M I N U T E S

BUILDING & PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

2004-04-16

Meeting No. 1

Attendance

Chair: J. Livey, CAO Members: Councillor A. Chiu Reg. Councillor J. Jones (10:05) Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti Councillor G. McKelvey (left 9:35) Others: Regional Councillor J. Heath Councillor S. Daurio

J. Sales, Commissioner, Community & Fire Services A. Taylor, Commissioner, Corporate Services E. Adams, Project Manager S. Bertoia, General Manager, Construction & Utilities L. Irvine, Manager, Parks & Open Space Planning J. Lustig, Director of Financial and Client Services D. McClean, Fire Chief T. Murphy, Special Events Co-ordinator G. Taylor, Manager, Community Centre Operations A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant C. Raynor, Committee Clerk

The Building & Parks Construction Committee convened at the hour of 9:30 a.m. with Mr. J. Livey in the Chair.

1. 2004 SCHEDULE OF PARK, OPEN SPACE

AND FACILITY OPENINGS

Ms. T. Murphy, Special Events Co-ordinator, briefly outlined the 2004 Schedule of Park, Open Space and Facility Openings. She stated that each park and open space had been assigned a funding level, which had been approved by the Finance and Administrative Committee.

It was noted that the Milliken Playground and Splashpad should be listed as being in Ward 8, not Ward 7.

There was some discussion surrounding the allocation of budgets for opening events. Staff indicated that it would be preferable to include the opening event budget within the overall construction budget.

There was consensus that the Committee concurs with the funding levels for opening day events for new parks, open spaces and facilities previously approved by the Finance and Administrative Committee at its meeting on March 22, 2004 to an upset level of $6,000, and that the funding level be incorporated into the overall construction budget for the project.

CARRIED

There was further discussion relating to the June 14, 2004 scheduled opening of the Thornhill Seniors’ Centre and the YMCA. It was noted that it could be difficult to get media coverage for two events on the same day. Staff agreed to discuss this with media outlets before deciding whether to revise the scheduled opening day for the Seniors’ Centre.

2. FUTURE MEETING DATES

It was suggested that members might have scheduling conflicts with some of the proposed future meeting dates. Members agreed to check their schedules and report back at the next meeting.

3. UPDATES:

a) Angus Glen Community Centre and Library

Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Management Consultant, gave a brief presentation detailing the progress of construction to date. He stated that due to adverse weather conditions, the project was slightly behind schedule. The planned opening date for the facility was originally June 30, 2004. However, it is expected that the library will not now be ready until July 31, 2004, and the pool will be delayed until the end of 2004.

There was considerable discussion as to whether there should be two separate openings – one for the library, one for the pool – or one joint opening. Consensus was that it would be preferable to have one grand opening highlighting the pool and the library. Staff agreed to report back at the next meeting with more accurate completion dates so that a decision can be reached as to the earliest date an effective joint opening can be scheduled. It was also suggested that it would be ideal if the Pingle House could be opened at the same time.

b) Markham Community Library Expansion

Mr. E. Adams, Project Manager, advised that there was still considerable work remaining on this project. Staff had been instructed to perform a review of the costs of Option III and Mr. Adams expected a report would be tabled shortly and that this Committee should be able to consider the matter at its next meeting.

c) Thornhill Community Centre Expansion

Mr. E. Adams briefly outlined the current status of this project. It is anticipated that the Seniors’ Centre will be completed in time for the scheduled June 14, 2004 opening.

Phase II, the fitness centre, is slightly behind schedule. The expected completion date is May 2005.

d) Riviera Fire Station

Mr. E. Adams stated that Substantial Performance for this project is scheduled for April 19, 2004. It is anticipated that the building will be fully completed on June 15, 2005, but will be ready for occupancy by the scheduled opening day of May 11, 2004.

It was queried whether the opening could also be used to showcase the new fleet but it was felt that this would be inappropriate.

e) Centennial Community Centre Expansion

Mr. M. Taylor, Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects, briefly outlined plans for the expansion, incorporating an 11,000 sq. ft. bocce court. He advised that the design would entail a restructuring of the parking lots but that no parking spaces would be lost as a result.

The Committee was advised that more detailed plans, including elevation renderings, would be available once the design development stage of the design is underway.

There was some discussion surrounding the use of Development Charges in the funding.

THE BUILDING AND PARKS CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That staff prepare a report on the Centennial Community Centre Expansion (Alternative 3c) as detailed in the presentation by Mr. M. Taylor, Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects, and continue to provide regular updates to the Committee.

CARRIED

f) Bur Oak Fire Station

Mr. E. Adams advised that there was no report on this matter and that a decision has not yet been made on architect selection. Staff were requested to present to the Committee at its next meeting a proposal from an architect. Furthermore, the Committee requested that it review the staff report endorsing an architect for the project following its presentation by staff to a future Finance and Administrative Committee meeting.

A request was also made that the Committee include on its next agenda the matters of the Cornell Fire Station and Ninth Line/Highway 7 planned developments.

g) New Parks

Ms. L. Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, presented a detailed list of forty-six (46) parks and facilities in development, and provided status updates on those projects currently under construction.

There was considerable discussion surrounding the development of Benjamin Marr Park. It was stated that the park would be completed by Fall 2004. It was queried whether certain elements of the development, for instance the splashpad, could be fast-tracked in order for them to be operational this Summer. It was stated that this might be possible by increasing the construction budget in order to allow for more work crews.

Staff agreed to provide an estimate of the budget increase necessary to fast-track the development.

There was also a query as to whether there was sufficient space at Centennial Community Centre for a splashpad. Staff advised that they would examine the possibility.

Ms. Irvine requested guidance on which facilities to bring to the Committee for updates. She was advised that some of the smaller parkettes, and similar, do not require Committee input, but that some of the more material developments should be brought before the Committee for design review and other feedback.

The Committee requested that the list of planned developments be combined with a list of other planned facility openings in the Town, Town-owned and otherwise, as an information tool for the Committee.

h) Museum Reception

There was a brief update as to the status of this project. Tenders will be going out this Summer, with construction expected to begin in Fall 2004.

4. OTHER BUSINESS

Councillor A. Chiu queried the budget relating to park illuminations, and requested updates. Staff advised that this is being tracked and that any outstanding requests will be followed up.

ADJOURNMENT

The Building and Parks Construction Committee meeting adjourned at the hour of 11:55 a.m.