Latest / North Shore News / April 13th, 2026

Transcript

April 13th, 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. CJAI 101 .3 FM North Shore News and
0:28
we are going to go back to a little bit of ice
0:31
stock. And we've got some exciting news for our
0:35
local listening area. Our South Frontenac chapter
0:38
of the Ice Dock Federation is making history
0:41
this summer as the U16, coached by Chris Hammer,
0:46
is going to compete in Austria for the very first
0:49
time at this level. So first of all, Chris, I've
0:52
got Carl here as well, who's taking his team
0:54
to Brazil for the Americas later this summer.
0:57
Let's just talk about this historic moment for
0:59
your sport in our community with the U16. 16th.
1:02
Absolutely, it's a part of history for the Canadian
1:06
Ice Hockey Federation for our club and for a
1:08
team that's under the age of U16 to experience
1:11
heading to the Austrian Alps to play where the
1:14
sport is heavily played in Austria. To be part
1:16
of it, to be part of a European Championship
1:18
is a once -in -a -lifetime experience. Myself,
1:21
I'm going, my two sons, Lucas and Caleb, their
1:24
friend Jayden Caremeans coming out and Preston
1:27
Klein and also his dad, Adam, has been coaching
1:29
with me this year. Adam's family is actually,
1:32
his dad's side is from Germany. So he's kind
1:35
of putting the European spin onto his family
1:36
too, which is really neat. The experience alone
1:39
and getting ready for this and just being part
1:41
of it for these kids is a pretty big highlight.
1:43
Yeah. And it's going to be a heck of a road trip
1:45
too, eh? Absolutely. We've got a long road trip
1:48
to get there, a lot of fundraising, a lot of
1:50
money and the cost of the flights and the hotels
1:52
and a few expenses along the way, as you expect
1:55
traveling across the ocean to the other side
1:57
of the pond there. It comes with the territory,
1:59
you know, but the kids are more We have a good
2:02
backbone here in South Frontenac and the Kingston
2:05
community and we're really looking forward to
2:07
it. And for somebody that is interested in following
2:10
along or maybe helping out to support the cause,
2:14
what's the best way to do that, to get in touch
2:17
with you guys? So they can reach out to the Canadian
2:20
Ice Stock Federation Facebook page. They could
2:22
send us a private message or they can reach out
2:24
to the South Front Knock Star Sport Club, anybody,
2:27
anyone who is there. Facebook is our easiest
2:29
way to reach out. They can send, again, send
2:31
us a private message there. We're looking for
2:34
support or community donations to support the
2:36
youth team themselves to get them over by reaching
2:39
out to actually anybody in the club or myself
2:41
or Carl or the Canadian Stuck Federation president.
2:44
That means we can have a phone call or an email,
2:47
a chat, whatever people want to do. We'll make
2:49
it happen and we can reach out and we'd love
2:52
the support. All right, Chris. Well, certainly
2:54
here all of us at Amherst Island Radio will be
2:56
following along and wishing you well. So good
2:59
luck with the youth 16s in Austria. Dankeschön,
3:02
thank you. And Carl, Brazil. I think of ice stock,
3:07
I do think of it as certainly South Frontenac,
3:10
because that's where I was introduced, but I
3:12
do think of it as Austrian German. So tell us
3:16
about the Americas and Brazil. Is it going to
3:18
be on ice or is it on the asphalt? So they actually,
3:21
it's a special concrete that's got pebble stones
3:27
in it that Basically, the important thing when
3:29
you're not playing on ice is that whether it's
3:32
asphalt or the paverstone is the air pockets.
3:36
In our paverstone lanes in Harrowsmith, every
3:39
grout line, every joint is like an air pocket
3:42
that allows the stock plate to slide efficiently
3:46
across, right? So their lanes are concrete, and
3:50
obviously Brazil doesn't have to worry about
3:52
frost and heaving of things, right? So they can
3:56
use concrete and it's got special petals in it
3:58
and it's quite a beautiful surface to play on.
4:01
I've never been there yet but I've heard all
4:03
about it. And the interesting thing is that Brazil
4:06
kind of gives us a good idea of, I would say
4:10
they're about maybe 10 or 15 years ahead of us.
4:14
Obviously it's a Germanic community in Brazil
4:17
that we're heading to for the America Cup. Gran
4:20
de Sol is sort of a bigger area. And they had
4:25
some Germanic people that had still connections
4:28
over in Germany. And they saw that the sport
4:32
was being played and really thought, well, this
4:35
could be really cool to try to bring back to
4:37
Brazil. And literally that's how it started.
4:39
And I think that was either late 90s or early
4:43
2000s or something like that. And it literally
4:45
started with the idea of a couple of people.
4:48
And here we go to 2026 and Brazil actually When
4:52
we got, you know, we competed last year in the
4:54
world championships and, you know, Brazil is
4:57
in certainly the top five, you know, probably
5:00
around the fourth or fifth in terms of the men's
5:04
and the women now jumped up also to the A division.
5:08
So they haven't basically in 26 years turned
5:11
into a stock nation and they don't even have
5:14
ice. they'll head over a little bit earlier before
5:17
World Championships and just train for maybe
5:20
a week on ice to get their feet on. But outside
5:22
of that, they're training always on their concrete
5:25
lanes. Anyway, so we kind of make history too
5:29
this time around because it's the first time
5:32
that Canada has ever sent two men's teams and
5:35
two women's teams to an America Cup. Usually
5:38
we're just able to send one man and no women.
5:44
we're really pushing it now. And we do have most
5:49
of the team being built upon members from South
5:52
Front ExStock Sport Club this time around. I
5:55
think out of the 16 people, I think 14 are connected
5:58
to our club. So it's, again, another great sort
6:03
of testament to the growth of our club and how
6:06
successful we are in terms of participation.
6:08
We certainly wish you all the best as you embark
6:12
on this historic summer tournament and For more
6:16
information you can go to the South Frontenac
6:21
Stocksport Club on Facebook And you can look
6:24
for their upcoming events including Federation
6:27
event at the Gananoque curling club on April
6:30
the 18th There's a mixed dual event in Harrow
6:33
Smith on May the 2nd June 20th, there's the CISF
6:38
and the South Frontenac Stock Sport Club in Harrow
6:42
Smith. August 15th, there's the Club Tourney
6:45
in Harrow Smith. And one that I've already circled
6:48
on my calendar, October 31st, Halloween, Stock
6:52
Bash at Harrow Smith. For more information, you
6:55
can message them or email them out at southfrontenacstocksportatgmail
7:00
.com. CJAI 101 .3 FM's North Shore News. I'm
7:07
Collin Sundinan. CJAI 101 .3 FM call on Sunday
7:19
night for North Shore News and we're gonna hear
7:22
to talk about the upcoming Canadian Ice Stock
7:26
Federation tournament that's happening in Gananoque
7:29
on Saturday April the 18th and Sunday April 19th
7:35
and here to join us here on North Shore News
7:38
we have the brothers Chris and Carl Hammer who
7:41
are the ones that have introduced me to ice stock.
7:45
And thanks to both of you for joining North Shore
7:48
News. And, you know, Carl, I'll start with you.
7:51
What's going on in Gann this on the 18th, 19th?
7:55
Yeah. So April the 18th and 19th, we have the
7:58
Gannanoque Curling Club ready to go. Actually,
8:02
they have like their last little curling event.
8:04
It's called the swing and sweep. So they spend
8:07
the morning curling, and then if the golf course
8:10
is ready, then they head out in the afternoon
8:12
and do a golf tournament. Once they do that,
8:17
then the curling club becomes an ice stock hall
8:20
for the remainder of the Saturday and into Sunday.
8:24
We established this relationship with the Gann
8:28
Curling Club, I think it was back in 2015 or
8:32
something like that. I think it is 10 years of
8:37
this is our 10th time doing we lost a year because
8:40
of COVID so it's a you know could have been our
8:42
11th year but it's our 10th year doing it and
8:45
the Gann Curling Club has been just absolutely
8:48
great with obviously our sport is not as delicate
8:51
on the ice in terms of how the you know a curling
8:54
stone would run and an ice stock and ice stock
8:57
is just a bit more aggressive with how it you
8:59
know releases from the hand and then when it
9:02
you know hits the ice and then and then and then
9:04
travels you kind of like chip up the ice a little
9:07
bit. And so after we're done, that ice, it's
9:13
done. And it's done for the season. So we're
9:15
able to get in there. We don't have to worry
9:17
about ticking off the ice maker of the curling
9:21
club. And we're able to demonstrate and play
9:24
our sport in a really neat environment. It's
9:26
like a rock star bond spiel, where you just trash
9:29
the ice instead of the hotel room. Exactly. And
9:34
that word, Bon Spiel, believe it or not. So a
9:37
Bon is what we call the lane in German, right?
9:41
The Bon is the lane, and a Spiel means to play.
9:44
So that name, in fact, comes from Germanic sort
9:49
of language there, Bon Spiel. And Chris, I'm
9:52
going to go to you. So anybody that wants to
9:54
come out, you know, tell them what to expect.
9:56
And for those that are new to ice stock, you
9:59
know, how do I get involved? How do you get involved
10:02
with ice stock and what is it? So as you mentioned,
10:05
we'll be down again and people can come and check
10:07
it out. There's obviously the curtain club has
10:09
a bar upstairs. You want to have a nice drink
10:10
or gets a little bit of food. There'll be some
10:12
food there. You can watch from above or come
10:14
down on the ice and take a quick look. And if
10:17
we have time, you can throw a stock. But usually
10:19
once we get. and we're pretty busy, but we usually
10:21
have somebody from the club or from the federation
10:24
that's off the ice that can talk to anybody.
10:26
They come down and ask questions, they can take
10:27
a look at a shot, they can handle it, hold it,
10:30
and we can explain the basics of the game and
10:32
how the rules go and whatnot. just that way to
10:35
come see us basically, or Google or YouTube,
10:38
the Canadian Stock Federation or South Frontenac
10:40
Stocksport Club on YouTube and you'll see all
10:43
of our videos loaded up there and then you get
10:44
a real good example of how the club's been playing
10:48
over the years. Quite a few videos from when
10:49
we first started and then videos of us now in
10:52
Harrow Smith on America's first national stock
10:56
pad that no other Canada, a city or town has,
11:00
you know, that's very unique for Harrowsmith
11:02
to have that spot where we play. Ice stock is
11:05
a sport that is very community based, right?
11:08
It's getting together, it's camaraderie. And
11:10
as you said, the very first and only is in Harrowsmith
11:14
in South Frontenac. And that doesn't happen without
11:17
the community involvement, right? Yeah, like
11:20
there certainly was some political factors happening
11:23
behind the scenes, but probably the number one
11:25
driver was that there was this really unique
11:28
sport that was developing in South Frontenac,
11:31
you know, in the course of at that point, it
11:34
would have been six years. And I think, you know,
11:37
you had us and pickleball that were just these
11:39
new sports coming out that were bringing, you
11:42
know, a different level of excitement. And so
11:44
we have like a an amazing Tim Leproud who works
11:49
for the Township. He's a good visionary like
11:51
he's not afraid to take risks and look when he
11:54
sees like something that looks like it's going
11:56
to have good value for the community. So you
11:58
know like once we got the councillors on board
12:01
and you know to convince them that like look
12:04
this isn't just about a stock sport ad it's also
12:09
about so many other things that this could be
12:11
when it gets covered and it's really interesting
12:14
because I remember, you know, speaking in front
12:17
of the Township Council, South Front Act there,
12:19
and all the different things that I had mentioned
12:22
that it could be has now come to fruition. You
12:25
know, the farmers market, ice rink in the wintertime,
12:29
a place for different organizations just to come
12:31
to assemble to rent and use the facility for
12:34
all sorts of different purposes, right? So it
12:37
was like stock sport that drove it, but it truly
12:40
is a community gem. that so many different groups
12:45
can enjoy. Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April
12:50
19th. Join us. Amherst Island Radio will be there
12:53
and Chris and Carl Hammer is the Canadian Ice
12:56
Stock Federation. It has their year -end rock
13:00
star bond spiel event. That's what I'm calling
13:01
it. And for CJAI North Shore News, I'm calling
13:05
Sunday night. Loyalist Township Council approved
13:17
additional funding to complete the construction
13:19
of the W .J. Henderson Community Centre renewal
13:22
project. Staff's report presented an updated
13:24
business case for the construction and operation
13:27
of the centre. The report reflected a variance
13:29
of over half a million dollars since staff's
13:31
first estimates were presented to council in
13:33
November 2023. Engineering and environment manager
13:36
with the township Luke McDonald talks about the
13:39
original business case staff presented in 2023.
13:42
Back in November 2023, staff brought forward
13:45
the validation report which outlined the scope
13:49
of the WJ project as well as the business case
13:52
which presented the financing. and operational
13:58
costs for the project and future operations of
14:01
the facility. Included in that business case
14:04
were a number of assumptions made about both
14:06
expenses that would be incurred as well as funding
14:10
that would be secured or not. Treasurer and director
14:13
of finance with the Township, David Clasey, breaks
14:15
down the remaining costs and how it may affect
14:17
the Township's tax rate in the future. Since
14:20
the validation report was done, councils received
14:23
the Township's asset management plan. The revised
14:27
amount for yearly amount or impact to the operating
14:31
budget is 737 ,000. The good news is that of
14:38
that 737 ,000, we actually built in 479 ,000
14:44
of that in the 20. 26 operating budget so we
14:48
build we started to build in some of the amount
14:50
for the debt repayment and we also built in a
14:54
Fair -sized chunk of the staffing costs because
14:56
we've already budgeted for at least a half a
14:59
year of operations for the facility. So there
15:05
is a significant portion of that already built
15:06
in. In addition, we'll have the $180 ,000 of
15:10
revenue on top of that coming in for the sponsorship
15:13
revenue. So that really only leaves about $78
15:17
,000, $79 ,000 left to build in, to potentially
15:21
build into the tax rate in $27 ,000, which results
15:24
in about a third of a percent tax increase. Manager
15:26
of Recreation, Parks and Facilities with the
15:28
Township Matthew Sibolsky explains one of the
15:31
larger variants. in the report. Total staffing
15:33
is projected in the revised report for 2027 compared
15:36
to the previous report outlining an increase
15:39
to our staffing model at $535 ,000. Where that
15:44
increase does show up is $12 ,000 for our administrative
15:48
capacities and areas. versus 2026 validation.
15:53
For arena capacities and areas, there is a variance
15:56
or an increase of $223 ,000 versus 2026 validation
16:01
and in our aquatics, we do have a variance of
16:04
$299 ,000 for current projections versus validation.
16:09
Cebulski went on to detail new staffing requirements
16:12
in the aquatic center. Aquatics does drive most
16:14
of this variance. So our updated 2027 operating
16:18
model does reflect some staffing needs that are
16:21
required to safely run a two pool aquatic center.
16:25
Majority of these needs are based in lifeguard
16:28
and instructor coverage, supervision across two
16:32
pools for simultaneous programs, as well as operational
16:35
backfill for training and stat holiday dates.
16:38
McDonald speaks about one of the positive variances
16:40
in the report. The community sport and recreation
16:43
infrastructure fund provided by the province
16:46
of Ontario was not initially projected in the
16:49
original validation report, but the staff has
16:52
secured the nine point approximately nine point
16:56
two million dollars that is included there. So
17:00
obviously that's a large change for the better
17:04
to the township. So that that was excellent news.
17:06
McDonald noted. the future of the centre. At
17:09
the end of the day the facility is going to be
17:12
a beautiful facility. I think everyone is very
17:14
proud of what's being done and it should be reflected
17:19
in the final project outcomes. Councillor Paul
17:21
Broderick spoke about the importance of the variances.
17:24
We've all had housework done and you find the
17:25
surprise behind the drywall. And when you do
17:27
a project like this, it's a little bigger than
17:30
a little surprise behind the drywall. But I know
17:32
staff work to keep that as low as possible. Councillor
17:35
Mike Buderick showed his support for the project.
17:37
Travelling around to different communities to
17:40
see facilities that other municipalities have.
17:42
And this is one to be proud of considering its
17:44
age and the work that has gone into it to to
17:49
keep it what it is. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke
17:51
about the future of the W .J. Henderson Community
17:54
Center. We are taking on a significant project
17:57
for a township this size. We are succeeding.
18:00
We have run into a few extras, but we're going
18:04
to complete it. We're going to be able to enjoy
18:06
it. And I'm thankful that the next generation
18:10
will be able to enjoy it just like we have when
18:12
our forefathers originally built the project.
18:15
For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
18:18
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
18:21
News. Michael turns his attention to Eastern
18:49
Ontario in his new work drawing on extensive
18:52
research along the Highway 401 corridor and incorporating
18:55
elements inspired by real criminal cases. The
18:59
novel also features a unique cultural dimension
19:01
with references to the tragically hip and a contribution
19:05
from the hip's guitarist Rob Baker. 401 to Kingston
19:10
features Falcon Claw Sluice and historian Candice
19:14
Weatherby and former Philly detective John Bones
19:17
Sullivan. The new story takes the pair down the
19:20
401 to Kingston, where the brutal school murder
19:23
pulls them into a dark investigation filled with
19:26
secrets, trauma, and the ghosts of the past.
19:29
If you're a fan of gripping crime fiction with
19:32
psychological depth, today's guest and has a
19:36
story that will pull you in and refuse to let
19:38
go. Michael Cook is here to talk about his brand
19:41
new book, the seventh installment, 401 to Kingston.
19:47
And first of all, Michael, on behalf of Amherst
19:49
Island Radio, welcome to our station. Thanks
19:51
for doing this. Well, I'm so excited to be here.
19:54
And it's funny you started the show with The
19:56
Last American Exit because I mentioned that in
19:59
my book. I also took the last American exit as
20:04
I headed up north from Watertown to the shores
20:09
of the mighty St. Lawrence and then crossed over
20:12
a thousand islands and then took my left on the
20:15
401 heading west to Kingston. I just want to
20:18
talk about the book and obviously you're going
20:20
to be joining us in Kingston on April 14th for
20:25
an exclusive book signing. that's going to take
20:29
place at Novel Idea, 156 Princess Street, Suite
20:33
201. That's going to be at 7 p .m. on April the
20:37
14th. Let's talk about the book. I know this
20:41
is the seventh in the series. This is a psychological
20:43
thriller. It's not pure fiction, though. It is
20:46
fiction, but I do work in some historical figures
20:49
such as serial killers, and I kind of take interest
20:54
in what would it be like if my fictional serial
20:56
killer You know, rub shoulders with a real serial
20:59
killer. What conversations might they have? 401
21:03
to Kingston, the seventh installment. What inspires
21:07
you to keep writing this series in particular?
21:11
I fell in love with my characters and, you know,
21:14
my books take me up to the mean streets of North
21:17
Philadelphia, which is a rough and tumble part
21:19
of Philly. Philadelphians don't call North Philly
21:23
Philly. They call it North Philly because it's
21:27
a beast of its own. Then yeah, my book eventually
21:31
took me up to Montreal with some Montreal characters
21:34
that joined in with my Philly characters. Then
21:37
it just came down to, okay, I want to explore
21:39
more of Canada because I have an affinity for
21:42
Canada growing up near Lake Erie. I'm one of
21:46
the children of the Great Lakes states. As a
21:50
child, we would always go up to Canada, been
21:52
to Toronto. Probably 20 times in my life Montreal
21:57
six times I think I'm up to and when I come up
22:01
to Kingston It'll be my third one week stay in
22:06
the last six months. So I'm pretty excited about
22:08
that You know, I just want to talk a little bit
22:10
about Your characters the main characters Candice
22:13
Wetherby and John Bones Sullivan Like are they
22:17
based on any real cops that you know of or they
22:20
completely made up or a bit of both? amalgamations
22:24
of people I've met before. I compile a dreamcast
22:30
for my books before I start writing the books,
22:34
because I already have the characters kind of
22:36
in my head of what they look like. And then I'll
22:39
look for movie stars, actors, people I've known
22:43
in the past that they remind me of, and I'll
22:47
compile that dreamcast and I'll keep it nearby.
22:50
You mentioned this will be your third time to
22:53
Kingston. What is it about here that not only
22:56
keeps bringing you back, but, you know, you felt
22:59
compelled to write about it? I know when I moved
23:01
away and came back after 25 years, one of the
23:04
first things I did was go to Morrison's because
23:06
it felt like home. It never changed. Even though
23:11
the city of Kingston obviously changed in the
23:13
25 years I was away. I met at one of the meetings
23:16
I had with Chief Scott Fraser. He's the outgoing
23:20
chief. He just left at the end of December at
23:22
the Kingston Police Department. Well, we decided
23:24
that we, instead of at the police department
23:26
where I'd met him several times before and chatted
23:28
with him, along with many, many other personnel
23:32
over at the KPD, we decided that we were gonna
23:35
go to Morrison's right as they were closing.
23:39
Scott knows the owners as I do now. They are
23:41
in the book. They are stars in the book. And
23:46
Scott and I sat in one of the back booths, way
23:48
in the back there. And we just had the whole
23:50
place to ourselves. And it was really, really
23:53
cool. And I'm glad Scott took me there. Otherwise,
23:57
I had heard about Morrison's, but I'm glad that
24:00
I went there because I did. And it's part of
24:04
the fabric of Kingston. I had to include it in
24:07
the book. So in the book, Scott got mad, Chief
24:11
Fraser. I replaced his... his persona with somebody
24:16
else from the KPD. And in the book, John Bone
24:19
Sullivan sits in the back of Morrison's with
24:22
one inspector, Lillian Murdoch, inspector at
24:26
the KPD. So that's my little Morrison's story.
24:30
Very cool. And it's a 401 to Kingston where the
24:34
brutal murder of a beloved school janitor pulls
24:36
them into a mystery that's darker, more personal
24:39
and more psychological than anything they've
24:42
ever faced before. author Michael Cook with his
24:46
new book 401 to Kingston the new thriller for
24:50
fans of crime fiction and the tragically hip
24:53
and of course you can meet Michael on Tuesday
24:56
April the 14th from 7 to 9 p .m. at novel idea
25:00
bookstore 156 Princess Street Kingston where
25:04
you can not only meet Michael but pick up a signed
25:08
copy of his brand new book and you will get a
25:12
chance to read My City, which is a personal piece
25:17
penned by the tragically -hipped Rob Baker. And
25:21
if you want to learn more about 401 to Kingston,
25:24
Michael will be joining me on Colin's Sunday
25:27
Night Show at 7 p .m. on Sunday, April 12th.
25:32
For CJAI 101 .3 FM, I'm Colin Sunday Night and
25:37
you're listening to North Shore News. Join Loyalist
25:48
Township in celebrating Earth Week with three
25:50
community events happening from April 18th to
25:53
25th. April 18th is the community electronic
25:56
waste, battery, food and textile recycling drive.
26:00
From 9 a .m. to 1 p .m. at the Amherst View fire
26:02
station located at 363 Amherst Drive. Township
26:06
staff will be on site at the back of the fire
26:07
station parking lot to help residents unload
26:09
their vehicles and to safely handle electronic
26:12
waste and batteries. For more information about
26:14
accepted electronic waste and safe battery storage
26:17
tips, visit Loylist .ca. Registration for the
26:20
community cleanup takes place Tuesday, April
26:22
7th to Saturday The cleanup period will take
26:26
place during Earth Week, Sunday, April 19th to
26:28
Saturday, April 25th. For more information on
26:31
the 2026 Community Cleanup, visit Loyalist .ca.
26:35
And the next Curbside Giveaway in Loyalist is
26:37
Saturday, April 25th. To participate and be part
26:40
of the Township's Giveaway Day map, visit Loyalist
26:43
.ca. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
26:46
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
26:50
News. Topsy Farms on Amherst Island is inviting
27:02
the community to join them for their shearing
27:04
weekend. April 18th from 9 a .m. to 5 p .m. and
27:07
April 19th from 9 a .m. to 3 p .m. the Topsy
27:10
crew and community will gather for the shearing
27:12
of the main flock of sheep. This is a family
27:15
-friendly event held upstairs in the barn. While
27:17
the event is free donations are accepted and
27:20
spots must be reserved online by participants.
27:23
For more information and to register visit TopsyFarms
27:26
.com For Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
27:30
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
27:33
News. Loyalist Township Council approved an amendment
27:45
to a zoning by -law that will permit the Windsor
27:47
in Amherstview to house an alternative health
27:50
facility and add additional site -specific provisions,
27:52
including more parking. This matter has come
27:55
back to Council multiple times and has now been
27:57
approved. Kingston Health Sciences Centre also
27:59
made a presentation about the facility at the
28:01
meeting. Executive Director for Patient Care
28:03
and Deputy Chief Nursing Executive with Kingston
28:06
Health Sciences Centre, Tom Hart, spoke about
28:08
the feedback they received and the work they've
28:10
done since. Of course, we take our role very
28:13
seriously. And after the council meetings and
28:15
public feedback, we had a KHSC senior leadership
28:18
debrief on the feedback from both the public
28:20
and the council. And we was already taking action
28:22
to try and alleviate some of those concerns.
28:24
So we have engaged a real estate agent to try
28:26
and look for parking options. We've worked with
28:29
the owner of the home to try and arrange a saddle
28:32
shuttle for employees to alleviate some of the
28:35
parking congestion. We've asked that the owner
28:38
of the home commit to having a stop sign prior
28:41
to the sidewalk, which they have committed to
28:44
do. Hart noted the type of activities that go
28:46
on in the building and how their partnership
28:48
with Loyalist Township can move forward. All
28:50
activity within the building is regulated, supervised
28:53
and aligned with provincial health policy and
28:55
the Public Hospitals Act. We have a robust governance,
28:59
safety and operational controls in place. And
29:01
of course, they're subject to continuous monitoring
29:04
and improvement. Our commitment to the community
29:06
and council, KHSC, we have a very long history
29:09
and proud history of collaboration with our municipal
29:11
partners and we are very committed to transparency
29:15
and ongoing dialogue and we respect for the local
29:18
concerns along with our regional health obligations.
29:22
We are certainly open to input on additional
29:25
safeguards and operational adjustments and very
29:27
willing to work with council and the public to
29:29
strengthen. assurances and comfort level. Residents
29:33
came forward again with concerns about on -street
29:35
parking and public safety. It's just kind of
29:38
a concern of being bullied. I don't feel as a
29:42
member of this street that they are equal neighbours
29:46
to us and their initial plea to amend the Residential
29:52
Uses Act and have themselves considered residences
29:58
when it's primarily a temporary facility is I
30:03
think a bad form and bad taste. This small infill
30:08
subdivision of ours has gone through a lot. We
30:12
finally had our developer finish the work and
30:16
there's a lot of problems with that developer.
30:18
Now we have this Windsor thing, we have the school
30:20
ongoing. It's 250 meters of road but seems a
30:24
lot of the development. And a lot of the problems
30:27
are in this one area. And as residents, we are
30:30
constantly being bombarded by this. The Windsor
30:33
had already been housing the alternative health
30:35
facility before they received official approval
30:37
from Council. They will now provide 64 on -site
30:39
parking spaces, an increase of 13 spaces from
30:42
what was initially proposed, and an increase
30:44
of 30 spaces from what exists today. Councillor
30:47
Paul Proderick noted residents' concerns. We've
30:50
had lots of presentations. I think the views
30:53
of the populace along Park are fairly clear.
30:57
The parking issue, the school construction, all
31:02
these different things. It's like the residents
31:06
have been bombarded for X number of years. And
31:10
I'm hoping that we can develop a parking through
31:15
the staff, some kind of parking zoning commitment
31:18
to whatever that alleviates some of that stress.
31:22
and that further down the road when the building
31:24
across the street is finished we might look at
31:28
a more permanent a permanent solution to some
31:33
of the stresses on Park Street because we all
31:35
know when it was built the entrance to the old
31:38
church was there but certainly it was a different
31:40
once a week type thing and having been a member
31:43
of that parish we didn't fill the parking lot
31:45
very often so I can appreciate what the residents
31:48
have said Our hands are tied in terms of legislation,
31:53
Ontario Land Tribunal, and this is the best result
31:57
for the residents, a situation that is challenging
32:02
at best. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand assured
32:05
residents they're doing all that they can. We
32:07
want the public on park to know that we've heard
32:10
them. and that we are doing what we can within
32:14
the limited tool set that we have to try and
32:17
address those concerns meaningfully. Councillor
32:20
Mike Buderich showed his confidence in staff
32:22
coming up with a viable solution. We will have
32:25
an adequate solution proposed by staff, I can
32:29
guarantee that. For Amherst Island Radio and
32:32
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
32:35
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will
32:47
be running a programming pilot through the spring
32:49
and summer as they look to transition the use
32:51
of the Leisure and Activity Center to the W .J.
32:54
Henderson Community Center. Council approved
32:56
a staff recommendation to formally close the
32:58
Leisure and Activity Center as a direct programming
33:00
space on August 1, 2026. Staff's report noted
33:04
the programming pilot will help ensure service
33:06
continuity while improving operational efficiency
33:08
and optimizing the use of township recreation
33:11
assets. With leisure programming, fitness amenities,
33:14
aquatics, library services, and select municipal
33:17
payment services under one roof, staff says it
33:20
offers residents a more convenient, connected,
33:22
and accessible experience. They also noted increased
33:24
public transit access at the W .J. Henderson
33:27
Community Center. The Leisure and Activity Center
33:29
has served as a secondary municipal programming
33:31
space for many years. However, staff's report
33:34
noted its condition, accessibility limitations,
33:36
and operational inefficiencies have increasingly
33:39
challenged its long -term viability. Recent reviews
33:42
and facility condition assessments have identified
33:44
significant capital needs, including HVAC modernization,
33:48
accessibility retrofits, and lifecycle renewal.
33:51
Projected annual operating savings from the service
33:53
consolidation are estimated to be between $55
33:55
,900 and $92 ,000. in recurring cashable sa to
34:01
32 hours per week in st manager of recreation
34:05
par with the township Matthew S the recommendation.
34:10
We did and the asset replacement items that are
34:15
included further additional financial pressures
34:19
that are experienced within the rec FM division.
34:22
We've determined that for the best course of
34:26
action moving forward to remove that pressure
34:29
from our sustainable services moving forward
34:32
is to not segment our services and try to move
34:36
towards. additional savings that would be associated
34:40
with, let's say, delaying potential capital projects.
34:44
Sabolsky spoke about the evaluation process for
34:46
the programming pilot. We do have three pivot
34:49
periods that are built into the trial plan that
34:53
outline if we're not necessarily meeting milestones
34:55
that are anticipated, we will have a review period
34:58
at that point. The goal is to have our residents
35:00
participate that are over at the L. E. C. As
35:02
users participating in the pilot program over
35:05
at the W. J. H. And then there will be a pilot
35:07
evaluation framework that will be asking users,
35:10
instructors as well as staff to all complete.
35:12
Councillor Paul Broderick noted his concerns
35:14
with the programming pilot and staff recommendation.
35:17
My concern is that when you put a hard date on
35:20
something and do a trial run before that, it
35:24
almost looks like the decisions made before the
35:26
trial run. And honestly, I'm having trouble seeing
35:29
a class in that community room, given my experience
35:33
with the facility. Residents who use the Leisure
35:37
and Activity Center regularly brought concerns
35:39
to council, including the size of the space,
35:41
privacy, and the costs associated. The committee
35:44
room at the Henderson Center is... It's quite
35:46
small. I don't personally understand how you
35:49
could fit 16 people in there given the size of
35:53
the exercise requirements. Right now the Henderson
35:55
Center does not have, in my opinion, appropriate
35:59
facilities to run exercise programming. There's
36:03
a bigger picture here and it's not just about
36:05
dollars and cents. Right now, the community that
36:08
participates in the Leisure Center, we're anxious
36:11
because to put an August 1st date and then do
36:15
trial runs through this spring, we've all taken
36:19
a hike over to the W. J. Henderson to see what
36:23
facilities will be available. And it doesn't
36:27
suit what we're providing. And I understand the
36:31
idea of making everything in one building, but
36:34
it looks like There was no consideration done
36:37
to build a leisure facility with fitness components
36:42
to it. We're talking dollars and cents or something
36:46
that we need. You close it down, the building
36:49
is still going to be there. Why are they thinking
36:52
of forcing us into that little room which takes
36:55
16 people? It just doesn't make sense. There's
36:59
a time for dollars and cents. And this is not
37:02
the time for dollars and cents. We're a senior
37:05
center. This is the only thing that we have in
37:07
this area, and it should be kept going. Deputy
37:10
Mayor Nathan Townand addressed concerns. I understand
37:13
the concerns raised by residents, but, you know.
37:18
It's more than simply dollars and cents. The
37:21
dollars and cents are that this township's invested
37:24
nearly $50 million in a recreation facility that
37:28
is part of a recreation master plan to consolidate.
37:32
And change is difficult, but this is the direction
37:35
that we, you know, as a council have chosen.
37:39
And I think we need to follow through with that
37:42
said, I think there needs to be very careful
37:45
attention paid. to the impact of that change
37:49
on the residents who have spoken and provision
37:52
for council to be able to keep touch with them
37:54
and address those concerns how we may following
37:59
the pilot. Sabolsky spoke about how staff are
38:02
addressing concerns as well. We have taken some
38:04
considerations for some assessments regarding
38:07
privacy. requirements at the WJH community room.
38:11
So some of those considerations are for privacy
38:13
screenings, as well as spatial needs for the
38:16
space or for the for the area in the layout.
38:18
There is a capacity of that community room of
38:21
around 60 participants to be in that space for
38:24
general meeting purposes. And we have used a
38:27
formulaic approach to outline our capacities
38:29
that for certain classes would be 12 to 16 in
38:32
capacity, 16 to 20 in other areas, depending
38:35
on programming and specific needs. outside of
38:39
the privacy assessment that would be implemented
38:41
to. let's say upgrade the features of that community
38:44
space to be utilized for a direct programming
38:46
facet. We have looked at a scheduling matrix
38:50
and paradigm regarding additional outlets for
38:54
access. So this would include additional programming
38:57
schedules for early morning programs, afternoon
39:00
programs, evening programs. After staff and council
39:03
weighed in, it was a close three to two vote
39:05
in favor of the recommendation. For Amherst Island
39:08
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
39:11
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The Bath
39:23
Museum and Visitor Center are welcoming the community
39:25
back this spring for another season of Culture
39:27
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
39:30
heritage and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
39:33
the series brings together local historians,
39:35
musicians and researchers who share unique perspectives
39:37
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
39:40
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
39:42
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
39:45
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
39:47
per person and seating is limited. April 27th,
39:50
lifelong collector and local historian Michael
39:52
McKinnon will present highlights from his personal
39:55
collection of historic artifacts, sharing the
39:57
stories behind objects that reflect daily work,
39:59
family life, and baths early years. May 25th,
40:02
singer -songwriter David Archibald brings the
40:05
maritime history of the Great Lakes to life through
40:07
original music from his acclaimed collection,
40:09
Spirit of the Inland Sea. Through storytelling
40:11
and songs, audiences will hear tales of shipwrecks,
40:14
heroic voyages, legendary figures, and the lonely
40:17
lives of lighthouse keepers. Archibald's work
40:19
has been featured in parks across Ontario and
40:21
frequently aired on CBC Radio. June 22nd, local
40:24
historian Lloyd Tarian will deliver an illustrated
40:27
talk examining the opening years of the War of
40:29
1812. Tarian explores the Alliance's personalities
40:32
and decisions that shaped the conflict's early
40:35
course. His presentation provides insight into
40:37
how British, Canadian militia, and First Nations
40:39
forces defended Upper Canada during a pivotal
40:42
period. Culture Talks take place at the Bath
40:44
Museum, located at 434 Main Street in Bath. Tickets
40:48
for each talk can be purchased online. For more
40:50
information about Culture Talks and other upcoming
40:52
programs, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island
40:56
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
40:59
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This has
41:04
been North Shore News and Interviews. If you
41:08
have an idea for a story or want to create stories
41:11
for the show, consider joining our volunteer
41:14
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.