The following community update has been provided to CollingwoodToday by Mayor Yvonne Hamlin.
It has been a whirlwind start to my term as Mayor. I have selected a few highlights to share with the community.
Parks, parks, and more parks!
Our amazing Sunset Point Park opened last fall and the Awen’ Waterplay has now welcomed its first children into a wonderful world of water and discovery. If you haven’t seen them, I encourage you to head over with your family to check them out! These are both major projects we have financed through the collection of development charges collected and saved over the years.
Did you know that “Awen’” is a Wendat word for water? The Thunderbird, original artwork added behind the waterfall, is considered a powerful spiritual being in Indigenous lore, which commands storm clouds and brings much needed rain.
Revitalization of the Collingwood Grain Terminals and Spit
I recently signed an agreement on behalf of the Town which, among other things, allows public consultations to begin on a proposal to redevelop and revitalize the grain terminals and the spit on which they are located.
The proposal contemplates a fully restored terminal building open to the public. A boutique hotel would be located within the terminal building and a restaurant, event space and public viewing area established on the top floor (“bin floor”). I am told that the 360- degree view from this space is awesome providing sweeping views of Georgian Bay and our beautiful historic downtown. The only piece of land that would be sold is an approximate .2-acre parcel that would contain a condo building in the place of the mechanic shop/marine tower at the east end of the terminals.
There would also be significant upgrades to all the public realm space on the spit including Heritage Drive. Safer access to the water for swimmers, better marina facilities and ramps for boaters of all types, active transportation routes, an enhanced park space and much more.
The terminal building has been abandoned for almost 30 years. This will be our community’s opportunity to participate in bringing something for everyone to enjoy at this iconic space. We have already received lots of positive feedback on the proposed concept. However, I appreciate that not everyone wants a hotel and residences on the spit. Importantly, it is this partnership with the private sector that will allow the possibility of the significant improvements to our public realm space, and the restoration and re-opening of the historical terminal building from a financial point of view. I look forward to hearing from you this Fall as we launch our official public consultation process.
Water Treatment Plant Expansion
To allow for future growth in both our Town and New Tecumseh to our south and possibly other towns, an agreement was entered into to jointly fund the expansion of our water plant with New Tecumseh, undertake a design process and put it out for tender.
Tenders have now been received and the costs are much higher than budgeted for and much higher than the capacity of our municipalities to pay for. I am now holding meetings with senior levels of government to seek funding assistance. This is an important infrastructure project for our community.
Poplar Health and Wellness Village
I recently signed an agreement on behalf of the Town with the developer of the “Poplar Regional Health & Wellness Village” to be built on a 130-acre parcel of land on the north side of Poplar Sideroad, east of Georgian College. This agreement sets out a planning process to guide the development and includes provisions relating to such things as park and trail development and the transfer of 30 acres for our future hospital (pending an anticipated but not yet confirmed Provincial commitment to build a hospital) as well as 2 acres for a future fire station, at no cost to the community.
Affordable housing for people who work in Collingwood
We are moving forward with our plans on this complex matter. This is where we are at:
On the funding front, Council set aside $576,000 in the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund to assist with affordable housing initiatives. Recently, John Welton, President of the local builder Sunvale Homes, also committed $1 million dollars to Collingwood to be used for affordable housing programs.
We hired a dedicated affordable housing staff member who works hard every day to push the needle forward.
Our Rapid Accessory Dwelling Unit program, which supports the creation of additional rental units on the property of existing homeowners, is well underway. Grants are available in 2023. Our Town is the first municipality in Ontario to have a comprehensive approach to ADUs, including pre-approved building plans available.
Public consultations on a draft Affordable Housing Master Plan wrapped up in August and we expect delivery of the final report at a special meeting of Council on October 30, including a recommendation from staff on items that should be included in the 2024 budget. Council and our community will be able to consider these options during the 2024 budget process that begins this fall. Please weigh in during this process. This will be our opportunity to see how and where we can support the building of rental units as a community.
Housing for people who work in Collingwood continues to be a priority for our community and Council and I would like to give a huge shout out to the dedicated and hardworking and volunteer-based Affordable Housing Task Force which serves as a forum for community conversation and advocacy for affordable housing in Collingwood.
Meeting with our residents
Last summer during the election campaign, I heard a request many times that we hold town hall style meetings for our residents. I agreed. This summer, Council hosted our first such meeting at the Curling Club. Lots of people in the neighbourhood showed up and it was an interesting and informative exchange of ideas and information.
The intention is to hold four of these meetings a year, each in a different neighbourhood. Staff has named these sessions “S.P.AR.C. in the Park” which stands for Speak, Participate, Act, Reach & Connect with Council.
Construction Update
The Town is moving forward with a crosswalk at High Street and Plewes/Findlay Drive. This project is out for tender, and timing to install will be dependent on a successful bidder and how quickly winter snow arrives.
The most common questions I receive concern both High Street and Hurontario Street.
With respect to High Street, staff advise that in addition to resurfacing the road, buried infrastructure (think water and sewer pipes) needs to be replaced, road sections will require widening, traffic signals will be improved, sidewalks replaced, and multi-use trails added. Currently the timing of this work is within the 5-to-10-year range.
With respect to Hurontario Street, Council approved in 2023 the commencement of an “environmental assessment” to review all the underground infrastructure needs, as well as traffic flow and patterns and growth impacts. This will assist in deciding future design, required works and ultimately the timing of that work.
Staff have initiated a design workplan to review Hurontario Street from Hume to Collins Street. The scope will include any necessary widening and infrastructure improvements. The community will be engaged through a public information session before any work proceeds.
Out and About in Town
There are so many special events that I was honoured to participate in over the past number of months. Here are a few from this summer. I was on hand for the opening of Moses Znaimer’s launch in July of Bay Watch, Collingwood’s own 24-7 news channel.
Collingwood’s Music Festival was a great success again this year!
Collingwood’s Pride Parade was enhanced with the inclusion of the Town’s float! Council members and staff had a great time handing out “freezies” to those lining the streets!
Your Council
I cannot finish without giving a shout-out to our amazing Councillors. All of whom are hardworking and kind and dedicated to our community’s well-being. To learn more about and contact any of our members of Council, click here.
This was my first Thanksgiving as Mayor of Collingwood, and I am filled with gratitude every day for this amazing community I call home. One of the many amazing things about Collingwood is that it is filled with people who care. Many residents, volunteers, and community builders dedicate their time and resources to helping others and to being a good neighbour. I’m proud to live and work in a community with so many compassionate citizens.