The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-04-29, Page 8Page A8 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fence a TeckNigbt
1
th ANNUAL EVENT
HOURS OF SAVINGS
LOCATIONS - London, Strathroy,
Tillsonburg & Mitchell
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Thurs. ApriI 30 - 5-9pm
Our stores will close at 4 pm to get ready and re -open at 5:00 pm
SPECIAL PRICING ON:
• Quality Pressure Treated Lumber
• Hi -Line Cedar and Composite Decking
• Railings and Accessories
• 3/4" Classic Fence Boards
IN YOUR PURCHASE!
customer from eachbranch has a
nce to WIN THEIR PURCHASE,
he made only on April 30, 2009 from 5-9pm.
fy{sir pF
to be held on Friday May 8, 2009.
Largest Event in Southwestern Ontario!
DELIVERY AVAILABLE -- FLAT RATE $30 WITHIN OUR TRADING AREA
PURCHASES CAN BE MADE BY VISA, MASTERCARD, DEBIT OR CASH
KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!
PURCHASES COULD QUALIFY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TAX CREDIT
One
Night
OnIy!
• www.moffattandpowell.com
LONDON
1282 Hyde Park Rd.
(519) 472-2000
1-888-268-0202
MITCHEU
5835 Line 34, R.R. 3
(519) 348-8437
1-800-663-6977
TILLSONBURG
146 Tillson Ave.
(519) 842-4201
1-800-363-4201
Don't
Miss
Out!
STRATHROII
75 Caradoc St. S.
(519) 245-1360
1-800-567-1360
GREAT HOMES START AT MOFFATT AND POWELL
Town ready to proceed with
$48 million harbour project
Dave Sykes
signal -star publisher
Goderich town council has advised the
Goderich Port Management Corporation
(GPMC) to proceed with an application to
Build Canada calling for $48 million in up-
grades to existing harbour facilities and the
creation of 17 acres of new land north of the
salt mine.
Council authorized the application after a
presentation by GPMC general manager Al
Hamilton suggested that part of the funding
could be used almost immediately to up-
grade existing facilities while the creation
of a large piece of land in the north harbour
could be started by 2011.
As much as $14 million would be required
for upgrades to the port, including improve-
ments to the south pier and breakwalls and
improvement of North Harbour Road lead-
ing to the area. He estimated it would cost
another $32 million to create the 15 acres of
usable land in North Harbour.
"We have good infrastructure now but the
big issue is that there is no room to expand.
This project would create space," he told
council. "We are the only deep -water port
on this side of Lake Huron and we have an
unique asset. This investment would put us
in good shape moving forward.
There have been expressions of interest
for an area at the harbour to store and move
bulk materials and goods. Deputy -mayor
John Grace suggested the harbour would be
an ideal site for the transport of windmills
and other large power -generating compo-
nents.
In its application to Build Canada, Joyce
Wilson said initial funding would speak to
shovel -ready projects such as improvements
to the south pier and breakwalls over the
next two years.
'Environmental assessments will be re-
quired for the infill project but the shovel -
ready -work on the piers and breakwalls can
proceed over the next two years while envi-
ronmental assessment goes on," she said.
Creating new land that will facilitate
the storage and shipment of goods by lake
freighter has green appeal as the project
would reinforce the use of the 1120 high-
way' and local rail links.
The funding application calls for the fed-
eral and provincial governments to ante up
two-thirds of the cost of the project or $32
million. The $16 million balance would
come from the municipality through the Port
Corporation and its user fees.
Mayor Deb Shewfelt said the Port Corpo-
ration could financially manage the town's
portion through user fees, calling the project,
"a gateway project for large shipment any-
where in the world."
Photo by Denny Scott
Laid to rest
Legion president
June Pyette,
Goderich Mayor
Deb Shewfelt, and
Reverend Chris
Morgan led the
final Battle of the
Atlantic Parade
and Service.
Goderich rent higher •than neighbours
From page 1
zoning, claiming that site plan concerns
could easily be resolved between parties. The
group has funding in place from three levels
of government to cover the $1.05 million
renovation costs to convert the property to a
12 -unit housing complex.
They cited the demonstrated need for af-
fordable housing in Goderich as a motivating
factor in moving ahead with rezoning.
"Three years ago there was a call for fund-
ing of affordable housing and we called
the faith communities together and formed
Maple Tree not-for-profit," Payne said. "We
have had meetings with the neighbours, We
(the board) will do the selection process and
maintenance of the buildings. We want to im-
prove the neighbourhood. "
Representatives of Bethel Pentecostal As-
sembly and Salvation Army also sit on the
board and Payne suggested the record of
those two groups in building and maintenance
is impressive. "Their buildings are well built
and well cared for;' she said.
Statistical evidence was presented outlining
the difficulty people have finding affordable
housing in the Goderich area. Tim Andrews
of Salvation Army said it is his goal to bring
affordable housing to Goderich considering
that residents here pay $100 more per month
for apartments than people in the surrounding
area.
The Community Matters Survey conduct-
ed a few years ago identified the lack of af-
fordable housing as the number one issue fac-
ing residents of Goderich and Huron County.
Without low-income housing, waiting lists
only increase and more challenges are placed
on families, council learned.
A motion to amend bylaw 38 to allow for
the Maple Tree development was unanimous-
ly endorsed by council._ Site plan agreements
will have to be presented to council at its may
11 meeting.