Below is the slide deck presentation from the Monteith Brown consultant Anand Desai, outlining what a new community centre in North West Oshawa might include.
Several staff and members of Council think the location should be in the Northwood Business Park, which will require the extension of Britannia Ave West over the Oshawa Creek and more new infrastructure to extend water and sewers there too.
The Consultant indicated this was the City’s location of choice and the City expects it to be completed in 2026. Monteith Brown supports it, although was not engaged to consider alternate sites.
A new community recreation centre is definitely needed in Oshawa’s north west.
But when the consultant says this location is to service the 11,000 residents in the Windfields Part II Plan PLUS the coming 29,000 new population forecast for north of Hwy 407 with the Columbus Part II Plan, in my opinion the City should get started planning yet another Community Centre north of the 407 soon too, rather than put it on the back burner like they did with this one east of the college and university at Britannia Ave. and Thornton Rd N. (when they connect).
When projects have rushed timelines they usually cost more. To say this is to be completed in less than 3 and a half years… it may be possible… if money was unlimited.
I asked the consultant if he knew what is the proposed cost for the new Whitby sports and recreational centre which he referred to in his report ( soon to be constructed only 5 km from the location where Oshawa is proposing to build). He said he did not know.
It will be interesting to compare. It seems the construction tender for the Whitby Sports Complex is open until Jun 28 so the cost should be available in the fall.
On the other hand, this spring Clarington put a pause on its plans to build a new recreation facility when it’s costs increased (more than doubled) from $60 Million to $134 Million!
It will be exciting when things start to fall into place… meanwhile however, rumour I heard is that Rotary Pool will not be completed next year in time for the Oshawa Centennial. I hope the rumour is incorrect, but when I tried to ask that question at Committee today I was interrupted and unfortunately didn’t get confirmation or denial .. though I intend to find out because as many say, managing expectations is important.
Meanwhile today’s report CO-23-33 gives me more reason to object to the City spending $880,000.00 on 4 signs to mark the gateway to the Northwood Business Park… would be better to hold that DC and reserve money for the new Community Rec Centre IN THE Northwood Business Park. Council will be voting on this June 26th. I posted the 3 design choices the Economic Development Committee chose from ..and question the need. At the June 5, 2023 Economic Development Committee meeting the Mayor chose Option A.
Several staff and members of Council think the location should be in the Northwood Business Park, which will require the extension of Britannia Ave West over the Oshawa Creek and more new infrastructure to extend water and sewers there too.
The Consultant indicated this was the City’s location of choice and the City expects it to be completed in 2026. Monteith Brown supports it, although was not engaged to consider alternate sites.
A new community recreation centre is definitely needed in Oshawa’s north west.
But when the consultant says this location is to service the 11,000 residents in the Windfields Part II Plan PLUS the coming 29,000 new population forecast for north of Hwy 407 with the Columbus Part II Plan, in my opinion the City should get started planning yet another Community Centre north of the 407 soon too, rather than put it on the back burner like they did with this one east of the college and university at Britannia Ave. and Thornton Rd N. (when they connect).
When projects have rushed timelines they usually cost more. To say this is to be completed in less than 3 and a half years… it may be possible… if money was unlimited.
I asked the consultant if he knew what is the proposed cost for the new Whitby sports and recreational centre which he referred to in his report ( soon to be constructed only 5 km from the location where Oshawa is proposing to build). He said he did not know.
It will be interesting to compare. It seems the construction tender for the Whitby Sports Complex is open until Jun 28 so the cost should be available in the fall.
On the other hand, this spring Clarington put a pause on its plans to build a new recreation facility when it’s costs increased (more than doubled) from $60 Million to $134 Million!
It will be exciting when things start to fall into place… meanwhile however, rumour I heard is that Rotary Pool will not be completed next year in time for the Oshawa Centennial. I hope the rumour is incorrect, but when I tried to ask that question at Committee today I was interrupted and unfortunately didn’t get confirmation or denial .. though I intend to find out because as many say, managing expectations is important.
Meanwhile today’s report CO-23-33 gives me more reason to object to the City spending $880,000.00 on 4 signs to mark the gateway to the Northwood Business Park… would be better to hold that DC and reserve money for the new Community Rec Centre IN THE Northwood Business Park. Council will be voting on this June 26th. I posted the 3 design choices the Economic Development Committee chose from ..and question the need. At the June 5, 2023 Economic Development Committee meeting the Mayor chose Option A.
If major corporations like Pantalone and Broccolini want nice signage surely they can afford it. IMO the City has many more pressing priorities. Ironic how a community group which is volunteering their time and not taking any City money for a Community OSHAWA SIGN in a downtown parkette has had people make a big fuss…, but it slides by when the City is planning on using Oshawa reserve funds and DC funds for these North Wood Business Park signs, You would think the public would find more fault with these Northwood Business Park signs, as something unreasonable and unnecessary for the City to spend money on, than a Community funded OSHAWA SIGN.
