Imo it is time for Oshawa Council to be making PLANS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE! In conjunction with this comes investigating ADDITIONAL CITY ASSETS. What better time than to consider the opportunities that marking the City of Oshawa's Centennial presents!
It was wonderful that some Oshawa residents at the start of this year submitted letters requesting the City consider plans for an outdoor community ice rink!

I want to send out a big thank you to them for initiating this public conversation. Their letters are on this morning's Community Services meeting Agenda.

A spectacular winter outdoor ice rink, including summer reflecting pond with fountains and other amenities could be among the legacy projects the Centennial Committee considers.

Therefore, in my opinion, directing the letters to the Centennial Committee and staff for input makes sense and hopefully will happen this morning. But key is giving DIRECTION TO THE COMMITTEE TO START FUNDRAISING TODAY Planning for legacy projects takes time and funding.

Consider the timeline for success -projects being built and open for events and activities at the start of the Centennial year, 2024!
Yes, there certainly are many priority needs and concerns that the City absolutely must focus on. However, special projects that encourage public participation and celebration are inspirational and in fact can be transformational, creating new vitality and new opportunities for Oshawa.

​In fact, for the City to do something spectacular isn't it an ideal time for the City to consider an INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION for Oshawa's 2024 legacy projects?? Such a competition will increase excitement and awareness not just locally but internationally.

Update re the brief discussion about the status of raising backyard chickens in Oshawa at Monday's Corporate Services Committee meeting.

Staff has since reported back to members of Council that "Chickens are listed as a PROHIBITED animal under Schedule “A” of the Responsible Pet Owner’s By-law except where they are kept in an agricultural zone as part of a normal farm practice.

The Schedule “A” (Prohibited Animals List) was reviewed most recently in 2012 further to extensive public education and review by a panel of independent experts as outlined in Report CORP-12-263-CM.

​Also as information:
• In August 2019, The University of Guelph conducted a study in collaboration with the province (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) on the issue of backyard chickens and found that “many Ontario backyard birds are carrying dangerous pathogens, and a significant number of flock owners are not following proper hygiene practices.”
• Toronto’s Urban Hens TO Program is due to conclude in March 2021. We will monitor for significant developments and new learning.
Oshawa Municipal Law Enforcement receives an average of 5 complaints per year about the alleged keeping of chickens. If chickens are found, they are relocated further to education of the property owner and files are closed."

Without a doubt an outdoor ice rink requires infrastructure and maintenance money and yes the season is short, but the number of municipalities that have been successful opening them, and even having them open during the pandemic is something to celebrate! Who doesn't think that even opening a Centennial Outdoor Rink or Ice Trail as part of the City of Oshawa's 100th anniversary is a doable goal?

​Although there is another idea to explore  for one being built earlier too!
 
Since this conversation started three weeks ago, I, with a nudge from others, have learned a lot, for example: from the Clarington staff report in September 2020 on some costs of a ice trail with refrigeration pipes: https://weblink.clarington.net/.../328682/PWD-001-20.pdf

to the start-up and early issues at the Bentway ice trail under the Gardner at Toronto's lakeshore: www.todocanada.ca/city/toronto/event/bentway-skate-trail/

to the recent closure of the popular Queen's Quay outdoor rink for infrastructure repairs after 37 years operating:​www.harbourfrontcentre.com/rink/

and most of these outdoor rinks are free, I've posted some links earlier concerning the several free rinks in Brampton, Barrie and Newmarket

The Town of Cobourg has had its popular Rotary Harbourfront 1,000 metre outdoor rink for 12 years now. On Dec 23 Cobourg Town Council had a Special meeting and voted to keep it open during the provincial lockdown, with special protocols that limit the skaters on the ice to 10 for up to 45 minutes and bookings must be scheduled in advance. www.cobourg.ca/Modules/News/index.aspx?newsId=5612fae9-1307-4624-bb86-8806c02fbfcb&fbclid=IwAR0QBrTELYiylNcP1j3YCPpMPx8ncNPCldsOtW_0nZ-gF0GKj0rTzbnlehE

and check out this one really fabulous private backyard rink being celebrated this week www.blogto.com/sports_play/2021/01/david-weiss-backyard-skating-rink-toronto/  Inspiring isn't it?