Council Meeting Highlights: September 23, 2024

Council approves City’s Recreation & Parks – Ten Year Plan

Council approved the City’s new Recreation & Parks – Ten Year Plan (2024 – 2034), which will help guide future investments for community centres, ice rinks, sports fields, pools and splash pads, playgrounds, and more.

This Plan was designed to address changes in current and future community demographics, changing recreational behaviour patterns and trends, aging community infrastructure, and future areas for growth and development.

The Recreation & Parks – Ten Year Plan was developed through a comprehensive engagement process, and includes a framework to help guide the development of indoor facilities, outdoor recreation amenities, parkland, and recreation services (such as programs, partnerships, and related policies).

Read Report CS 22-24 for details.

City retains MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. for new Pickering City Centre Park

Council approved the Request for Proposal No. RFP2024-1 for the new Pickering City Centre Park – Design submitted by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd., to provide design and construction services in the amount of $744,105.00 (total net cost).

As part of the mall redevelopment and City Centre Master Plan, CentreCourt is conveying 0.5753 hectares (1.42 acres) of parkland to the City of Pickering for the construction of this urban park, located in the existing parking lot directly across from Glenanna Road and the Pickering Civic Complex.

Through community engagement, and input from Council and staff, a number of features were recommended for consideration in the design. These features include:

• outdoor skating rink (winter)
• public event space (summer)
• public washroom and maintenance
• water feature(s)
• public art
• large shade structure “stage” area
• soft landscaping/trees
• public seating/gathering areas

This project was identified as Council’s second highest Capital Budget priority at the Special Meeting of Council on January 18, 2024 (Resolution #379/24).

The estimated total cost of the park, including design, construction, furniture, and fixtures is $15 million.

Read Report ENG 16-24 to learn more.

Council approves additional funds to replace flooring of indoor tennis courts

The City of Pickering is replacing the flooring within its existing tennis courts at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex.

While construction has started, the removal of the existing floor and base resulted in the discovery of more extensive removals and repairs than could have been determined prior to commencing. This includes the complete replacement of both power and fire alarm wiring, foundation work, painting, as well as additional testing and inspections.

As such, Council approved additional funds in the amount of $347,002.00, which will support the ongoing work and completion of this project.

The revised total net project cost is $1,176,244.00 (net of HST rebate). The increased costs still remain within the total approved Capital Budget for the project

Read Report OPS 16-24 to learn more.

Council authorizes staff to pursue grant funding for City projects

To help fund meaningful City projects, City staff with be taking advantage of Federal and Provincial grant opportunities, including:

Federal Grants

1. The Green & Inclusive Community Building Program (GICB) New Building Project stream and Medium Retrofit Project steam.

The GICB New Building Project steam was identified as an ideal grant opportunity to fund a portion of the planned costs for the construction of the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library, as it funds the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings for underserved and high-needs communities across Canada. GICB will consider projects over $25 million and will contribute a maximum grant funding of $25 million per project.

2. The Green & Inclusive Building Program (GICB) Medium Retrofit Project stream.

The GICB Medium Retrofit Project stream was identified as an ideal grant opportunity to fund a portion of the planned costs for the repair of the O’Brien Arena retrofit, as it funds projects that range in size from $250,000 to $2,999,999, and aims to achieve 25 percent in energy efficiency improvements as a result. The GICB will fund up to 80 percent of eligible costs for medium retrofits up to $9,999,999.

Provincial Grants

1. Stream 1 of the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

The CSRIF was identified as an ideal grant program to fund a portion of the planned costs for playground replacement, as it supports critical facility repairs that provide community sport and recreation within Ontario. Stream 1 funds up to 50 percent of eligible funds, with a maximum grant contribution of $1,000,000.

2. Stream 2 of the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF).

Stream 2 was identified as an ideal grant program to fund a portion of the planned costs for the construction of the City Centre Park, as it funds new construction projects in Ontario that create spaces for sport and recreation. Stream 2 funds up to 50 percent of eligible funds, with a maximum grant contribution of $10,000,000.

Naming Public Amenities after former Mayors

The City will be engaging community members after Council grants staff the authority to solicit public comment on the proposed names for two City amenities, including:

1. The naming of the exhibit gallery in the Pickering Heritage & Community Centre as the ‘John E. Anderson Exhibit Gallery’. John E. Anderson first elected to Pickering Council as Ward 1 Local Councillor in 1972. During this time, he would work for constituents during the day and on trains at night, as he was an employee of the Canadian Pacific Railway for more than 40 years. He was appointed Mayor of the Town of Pickering in 1977, and served for 11 consecutive years, until his retirement in 1988.

Staff have recommended this naming in honour of his significant contributions to the City of Pickering, and for shaping the history and development of the community.

Staff will report back to Council with a summary of community feedback and final recommendations in Q4 of 2024.

Read Report CS 25-24 to learn more.

2. Naming the gymnasium in the future Seaton Recreation Complex & Library the ‘Wayne Arthurs Gymnasium’. Wayne Arthurs was first elected to Pickering Council as Local Councillor for Ward 3 in 1982. Wayne Arthurs served as Councillor for two consecutive terms before he was elected Mayor in 1988, a position he held for 15 years. During his time as Councillor, he continued to work as a high school physical education teacher and guidance counsellor.

Staff have recommended this naming in honour of his significant contributions to the City of Pickering, and his vision for the Seaton community.

Staff will report back to Council with a summary of community feedback and final recommendations in Q2 of 2025.

Read Report CS 26-24 to learn more.

Council approves expansion of parking area for Valley Plentiful Community Garden

Council approved the Request for Quotation No. Q2024-33, submitted by 1108575 Ontario Ltd., (Kon-Strutt Construction), for the Valley Plentiful Community Garden Parking Area and Expansion, located in Diana, Princess of Wales Park, directly south of Kingston Road.

This expansion project includes the construction of a thirteen-car asphalt parking lot, complete with two accessible parking spaces; an access driveway off Kingston Road; three large raised accessible garden beds; a bicycle rack; and associated landscaping and site restoration work.

This current parking area available for Valley Plentiful Community Garden users is located at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, which has a distance of 370 metres to the south garden, and 470 metres to the north garden. Given the lengthy distance, gardeners with accessibility requirements, seniors, and food bank volunteers have had to park their vehicles on the gravel shoulder along Kingston Road, which the City has deemed a safety concern. Additionally, with the upcoming reconstruction and urbanization of Kingston Road, as part of the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit project, road-side parking will no longer be available.

The total project cost is $157,721.00 (HST included).

Read Report ENG 21-24 to learn more.