Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-02-13, Page 3Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Times -Advocate 3 Groups offer budget wish lists By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — With council and administration getting down to work on the 2008 municipal bud- get, South Huron wanted to make sure the public had the chance to offer input and advice. On that note, council set aside 30 minutes at its Feb. 4 meeting to allow members of the public to express their thoughts on what kinds of projects council should be looking at. Two groups made presentations last week — the newly -formed Communities in Bloom committee and South Huron Minor Hockey. Linda Tgahrt, representing Communities in Bloom, suggested the municipality improve the land- scaping at the municipal office and Exeter Library. She said the area is "lacking in design that suits the area." Adding that incorporating the new library with the Olde Town Hall was well done, she said the landscaping doesn't fit in with the buildings' character. She went on to say the existing "concrete planters are overwhelm- ing. Their lines are harsh and have a cold appearance." Tgahrt recommended replacing the patio stones with interlocking paving stones, which would give a "warmer" look. She also suggested adding benches and planters of a material other than concrete at the sidewalk level and planters and benches on the upper level "to soft- en the area." Tgahrt noted the area is "the core of our community and is a very visi- ble location . . . These design changes would be esthetically pleasing, functional and reflect the heritage of the buildings." South Huron Mayor Ken Oke said one of the problems the municipali- ty has with the area in front of the municipal office is skateboarders. He said coming up with a different design would make it difficult for skateboarders. Upon questioning from Coun. Tom Tomes, Tgahrt said she didn't know how much money her sugges- tions would cost and said it would be something the municipality would have to find out. Mary Lou Bilcke spoke on behalf of South Huron Minor Hockey and started by saying residents in South Huron are lucky to have access to two ice pads — South Huron Rec Centre and Stephen Twp. Arena in Huron Park. "We do appreciate what we have," she said, but added the floors in the dressing rooms at the Exeter arena need to be replaced. "The concrete is very hard on the skates," she said. Bilcke also suggested installing automatic sliding doors to the entrance of the arena and the entrance of the hallway to the dressing rooms. She said it would be helpful for children and coaches with their hands full of hockey equipment. She said such automat- ic doors would save heating costs. Also, "the spectator area at the top (of the stands) would be much better suited if the rail was replaced with a ledge and foot rest." Bilcke also said two more dress- ing rooms are needed at the South Huron Rec Centre. Because of inadequate dressing and washrooms in Exeter, all of the girls' teams play in Huron Park. "We can never schedule a boys' game following a girls' game at the Exeter arena because the teams share the same showers and wash- room facilities." Also, girls playing on boys' teams are forced to change in a storage room or closet. "The association has concerns regarding their health and safety changing in rooms other than des- ignated change rooms." Other items on minor hockey's wish list include a larger meeting room at South Huron Rec Centre and a room near the dressing rooms for coaches to use to fill out game sheets and use as a change room. The "dream" request is an "all - season facility with an indoor pool, gymnasium, work out facility and walking track along with the ice surface," Bilcke said. "With the national emphasis on becoming healthy and obesity in children it would be fantastic for our commu- nity. As you travel to other commu- nities and witness these facilities you certainly see that we are lack- ing in this respect. Such a large project would probably require a committee and perhaps some kind of a campaign such as what the hospital is doing ... Our organiza- tion would be willing to assist with this kind of project." Frayne noted that when plans for the Rec Centre were being drawn up, a pool was planned, but it was eventually scrapped from the pro- ject because it was deemed too expensive. 101']T1OI $25,000 donation — Donations continue to South Huron Hospital's $1.6 million fundraising campaign.The Ford family recently helped out by making a $25,000 donation."The Ford family is proud to help the South Huron Hospital during their capital campaign to raise the $1.6 million to purchase new X-ray equipment and to renovate our emergency department. Eleven of Jack and Jean's 14 children were born in South Huron Hospital.With strong roots in South Huron the fam- ily realizes how important it is to have a current and progressive health care facility:' From left are Pat O'Rourke of the campaign team, Jack and Jean Ford and Chuck Erb of the campaign team. The South Huron Hospital Foundation Capital Campaign recognizes the following gen- erous donations: Builder • Rick Frayne, Exeter Toyota - Exeter Friend • Raymond and McLean Barristers and Solicitors - Exeter Supporter • Pryde Family - Janet, Jane and Gordon, Brad and Susan, Rob and Laura • In Memory of Cindy Forrest - Bob Forrest - Exeter • Huron - Perth Ag Service • Jim and Betty DeBlock - Exeter • Andrew and Barbara Robertson - Exeter • Robert and RIVER DIRECT CITRUS TRUCKLOAD SALE NEW"‘"" LiLI MON., FEB. 18, moo a.m. • 12 noon Car's Bar & Grill (58 Main St. North) /0 LB BOX OF FLORIDA Seedless Navel Oranges $2000 `or Ruby Red Grapefruit PER BOX TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO START BUILDING FOR TOMORROW Retirement awaits. Plan for it. Know your options. Margery McCurdy — Exeter • In Memory of Gordon and Doreen Kirk - Exeter Contributor • Glenn and Jean Goff - Exeter • Michael and Cynthia Elford - Exeter • Klass and Rita Van Wieren - Exeter • Maxine Sereda - Exeter • Alvin and Elsie Faulder - Exeter • Larry and Barb Wein - Exeter • In Memory of Charlie Atthill - Exeter Provider • Robert and Bonnie Becker - Exeter • Bob and Eleanor Clark - Exeter • South Huron Office Solutions - Exeter • William and Virla Allen - Exeter • Carol Sommerville - South Huron • In Honour of Ted and Stephanie Donaldson NEW BUSINESS in Exeter selling LAMINATE Countertops FORMjTOp Larry McCarter of McCARTER'S CREATIVE COUNTERTOPS would like to take this opportunity to welcome people to his new business of fabricating & installing custom countertops. He is located at 245 McConnell St., Exeter and can be reached by phone 519-235-2888 or Fax 519-235-2884. George Godbolt CFP CLU Paul Ciufo CFP Godbolt, Ciufo Insurance & Financial Services Inc. 519-235-2740 © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2008. Fred Godbolt BASc Sun `� Life Financial