
would have to be made, Hunter added.
`However, a full-time fire department is
Request denied -
The town's Property and Works Com-
mittee has turned down a request from'the
Goderich Recreation Board, asking the
town to consider purchasing a small piece
of property on Gibbons Street, for use as a
parking lot for the St. Marys School ball
diamond.
The board made the request after it was
learned, at their September meeting, the
property was for -sale. Recreation Director
Jane Netzke said the board was concerned
the lot might be purchased by someone
who would no longer allow it to be used for
parking.
In a letter to the board, the committee
notified them at their Oct. 23 meeting of
the reasons for turning down the request.
The existing ball diamond is restricted
in use, since the majority of the outfield is
on the Candlelight Restaurant property.
The committee feels if the town is to buy
lots for parking, they should be adjacent to
the Community Centre. The land in ques-
tion is not zoned for parking and the cost
would be prohibitive.
along way off and at most it would require
only two firemen to be there (at the hall) at
one time," said Hunter.
Should the new hall be constructed, the
present fire hall building could be put to
some other use, possibly, it was noted, as a
new home for the Goderich Police Force.
hane
Goderich
Town Council passed two by-
laws which would allow commercial
development to take place on a lot former-
ly zoned residential, at the October 27
council meeting, despite the objection of
some neighboring residents.
One by-law changed the lot, opposite
Mac's Milk on Bayfield road and abutting
onto the residential portion of Bennett
Street from a residential to commercial
designation within the Official Plan of the
Town of Goderich. The second by-law
amended Zoning by-law No. 38, 1985,
changing
digum Density property
to Highway Comom -
mericial (C3).
The request to rezone the vacant lot,
owned by Frank and Florence Fowler, of
Goderich, arose when London land
;developer Jerry Pilkey expressed intereht
in developing he property.
Bennett Street residents Dave Herbison
•
and Mrs. L. Love attended the council
meeting to express concerns over possible
lights, noise and esthetic disruption which
could be caused by the proposed business.
They were concerned that if a business
such as a 24-hour convenience store, or a
restaurant would result in increased traf-
fic and other detractions which would
upset the residential quality of their
neighborhood. . -
A proposal to limit access to the lot to en-
trance from Bayfield Road only was put
forward by Scott Tousaw of the Huron
County Planning Department, as one
possible means to alleviate the residents'
concerns. However, Heather Ross, a
lawyer representing Mr. Pilkey 'said
limiting access would be "a prohibition,"
to the development.
Just what kind of development the
limited access would be a "prohibition" to,
has not yet been revealled.
n. flood risks
Open house o
An open house will be held to explain the
proposed identification of flood risk areas
along an 18 -mile section of Lake Huron, in-
cluding Townships of Ashfield, Colborne,
Goderich and the Town of Goderich.
Representatives of Environment Canada
and the Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources will be present to discuss the
implications of the flood risk mapping
program.
The open house will be held TueSdh ',
Nov. 410, at the Assessment Office flasetnent
"What kind of establishment are they
going to "be putting up there?," asked
Reeve Harry Worsell adding,"I'd like to
know before I vote on it."
"We don't know that yet," replied Mr.
Pilkey.
Councillor"Glen Carey pointed out that
Mr. Pilkey has no obligation at this point to
reveal the exact nature of the proposed
development. He need only be concerned
that it meet the zoning specifications as
they exist at the time the development is to
take place.
"What's happening here, is that we want
him to say he's going to put a Beckers
there — so we can turn him down. But,
that's not what we're here for," Carey
said.
In a recorded vote, council voted 4-3 in
favor of passing the by-laws unammended
to make the zoning changes requested.
Zehrs to help raise
funds for microscope
The Goderich Zehrs store is joining
forces with Alexandra Marine and General
Hospital, in an effort to raise funds for a
surgical microscope for the local hospital.
From Oct. 29, to Nov. 8, any Zehrs'
customer making a donation to the
microscope fund will receive a free hot dog
and pop in return.
The microscope, which will cost just
under $10,000, is needed to enable the local
hospital to perform certain types of ear
surgery on children. Currently, children
needing such operations are referred to
hospitals in Stratford or London.
The fundraiser co-incides with the 10th
anniversary of Zehrs' in Goderich and store
officials felt it would be a good way to fur-
ther the "community involvement," of the
store, said Dave Switzer, of Zehrs.
"The vast majority of our customers are
parents, so we felt this would be a good
way to get involved," said Switzer.
Hospital staff will be manning the dona-
tion booths at the store and reciepts for tax
purposes will be available.
On Oct. 28, 29 and 30, Coca-Cola limited
with donate 50 cents to the microscope
fund for each case of Coke sold.
pianned.
Hall, 46 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich,
from 2to4:30p.m.and 7to9p.m.
All interested residents and property
owners along the Lake Huron shoreline
within these municipalities are welcome to
at end, F:or Mire re inforMatiou contact, the.
MCA, 335$557.
INSIDE THE
SIGNAL -STAR
Advance
to finals
The GDCI Senior and Junior Viking foot-
ball teams have both advanced to the
‘Huron -Perth finals, as the Senior Vikes
downed Norwell 26-0 on ,Monday and the
Juniors defeated Clinton, last Thursday in
semi-final action. Finals will be played.
this Saturday, with the Senior game
played here in Goderich, while the Junior
team travels to Exeter. See the Sports sec-
tion for full details.
i5