M I N U T E S

BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2006-01-20

Meeting No. 1

Attendance

Acting Chair: J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fire Services Members: Regional Councillor J. Heath Regional Councillor J. Jones Councillor G. McKelvey Councillor A. Chiu Others: Councillor J. Webster

E. Adams, Project Manager S. Andrews, Director, Asset Management L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning D. McClean, Fire Chief M. Shatil, Project Manager W. Snowball, Deputy Fire Chief S. Sydij, Financial Planning G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre Operations S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services A. Wolfe, Project Consultant C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

The Building and Parks Construction Committee convened at the hour of 9:00 a.m. with Mr. J. Sales, Commissioner, Community and Fires Services, in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF ELEVENTH BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2005 HELD ON DECEMBER 16, 2005

It was agreed that the minutes of the Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting held on December 16, 2005, be adopted.

2. PARKS

a) Update

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Planning, advised that a full report on the 2006 Parks Capital Program was presented to Development Services Committee on January 9, 2006. Ms. Irvine presented concept plans of the Wismer, Highglen and Leithcroft Neighbourhood Parks, as well as the Fairtree Community Park and the Unionville Experiential Play Area. It was noted that public meetings to present the designs to residents have been set for Wismer (February 9, 2006), Highglen (February 15, 2006) and Fairtree (February 27, 2006) but dates have yet to be set for Leitchcroft and Unionville.

3. EVENTS

a) Update

There was no update on this matter.

4. FIRE

a) Bur Oak Fire Station

Mr. E. Adams, Project Manager, advised that the station opened on December 19, 2005. Bill Snowball and George Bertig were thanked for their support during the construction process and Marjorie Rebane and Tina Murphy for organizing a successful opening. It was noted that the project is on budget. Outstanding deficiencies are being rectified although some work, such as exterior painting and clean up, will be completed in spring 2006.

b) Land Acquisitions – Cathedral and Cornell

There was a brief update on this matter.

5. RECREATION AND CULTURE

a) Cornell Community Centre

Mr. S. Taylor, Director, Strategic Services, showed very preliminary concepts for the Cornell Community Centre and Wellness Centre. It was noted that the designs were produced as part of the application for funding submitted by Markham Stouffville Hospital and that an architect for the project has not yet been retained.

The Committee expressed concern that regular updates have not bee n forthcoming but staff advised that the project has been on hold until the Hospital secures funding and the necessary property. If the Hospital cannot purchase the necessary property, the Community Centre will be located elsewhere. The Committee suggested that a Steering Group or Committee for the project will be useful.

The Committee was briefly advised that groundbreaking for the project is unlikely before 2008, and that the proposed parking deck would be financed by a cost share arrangement.

b) Angus Glen Community Centre and Library

The Committee was advised that the financial reconciliation for the project is almost complete. There was discussion surrounding the need for a full life cycle audit of the components of the facility. Staff agreed to provide more information relating to the audit.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That staff be authorized to undertake a life cycle audit of the components of the Angus Glen Community Centre and Library at an approximate cost of $22,000.00.

CARRIED

c) Markham Little Theatre Rehearsal Hall

Mr. Wolfe advised that the ribbon-cutting has taken place and that an official open house will be held in May or June 2006. Staff agreed to report back to a future meeting with information relating to the project financials, including associated fundraising.

d) Centennial Community Centre Expansion

Mr. M. Shatil, Project Consultant, advised that framing around the fitness centre has commenced, as have utility rough-ins. The second floor topping is complete. It is expected that the front of the building and the fitness centre will be complete in May or June 2006. The gymnasium and bocce courts will follow in 2007. There was discussion surrounding the proposed GO Transit parking deck. Staff advised that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and GO Transit is being drafted and that an update, possibly in camera, may be provided to Council in the near future.

Staff agreed to consider the possibility of increasing the connectivity between the community centre and the parking deck.

e) Thornhill Phase 2

Mr. Adams advised that substantial performance was achieved on December 23, 2005 and the fitness centre became operational from January 3, 2006, with the official opening on January 7, 2006. Rob Bell, Rob Hartnett, Warren Watson, Barb Smyth, Glen Taylor, Marjorie Rebane and Tina Murphy were thanked for their assistance during the construction and opening of the project. It is estimated that outstanding deficiencies will be corrected by March 2006. It was noted that the Phase 1 ground sign will be installed today and that a parking study has been undertaken, with traffic engineers having provided options for review.

It was stated that DuRock is being used to remedy substandard masonry work. For aesthetic reasons, DuRock is also being applied to areas with acceptable masonry. Consequently, the Town may be required to pay some of the cost of this work. Staff advised that a report providing information relating to a delay claim from the contractor will be forthcoming shortly.

The Committee suggested that signage at the site should be improved to provide greater direction to the library. Staff noted that there are site limitations but that the situation will be considered further.

Staff agreed to report back on the policy for installing commemorative plaques in new buildings.

6. LIBRARY

a) Markham Village Library

Moe Hosseini-Ara and the Markham Library branch staff were thanked for their work in ensuring the smooth transition from the existing library to the temporary library in the Markham Community Centre, which was successfully completed on December 17, 2005. Thanks were also extended to Marjorie Rebane, Tina Murphy, Diane Macklin, Irene Chan, Michelle Tidball, and Joanne Pickering for their efforts. It was noted that the perimeter of the site is almost fenced and that interior demolition has commenced and that construction commenced on January 3, 2006.

ADJOURNMENT

The Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 10:30 a.m.