Latest / North Shore News / May 15th, 2026

Transcript

May 15th, 2026 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
0:10
Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
0:14
on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
0:20
and beyond. In April, staff met with a working
0:37
committee made up of residents who were looking
0:39
to preserve services at the center. During this
0:41
meeting, staff received the petition consisting
0:43
of over 1 ,500 signatures. After receiving the
0:46
petition, staff received a request from a member
0:48
of council to add the petition to their latest
0:50
agenda. Council originally approved a staff recommendation
0:52
to formally close the center as a direct programming
0:55
space on August 1, 2026. This came after a close
0:58
three to two vote. Residents who use the space
1:01
regularly have brought concerns to council including
1:03
the size of the new space, privacy and the costs
1:06
associated. The matter will come before council
1:08
again at their June 9th meeting. Loyalist Township
1:11
resident Lorna Thorne explained the petition
1:13
and noted the response from the community. We
1:16
have collected over 1 ,500 signatures for residents
1:19
in Amherstview, Odessa and Bath and the rural
1:21
areas. Our petition states that we would like
1:24
Council to take the necessary steps to make a
1:27
reversal of the 3 -2 vote taken on March 10th
1:30
regarding the decision to close the lack and
1:33
move existing programs to the Henderson Community
1:35
Centre. Going door to door was a new experience
1:39
and daunting for many of us. We were overwhelmed
1:42
with the positive response we received from the
1:45
constituents of Loyalist Township. Resident of
1:48
Loyalist Township and former recreation director
1:50
Cindy Lawson speaks about the need for the centre.
1:53
Following my retirement in 2013, the space was
1:56
renovated and since then people of all ages have
1:59
been enjoying a great variety of programs. Disappointment
2:02
is an understatement. When I learned on March
2:04
10th, a staff report recommended the closure
2:07
of the Leisure and Activity Centre and council
2:09
approved it. I cannot understand how a facility
2:12
that took over 25 years to acquire is no longer
2:15
needed. This community is growing. We currently
2:18
have a space that serves us well. Now is not
2:21
the time to give it up, as we all know to replace
2:23
it is not in the foreseeable future. Loyalist
2:26
Township resident Barbara Usman -Goldhar notes
2:28
the importance of spaces like the Leisure and
2:30
Activity Centre within a community. As a widow
2:33
recovering from illness, I look to find a centre
2:36
where I could begin my healing process. Being
2:41
a retired physiotherapist with 35 years experience
2:45
in rehabilitation, I knew the benefits of exercise.
2:49
I looked for an exercise center and found the
2:52
lack just five minutes from my home. I realized
2:55
quickly that this was the place that I needed.
2:58
As I joined the exercise classes, I found an
3:00
energetic group of like -minded people who were
3:04
exercising to keep fit. For example, to maintain
3:07
diabetic control. blood pressure and weight gain,
3:11
prevent aging complications such as osteoporosis
3:14
and dementia, and recover from serious health
3:17
issues. Morning classes with instructors who
3:20
educate and model are particularly helpful as
3:24
they establish routines, prevent stiffness and
3:27
improve energy and mental clarity. The LAC offers
3:30
a cohesive center where participants get to know
3:33
each other, find support and have fun. Large,
3:36
safe, and well -designed exercise centers like
3:39
the LAC are essential to accommodate group classes
3:43
effectively. It is vital to create a community
3:46
where people can live healthier, longer, and
3:48
more connected lives. Another resident, Carla
3:50
Rogers, explains the concerns residents have
3:53
brought to Council. We have provided Council
3:55
and staff with the petition, several documents,
3:59
foot and photos explaining the opposition to
4:01
the concept of moving the fitness programs to
4:04
a room that is half the size with low ceilings,
4:07
epoxy flooring, and as well as the downfalls
4:10
of reducing class sizes and spreading them throughout
4:13
the day. We have explained the shortcomings of
4:15
the proposed room for the purpose of the children's
4:17
programs due to the lack of cooking facilities
4:19
and the reduced space. Community recreation facilities
4:23
are not just line items. They are infrastructure
4:26
that support health, connection and equality
4:29
of life in our township. Councillor Jake Ennis
4:32
spoke about the potential reconsideration at
4:34
their June 9th meeting. I think residents have
4:37
been very clear about their concerns. I think
4:40
they've been very clear that they don't want
4:43
to see a reduction in service. I'm sympathetic
4:48
to those concerns. I think it's a positive step
4:52
that staff are looking at alternatives and I
4:55
think it's important for us. us to consider consider
4:59
those alternatives and for the public to consider
5:02
those alternatives in addition to a potential
5:05
reconsideration in in June. Councillor Carol
5:09
Park spoke about the original decision and coming
5:11
back to council in June. I believe that council
5:14
made the wrong decision. That's my personal opinion
5:17
and as a swing vote that was part of that meeting,
5:22
I do take responsibility for that. So I do support
5:25
this motion and I look forward to this coming
5:27
back before council in June so that we can revisit
5:29
this. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand spoke about
5:32
council's role in decision making and the importance
5:34
of municipal politics. We're elected to be decision
5:37
makers that make decisions based on... all of
5:41
the available information and have that be transparent
5:43
to the public. And so, you know, from that point
5:47
of principle, we're principally hamstrung until
5:50
June 9th. And maybe council's decision will be
5:54
to reconsider and to maintain status quo. I won't
5:58
comment on what that will be. That could be.
6:02
But the point is council needs all the information
6:04
available and the public needs that information.
6:07
Municipal politics is incredibly important. It's
6:10
the level of government closest to the public
6:12
and that's never more evident than a chambers
6:17
full of people concerned about what's happening
6:19
in their community and regardless of where anybody
6:22
stands on an individual issue, that's incredibly
6:25
important. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
6:28
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
6:31
North Shore News. Construction of the new pump
6:42
track at Loyalist Park in Amherstview has begun.
6:45
The expected completion date is July 30th. Thanks
6:48
to a confidential donation of $500 ,000, the
6:51
construction of the pump track will not impact
6:53
the Township's budget. It will be developed at
6:55
no cost to Loyalist Township other than staff
6:58
time to oversee it. The entire project, including
7:01
the skate park, is estimated to cost approximately
7:03
$1 million and is being completed in two phases.
7:07
Phase 1 is the construction of the pump track,
7:09
including a skate bowl, while Phase 2 will include
7:11
the completion of the remaining skate park features,
7:14
subject to securing additional funding. Council
7:17
heard a presentation in June of 2025 from New
7:20
Line Skateparks, an engineering firm with expertise
7:22
in skate park construction. Now with approval,
7:25
the company is beginning construction. A public
7:27
consultation process is currently taking place
7:29
on the Township's website. Vice President and
7:32
Director of Business Development with New Line
7:34
Skateparks, Trevor Morgan, spoke about the benefits
7:36
of the skateparks and pump tracks they build
7:38
and the one they're looking to build in Loyalist
7:41
Township. Very integrated, green space, connections
7:45
to pathways, colour, texture, art installations
7:49
that can be very exciting to... Put a signature,
7:53
I guess, of the community within the architecture
7:55
of the park, even through different lighting
7:56
schemes, if that's something that's desired,
7:58
and then accessibility. You're likely to have
8:01
folks from the adaptive community who would like
8:03
to ride this park. So yeah, every park has its
8:06
story, and we hope there's a story to be told
8:08
here for the Township. Morgan noted the potential
8:11
boost in tourism the facility could bring. A
8:14
network of these parks are being created in communities
8:17
across Canada and across Ontario, and... There's
8:20
a large population that will want to experience
8:23
each different unique park and communities and
8:25
they'll purposely travel around, stop in these
8:28
communities, visit, spend money at local businesses,
8:31
maybe even spend a night. I know when I was 12
8:33
years old on the family trip and I was an avid
8:36
skateboarder, I could be very influential to
8:38
spend an extra night in the community if they
8:40
had that one skate park. Morgan spoke about the
8:42
potential of events at the facility as well.
8:44
You're likely to have user groups and community
8:47
groups that will say, hey, we would love to have
8:50
some some level of organized events there that
8:52
could be lessons nights some community -based
8:56
contests and so forth and so we really try to
8:59
design a modern park with that in mind. Councillor
9:03
Paul Prodrick spoke about neighboring communities
9:05
and their skate parks as well as what a new one
9:08
in Amherstview could do for the community. I
9:10
think the closest one to us is Napanee and then
9:13
you go to Picton's got a great site but again
9:15
it's it's probably 20 years old now I think it
9:18
becomes a hub. for gathering and it fits into
9:22
the master recreation plan also an opportunity
9:26
to add something to the community and I think
9:28
we haven't had a recreational facility addition
9:32
in well over I'm going to say 40 years and again
9:35
it's just through the the leadership of a community
9:38
member who wishes to help out in times where
9:41
we don't have a lot of money to do a lot of things
9:44
that we'd like to do. Councillor Jake Ennis spoke
9:46
about the donation and choice of the donor. It's
9:49
a very generous donation. They're very appreciative
9:52
for the donation and I think the donor is chosen
9:57
well. It's an amenity that focuses on youth and
10:02
one that I think will be very well used. Deputy
10:05
Mayor Nathan Townand showed his appreciation
10:07
towards the donor as well as what the project
10:09
will do for youth in the area. It's incredibly
10:12
generous and provides an amazing opportunity
10:15
for us and to appreciate the particular kinds
10:19
of youth that something like this can engage
10:23
based on the whole lifestyle and culture that
10:25
goes with it. Not one I claim to understand.
10:27
I think it's not just, you know, youth engagement
10:32
writ large in some sort of big, broad context.
10:35
This is something quite specific that I think
10:37
will cater to members in our community that otherwise
10:40
don't have a facility like this. I do go by the
10:48
one in Napanee quite regularly and it is a gathering
10:50
place. You see all sorts of demographics and
10:53
ages and different usage of it. So I fully support
10:57
this. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about the progress
10:59
in access to skateboarding facilities and shared
11:02
a story from his youth. I was in my teens on
11:05
probably a $10 skateboard trying to go down the
11:08
largest hill where I lived at the time called
11:11
Big Hill and with blind corners. It's come a
11:14
long way when I was young. I've actually seen
11:17
some of the, like, Maydock. They have a nice
11:20
one there. I remember when they were building
11:23
the first phase and I was kind of like, what
11:26
is going on in there? And now to see it now,
11:30
it's been developed into the whole park is basically
11:33
devoted to this now. And it's packed all the
11:36
time. It is something that is what I believe
11:39
will be well used. And this is a great opportunity,
11:42
I think, for Lilas Township to be able to provide
11:45
another amenity new to the community that will
11:49
be used very well used, I believe, for an extended
11:52
period of time. For Amherst Island Radio and
11:55
the Local Journalism Initiative. I'm Ted Evans.
11:58
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will
12:10
defer discussions on a new ICE allocation policy
12:12
until staff come back with a more refined policy.
12:15
Staffs report noted they did a comprehensive
12:17
review of the existing ICE allocation practices
12:19
to ensure transparent and efficient access to
12:22
Arena ICE for all user groups and to improve
12:24
clarity and consistency of the policy. As part
12:27
of the review, staff conducted a community survey
12:29
and received over 50 responses. Feedback mainly
12:32
surrounded programming, ICE allocation, and maintenance.
12:36
Staff considered historical ICE use, local user
12:38
groups, and the changing needs based on population
12:41
trends. President of the Loyalist Skating Club,
12:44
Jennifer O 'Neill, explains why the policy matters.
12:47
For my family, the rink has never just been a
12:50
facility. It is where I myself learned to skate,
12:53
where my parents watched me from the boards.
12:55
our neighbors met year after year in the stands.
12:58
Now I go to the same place and watch my own children
13:01
learning to skate and obtaining their goals.
13:05
The rink is not simply a place that we go to
13:07
practice, it's a community space and it connects
13:11
generations of loyalist families and this is
13:13
why the policy matters. I do believe that the
13:17
Township has the best of intentions. However,
13:20
intent does not replace policy clarity. And once
13:23
approved, the policy, not intent, will guide
13:26
outcomes. Board member with the Loyalist Township
13:29
Minor Hockey Association, Erin Armitage, speaks
13:32
about the policy and why it's important for the
13:34
association and the skating club. Together, our
13:36
two organizations represent Loyalist Township's
13:39
two primary youth ice users. We support the goal
13:42
of fair, transparent and consistent ICE allocation
13:45
process, a formal policy and defined prime youth
13:49
hours are positive steps that we support. However,
13:52
the current proposal raises significant concerns
13:55
that should be addressed before approval. O 'Neill
13:57
noted her main concern. There are several areas
14:00
where clarity is still lacking, but I want to
14:02
be very clear. The single most important unresolved
14:06
issue for me is the definition and application
14:08
of a community sport organization or CSO. Although
14:13
the CSO definition wording has not changed from
14:15
the previous policy, how it is being used has
14:18
changed significantly. Under the new ICE allocation
14:21
policy, CSO status along with standard of play
14:25
directly determines priority access on prime
14:27
time allocation. As written, the policy allows
14:31
CSOs to be either loyalist -based or regional
14:34
without a clear hierarchy, which creates a real
14:38
risk. In a limited, high -demand ICE environment,
14:41
this ambiguity could allow regional organizations
14:44
to compete directly with loyalist -based community
14:47
organizations for prime youth hours, even though
14:50
loyalist organizations are rooted here in the
14:53
community and serve the community directly. Good
14:57
intentions have been stated, but policy must
15:00
do the protecting. Armitage speaks about priority
15:03
among different user groups. We feel that a few
15:05
of our concerns have not yet been addressed.
15:08
First, transparency. The report references five
15:11
impacted users but does not identify them. There
15:14
are only two community service organizations
15:16
that are based out of Loyalist Township. Loyalist
15:19
Township Minor Hockey and Loyalist Skating Club.
15:22
In their response to our concerns, staff still
15:24
have not identified who the other three organizations
15:27
are. Our concern is that regional user groups
15:30
will be given equal priority in prime youth ICE
15:33
allocation decisions, and if that's the case,
15:36
we want to know what the data is to show participation
15:38
numbers by Loyalist Township residents in those
15:41
organizations. We also feel that staff should
15:44
share which municipalities were consulted and
15:46
how their communities are comparable to Loyalist
15:48
Township. For example, comparing an ice allocation
15:52
policy to Kingston would be inappropriate, whereas
15:54
comparisons with small municipalities with a
15:57
single ice pad would be more meaningful. O 'Neill
16:00
says locals should have the priority. Facilities
16:03
funded by Loyalist residents should first and
16:05
foremost serve Loyalist children, families and
16:08
community organizations. This matters because
16:11
Loyalist -based organizations give back directly
16:14
to the community, not just financially, but socially.
16:17
For those of us who have grown up here and are
16:20
raising our children here, the rink represents
16:22
community, continuity, and belonging, and I ask
16:26
council to protect that. Armitage notes community
16:28
work that the two organizations have done. We
16:31
want to emphasize that Loyalist Township Minor
16:32
Hockey and Loyalist Skating Club are deeply rooted
16:35
organizations in the community. Our players support
16:38
local initiatives like food drives, the Lions
16:41
Club holiday, toy drive, and the hamper program.
16:45
We host games and tournaments that bring hundreds
16:47
of people to Loyalist Township every year. And
16:50
we consistently support local businesses with
16:52
our events, our meetings, and our team activities.
16:55
With Loyalist Figure Skating, we feel that we're
16:57
in a unique position of offering truly local
17:00
youth programming that benefits our community
17:02
in many meaningful ways. At its core, the policy
17:05
has to ensure that our two local organizations
17:08
serving hundreds of loyalist township families
17:10
have reliable access to prime ice and the ability
17:14
to grow with our community need. Councillor Paul
17:16
Proderick explains the importance of getting
17:18
the policy right. First time I ever came to council
17:20
was around 1978 as part of a number of youth
17:24
who were basically the same argument about ice
17:28
time and so on. So I can appreciate the staff
17:31
efforts on this. And again, I'm the one I think
17:33
that asked for this review. And I think it still
17:37
needs to be tightened up. You know, once a policy
17:39
is in place, it's in place. And this goes back
17:41
to all my time in minor hockey. It's hard to
17:44
find out who's got what ice when. And that seems
17:46
I don't understand that, but I'll leave it at
17:48
that. I've got lots of questions, but I think
17:50
this isn't the time and place to be fair to staff
17:53
and move ahead. Councilors Mike Buderich and
17:55
Jake Ennis agreed that the policy needs more
17:58
work. There's a lot of things to be discussed,
18:00
but I think we could just move forward and wait
18:03
for a refined policy to come back. I do think
18:06
this is even this conversation and the feedback
18:09
is a positive step forward. But I agree. I think
18:12
some further consultation is necessary and I
18:16
look forward to that. The revised policy will
18:19
be brought back to council in the spring prior
18:21
to ice allocations for the 2026 -2027 season.
18:25
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
18:28
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
18:31
News. Loyalist Township Council pre -approved
18:42
$900 ,000 in the 2027 capital budget for the
18:46
purchase of a new tanker for the Amherstview
18:48
Fire Station. They will also use nearly $85 ,000
18:51
from the 2026 capital budget for the down payment.
18:54
Council had already approved the purchase of
18:56
a new tanker for the Amherst Island Fire Station
18:58
in the 2026 capital budget and were informed
19:01
the tanker in Amherstview has reached the end
19:03
of its useful life. With fire apparatus costs
19:05
continuing to rise each year, staff noted that
19:08
delaying the purchase would see an increase of
19:10
at least $125 fire chief Kent Reedman s of getting
19:16
pre approval. incurred this year. No ad year
19:21
by the township. Th 25 ,000 plus in next year's
19:31
budget if we can do it this spring, as opposed
19:34
to waiting eight months. There's some significant
19:37
price increases coming down the pipe here, and
19:41
we're just trying to get ahead of it. Councilor
19:43
Mike Bodereck noted the importance of trying
19:45
to save money. I just appreciate that the chief's
19:48
trying to get ahead of this and save us a little
19:49
money, so it's always appreciated with how tight
19:52
times are these days. Councillor Paul Proderick
19:54
showed his support for the pre -approval. A hundred
19:56
thousand is a good savings and given the experiences
20:00
of the last few months. The value of our emergency
20:04
services cannot be measured in dollars and move
20:06
ahead with this as soon as possible. The emergency
20:09
services department looks to order the same tanker
20:11
that was ordered for Amherst Island and remain
20:13
consistent with their fleet for the next 20 to
20:15
25 years. The two old tankers will be sold and
20:18
are expected to generate nearly $75 ,000. This
20:22
will be applied to the fleet reserve for future
20:24
apparatus purchases. For Amherst Island Radio
20:27
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
20:29
Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township
20:41
has two community town hall meetings coming up
20:43
for the spring season. On Thursday, May 21st
20:46
at 6 .30 p .m., a meeting will take place in
20:48
Odessa at the Odessa Municipal Office at 263
20:51
Main Street. On Wednesday, May 27th at 6 .30
20:54
p .m., a meeting will take place on Amherst Island
20:57
at the Amherst Island Fire Hall at 955 Stella
21:00
40 -foot Road. The meetings will provide updates
21:02
on municipal programs and projects. There will
21:05
be opportunities to share ideas, ask questions,
21:07
and engage on projects that are currently open
21:09
for community consultation. For more information,
21:12
visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island Radio
21:15
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
21:18
Evans. This is North Shore News. The Bath Museum
21:30
and Visitor Center are welcoming the community
21:32
back this spring for another season of Culture
21:34
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
21:36
heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
21:39
the series brings together local historians,
21:41
musicians, and researchers who share unique perspectives
21:44
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
21:46
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., Culture Talks
21:49
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
21:51
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
21:54
per person and seating is limited. May 25th,
21:57
singer -songwriter David Archibald brings the
21:59
maritime history of the Great Lakes to life through
22:01
original music from his acclaimed collection,
22:03
Spirit of the Inland Sea. Through storytelling
22:06
and songs, audiences will hear tales of shipwrecks,
22:08
heroic voyages, legendary figures, and the lonely
22:11
lives of lighthouse keepers. Archibald's work
22:13
has been featured in parks across Ontario and
22:15
frequently aired on CBC Radio. June 22nd, local
22:19
historian Lloyd Tarion will deliver an illustrated
22:21
talk examining the opening years of the War of
22:23
1812. Tarian explores the Alliance's personalities
22:27
and decisions that shaped the conflict's early
22:29
course. His presentation provides insight into
22:31
how British, Canadian militia and First Nations
22:34
forces defended Upper Canada during a pivotal
22:36
period. Culture Talks take place at the Bath
22:38
Museum, located at 434 Main Street in Bath. Tickets
22:42
for each talk can be purchased online. For more
22:44
information about Culture Talks and other upcoming
22:46
programs, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island
22:51
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
22:53
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This has
22:58
been North Shore News and Interviews. If you
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have an idea for a story or want to create stories
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