Grant Program:  Recreation Infrastructure Program (RiNC)

 

Project Summary: Milliken Mills Community Centre Expansion

Expand the Milliken Mills Library by approximately 13,000 sq. ft., resulting in a total library size of approximately 30,000 sq. ft. (similar in size to the Angus Glen and Markham Village library branches).  Renovate the existing library space (16,865 sq. ft.) to result in an overall space allocation that provides adequate space for children’s services, teen services, study rooms, meeting/program rooms, and computer learning & training space.

 

With increased demand of pool, more change room space is needed to accommodate users.  Specifically, there is need to create a family change room to provide the necessary amenities for young families.

 

There are many at risk youth in the Milliken Mills area.  Providing a Youth Centre would enable the Town to respond to the very diverse and sensitive needs of this community.

 

Key facility features would include:

o       New Library Space

o       New Family Change Room

o       Youth Centre

 

Costs:

The project budgets have been broken down in considerable detail with third party verification received on costs. At a high level, total costs for this project are as follows:

 

Facility Name

Total Upgrade Budget

Library Expansion

$  6,000,000

Family Change Room

$  1,500,000

Youth Centre

$  3,000,000

10% Consultant / Service Fees

$     105,000

TOTAL COSTS

$10,605,000

 

Timeline:  Preliminary concept drawings have been completed.   It is estimated this project could be ready for construction to begin in 2010 with completion by 2012.

 

Benefits:  There are significant benefits to this project:

 

  • Children and their caregivers engaged in early literacy development, preschool learning activities, and schoolage-learning support in the expanded Children’s Area.
  • Teens living and studying in the South Markham area, and in particular those attending the adjacent high school.
  • Customers of all ages engaged in learning and study, and in particular, high school and postsecondary students, using new study spaces/rooms for quiet study or group school-projects. 
  • Customers participating in recreational and library programs held in the multi-purpose meeting/program rooms.
  • Community groups meeting in the new multi-purpose rooms.
  • Customers of all ages participating in computer learning & training programs.
  • Responds to urgent and diverse service needs in South Markham as identified by Library Board.
  • Increases Library service levels in South Markham (currently 0.2 sq. ft. per capita, compared to 0.45 Town average) with minimal increases in operating expenses compared to creation of a new facility elsewhere. 
  • Improved and enhanced study spaces would directly serve the needs of youth, who use the building heavily due to the close proximity of schools. 
  • Meet public demand for improved/increased spaces for study, meeting, computer training & children's programs.
  • Align the Milliken library facility with modern standards for library services, including appropriate space allocations for children’s spaces, computer space, study space and programming space.

 

Recreation and Library useage is a major contributor to community social life and forms an important part of our culture, traditions and identity.  Access to these opportunities can be an important element of family life by transmitting positive values to children.  Participation enhances community quality of life and lends to the development of healthy, productive citizens. 

 

In addition, the vast majority of Canadians believe that participation in recreation can have a positive influence on the personal and moral development of youth.  Participation in recreation develops self esteem, self discipline and responsibility among our youth; while also helping to establish fitness and a positive identity for persons of all ages.  In the report “Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth – 2006”, it was reported that interesting correlations exist between children’s participation in sport and their sense of belonging and self-esteem.  Children with a low sense of belonging and low self-esteem were half as likely to report participation in sport, regardless of age or gender.  Also important to note is the fact that the decline in self-esteem that begins at the onset of adolescence is mitigated by participation in recreation.