The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-12-30, Page 14Page 14 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Building a community
n late April, Goderich Town Council
cleared the way for the Maple Tree
_ Corporation to convert the
former`Maple Grove property at 45 Nelson
St. into a 12 -unit affordable housing com-
plex. The project was the subject of a num-
ber of meetings through the year, including
a mediator -led sit-down with neighbours of
the property on May 25. Council delayed a
decision on a site plan approval, opting to
have Maple Tree board members meet with
residents of Nelson and surrounding streets
to resolve outstanding issues with the help
of mediator Scott Tousaw. On May 24,
council made another step forward in their
quest to populate the downtown area when
they gave the go-ahead for Maple Tree, as
well as the creation of four seniors' resi-
dences on Picton Street East.
In 2009, the construction project to re-
vamp Goderich's Town Hall made sig-
nificant progress. Architect Alan Avis told
council May 11 that the project remained on
schedule, and crews were working toward
a December 17 completion date. The town
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was required to complete the project within
the 2009 calendar year to meet provincial
accessibility requirements. In the interim,
town hall staffand services remained -avail-
able across the street at the Goderich Hydro
building at 64 West St. As the building
took shape with each week of construction,
Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt said in Au-
gust the colour of the new town hall caused
some confusion for residents. The red brick
design was mandated by the Ontario Heri-
tage Trust to set the new building apart as
separate, while being unified in both usage
and services with old town hall. By mak-
ing the building on the corner of West and
Waterloo a different colour, Shewfelt said
the distinction of the old town hall stands
out all the more. Operations are expected to
move into the completed building in Janu-
ary, 2010.
On June 13, the north yard at Colborne
Central Public School underwent a transfor-
mation with the installation of a new state-
of-the-art accessible playground structure.
New monkey bars, swings, a picnic shelter
and a new 400 -metre track were also part of
the overall project that saw staff, students
and-comihunity members come together
to raise funds and inspiration for the proj-
ect. The playground structure was named
for fallen hero Detective Constable Rob-
ert Plunkett, an Auburn native, and York
Regional police officer who was killed in
the line of duty in 2007. The track was also
dedicated to a local legend— Mr. Bob Leck-
ie, a World War II veteran who visited stu-
dents regularly to share the importance of
Canada's wartime past and present. Leckie
passed away in 2007. A formal dedication
ceremony was also held Sept. 23.
There was plenty of time for monkey-
ing around at Holmesville Public School
September 17, as kids clambered on the
school's brand new playground equipment.
Holmesville held an open house and bar-
beque as part of the official opening of the
playground, thanking the parents' commit-
tee who helped make the new equipment a
reality. Through regular joint parent -teach-
er committee meetings, she said details
were hashed out as
to how they wanted
to address the is-
sue. The result was a
year-long fundrais-
ing effort that saw
more than $30,000
raised for two play-
ground sets - one for
primary grades and one for intermediate.
Medical students got a taste of homey
comfort in 2009, when the Alexandra Ma-
rine and General Hospital completed trans-
formation of its Montcalm property into a
four-bedroom residence. An official ribbon -
cutting was held on June 29.
Habitat for Humanity got a roof over its
head in July when it opened the doors to its
temporary ReStore location at the former
site of Giant Tiger in the Zehrs Plaza on
Hwy 8. Goderich Town Council approved
the not -for -profit's site plan agreement for a
permanent Parsons Court store June 15.
It was two years in the works, but on April
2, the Salvation Army opened its doors at
their newest location on Suncoast Drive.
The new building not only houses the thrift
store, but also food bank and family servic-
es where people can go for emergency food
hampers or accommodations or any other
service offered by the organization.
It was a noisy day Sept. 25 at the end of
Lighthouse Street, as workers from IF Con-
struction of Bayfield sandblasted the town's
signature landmark in the first wave of res-
toration efforts for the Goderich Lighthouse.
It was also a day of discovery for workers
and town staff, as they found new surprises
beneath the layers of old paint. "We just
discovered the cap is copper -topped," said
parks superintendent Martin Quinn. "We
didn't know the top was copper."
Rock In
the New Year at
The Docks
Join us for our all you can eat
Frime Rib dt Salad Bar Bret
between 5 and 9 pm on Dec 314
and stay all night to Rock in the New Year
with "THE CHEAP SHIRTS"
Dinner & Dance $50
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just Dance or Just Dinner 'rickets Available
Hrncmberto bring in 2010 Right!'
Evety Saturday Nigh .. M you can eat,..
Prime Rib & Mussels Buffet!
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Hwy 21 Bayfield
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open '\7(J ,Stin
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