Latest / North Shore News / November 20th, 2025

Transcript

November 20th, 2025 · North Shore News

0:07
Welcome to North Shore News and Interviews on
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Amherst Island Radio. Each week we keep you updated
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on newsworthy events, happenings and conversations
0:17
that we've had with people in the local community
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and beyond. Loyalist Township's latest draft
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budget for 2026 shows a residential rate increase
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of 4 .93%. The Township held its first of three
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budget meetings as they prepare for their 2026
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budget. The draft 2026 operating budget results
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in a Township levy requirement of almost $24
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.6 million. This is a 6 .4 % increase from 2025.
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According to staff's report, the Township experienced
0:49
development in 2025, resulting in assessment
0:52
growth totaling $300 ,000. This growth helped
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reduce the tax rate by 1 .3 % down to the currently
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proposed 4 .93 % increase. The Township's Director
1:02
of Finance and Treasurer, David Clasey, explains
1:04
the increase and notes numbers they'll be gathering
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going forward. When it comes to tax rates, I
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just want to be clear that when we're talking
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about a 4 .93 % tax increase, we're only talking
1:17
about the township portion of a tax bill. And
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of course, there are three components to a tax
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bill, that being one of the components. We then
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have the Lenox and Addington County tax rates,
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which is also makes up part of the bill. And
1:32
we don't have those rates yet. They're generally
1:34
set early in the spring. So once we have those,
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that will be the next component. And then we
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have the education rates that are set by the
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province. this point. They haven't been set yet,
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but they haven't changed in the last two or three
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years, mainly because there hasn't been a reassessment.
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So we're assuming they will probably not change,
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but we don't have that confirmation as of yet.
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So the conversations over the next couple days
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are just about the township portion of that bill.
2:02
And then once we have those other rates confirmed
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in the future, then that'll make up the total
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of the remainder of the bill. Members of the
2:10
committee voiced their concerns about the increase
2:12
and noted they'd like to see it under 4%. Councillor
2:15
Lorna Willis shared her thoughts. I appreciate
2:17
the work the staff have done and I can tell that
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a lot of pencil sharpening was done before this
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budget was brought to us. I still do choke a
2:25
bit at 4 .93 % in a year when people are very
2:30
much struggling just to buy groceries and things
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like that. Though I understand too that we have
2:37
to continue to offer services and follow through
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on all of the master plans that we've done and
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things like that. Councillor Mike Buderich spoke
2:44
about the rate increase and suggested more discussion
2:46
along with more public engagement. Under four
2:49
would be ideal. I think we could, as council,
2:51
could take some time to maybe throw some email
2:53
suggestions back to as we let this sink in. Think
2:58
to the community itself on what they're actually
3:01
looking for and see where we might be able to
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cut. Councillor Carol Park spoke about keeping
3:05
it under 4 % as well. I agree with my colleagues.
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I think coming under 4 % is where we need to
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be. Councillor Paul Proderick noted the difficulty
3:12
in prioritizing items on the budget. Maybe look
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at some of the low priority items that could
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be eliminated because obviously if we have a
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scale and so on, there's going to be some that...
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and I think the problem probably with the low
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priority items are going to be small dollar values
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but maybe if they could go back and look at maybe
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that and maybe a one or two of sort of the medium
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proposals just to get an idea if we can get down
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to that magic number that some of us are talking
3:38
about under four. Mayor Jim Hagedorn noted the
3:40
hard work staff did putting the budget together.
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After talking to staff we realized quickly that
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this is a hard budget to bring forward. There
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have been a lot of increases in costs and trying
3:53
to keep the increase tax rate at a reasonable
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rate did take a lot of work. But the work was
4:01
done. Staff worked very hard to identify areas
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to be able to trim and be able to bring forward
4:08
the budget that they did. Hagedorn noted the
4:11
impact of the township's newly appointed strong
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mayor powers. Strong mayor powers were given
4:16
to Loyalist Township this year. And as a result,
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I did work with staff more than what I normally
4:25
would have during the development of this budget.
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We mostly just to discuss, and also I did provide
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some direction and suggestions where applicable,
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trying to make it as streamlined as possible.
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and with the strong mayor powers, one of the
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things that we wanted to do was keep it as traditional
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as possible while still meeting all of the requirements
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of the legislation. I believe we've done that
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following the typical process the best we can.
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Some of the terminology will be a little different
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with amendments and things like that, but I really
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hope that we are able to have good discussions
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and amendments if needed. Clasy explained removing
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capital projects won't affect the tax rate. If
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there was any of those projects that were the
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council wanted to remove, then that funding would
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stay in the capital reserve and be there for
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future years. So I just wanted to make that clarification
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as there's been a couple of comments about looking
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at capital projects, which we can do, but I just
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want to be clear that that wouldn't necessarily
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have a direct impact on the 4 .93%. Klaisi speaks
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about funding for the WJ Henderson Recreation
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Centre. We have an additional 674 ,000 built
5:39
in for staffing and programming at the Henderson
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Community Centre. And again, that's based on
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the expansion that's gone on there with the arena
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now being operational full time. And it also
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looks at staffing for the pool coming on midway
5:58
through 2026. So while that's a big number in
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staffing, it's also important to note that we
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do have a fair amount of additional revenue coming
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in in terms of user fees and rental fees to offset
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that. So it's not the full hit, but there is
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some definitely investment in that. The draft
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budget also showed an increase of $40 ,000 to
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the Township's Family Physician Recruitment Incentive
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Program to accommodate the signing of two additional
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physicians. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand explains
6:27
staff's next steps going forward. There's a number
6:30
of things staff want to do in the background
6:33
to present to council, well, committee at our
6:37
next meeting. But what would be helpful for staff
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right now is any general thoughts, directions
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from committee of things that people want to
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see, information people would like to see in
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more detail, things that committee would like
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staff to bring back. So general thoughts and
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perceptions so that staff can gear their work
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for our next meeting. Staff will return to council
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with updates at their next budget meeting scheduled
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for November 26th. For Amherst Island Radio and
7:07
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
7:11
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township Council
7:22
heard from Carbon Free Technology, an Ontario
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-based company looking to build a new solar project
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in Millhaven. The company presented plans to
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council noting the project would include a community
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benefits agreement. It would also look to increase
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local tax revenue and contribute to the province's
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grid reliability. The project looks to use up
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to 20 acres of fenced -in land that is over one
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kilometer away from residences. Before moving
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forward, the company is looking to engage with
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the public and local groups. VP and legal for
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the company, Emma Coyle, explain the company's
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next steps going forward. We've begun neighborhood
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canvasing. We have a public meeting on November
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24. The First Nation Partnership, we do have
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the support of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte.
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We don't yet have the official resolution from
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them, but we fully expect for that to be finalized
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on November 26. There will be a staff report
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to council with respect to the project, and on
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December 9th we'll be coming back with a request
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for a municipal support resolution with respect
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to this project. VP in engineering and special
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projects for the company, Meg Edsami, noted the
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different approaches they're taking in community
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engagement. Through the website, we've already
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received a comment or a query and we've engaged
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with that party already and had a few phone calls
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and we've been trying to arrange a longer discussion
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as well. So it might take a few different approaches.
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Carbon Free Technology has projects worldwide
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and has worked on projects locally as well. In
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2015, the company was a development partner to
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Samsung for Kingston Solar. For Amherst Island
8:57
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
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Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The Township
9:26
officially entered into an agreement with Latham
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to recognize their significant donation to the
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W .J. Henderson Revitalization Campaign. The
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gift agreement is for $75 ,000 over a 10 -year
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period. Latham is the largest designer and manufacturer
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of in -ground residential swimming pools in North
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America. The company officially opened its state
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-of -the -art manufacturing facility in Loyalist
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in May of 2023. The plant is the company's largest
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fiberglass facility to date and serves markets
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across Eastern Canada as well as parts of the
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United States. The plant created over a hundred
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jobs locally. Staff noted they were grateful
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that Latham is continuing their investment in
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the region. CAO Rebecca Murphy showed her appreciation.
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We're very grateful for Latham Pools to be sponsoring
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the lap pool, so it will be the Latham Lap Pool
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and we're very excited that our organizations
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in our community are stepping up and being part
10:16
of this. wonderful community center that we're
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building. Councilor Paul Prodereck spoke about
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the significance of the company's donation. We've
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had several meetings with Latham over and tour
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there that appreciate their commitment given
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the current economic downturn I guess I would
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say in many communities and it's every little
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bit helps. Latham will also be recognized in
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a prominent position on the donor wall inside
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the center. For Amherst Island Radio and the
10:42
Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This
10:46
is North Shore News. Township has announced the
10:57
new name for the Aquatic Centre at the W .J.
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Henderson Community Centre. Through a gift agreement
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for naming rights with Barr Homes and a $250
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,000 donation from the company, the space will
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be named the Barr Homes Aquatic Centre. Council
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approved the 10 -year agreement at their latest
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meeting. CAO Rebecca Murphy spoke about the agreement
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with Barr Homes. Barr Homes has agreed to sign
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on, be a major donor in the Tier 3 category,
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to name the Aquatic Centre at... at the facility
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at the WJ. This is very great. We're very gracious
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and very thankful to BAR for stepping up and
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being part of this vital community project and
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we're excited to be naming it. and recommending
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that it be named the bar homes aquatic center.
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The renewal of the entire center has been a large
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ongoing project for the township. The revitalization
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campaign was approved by council on December
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10th 2024 with a goal of raising $2 million.
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The new space will feature an eight lane 25 meter
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pool, a new warm water leisure pool, updates
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to arena infrastructure, enhanced accessibility,
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updated change rooms, green energy upgrades and
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a new indigenous legacy space in partnership
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with the Downey Wenjack Fund. Residents can expect
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to see the new name used in township marketing
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materials. It will be displayed inside on the
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west wall of the space as well as a location
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on the exterior of the building to be agreed
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on at a later date. Barr Homes will also be recognized
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on the donor wall to be located in the atrium
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of the building. Barr Homes has over 70 years
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of history in the construction industry within
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Kingston and the surrounding areas. According
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to the company, they build approximately 60 homes
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annually in Kingston and Loyalist Township. For
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Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
12:33
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
12:36
News. Deputy Mayor of Loyalist Township Nathan
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Townend announced that a town hall meeting scheduled
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for November 12th on Amherst Island will be postponed.
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The new date is tentatively planned for Monday,
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December 8th. While noting residents' concerns
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about the ferry, Townend said there are several
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things in the works right now that will likely
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be greeted as good news, but are not yet finalized
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or are awaiting confirmation. Townend noted one
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of the things in the works is a new pay system
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for the ferry. Out of respect for Island residents,
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Townend noted that a better, more informed discussion
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can be had if staff have more time. Townend also
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noted he'll be available in the meantime for
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questions. For Amherst Island Radio and the Local
13:21
Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is
13:25
North Shore News. Loyalist Township will be accepting
13:36
naming ideas for street names in the area until
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December 31st. The Township's commemorative street
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naming program gives residents the chance to
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put forward suggestions that celebrate the people,
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places, and stories that make the community unique.
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Approved names will be added to the Township's
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road registry for future developments. Learn
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more and submit ideas at Loyalist .ca. For Amherst
13:57
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
14:00
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalists
14:11
Township has announced that their annual holiday
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celebration, Light Up the Season, will be returning
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on Saturday, November 29th from 3pm to 5pm at
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Fairfield Park, 4574 Bath Road in Amherst View.
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Admission and all activities are free and no
14:25
registration is required. This festive family
14:27
-friendly event will include wagon rides, festive
14:30
music, milk and cookies, hot chocolate, marshmallow
14:33
roasting, ornament making and visits with Santa
14:35
and his reindeer. Lights in the park will continue
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to shine nightly until February. Guests are encouraged
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to park at the W .J. Henderson Community Center
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and take advantage of the free shuttle service
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running every 15 minutes, starting at 2 .45 p
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.m. Parking at Fairfield Park is reserved for
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accessible parking only, and parking along Highway
14:52
33 is not permitted. For more information, visit
14:55
loyalist .ca slash events. For Amherst Island
14:58
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
15:01
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Torrent
15:13
Productions is returning to Lennox and Addington
15:15
with their second annual Merry Magical Pantomime.
15:18
This year the company is presenting Jack and
15:20
the Beans Talk, a Merry Magical Pantomime. Shows
15:23
will take place at the hall at Emanuel United
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Church, 63 Factory Street in Odessa. It will
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be premiering Tuesday, December 23rd at 7pm and
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run for 15 shows until January 4th. Established
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in 2008, Torrent Productions is a professional
15:37
theatre company composed of Rob Tor and Stephanie
15:39
Graham. They've developed and produced new musicals
15:41
at the Toronto Fringe Festival and Next Stage
15:43
Theatre Festival in Toronto, as well as an annual
15:45
holiday pantomime in Toronto from 2016 to 2019.
15:49
Both Tor and Graham have extensive theatre credits
15:51
from the Stratford Festival, Charlottetown Festival,
15:54
Neptune Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, Mervish Productions,
15:57
Thousand Islands Playhouse, and many other companies
15:59
across Canada. Most recently, Graham was the
16:02
co -director and choreographer of the sold -out
16:04
run of Mary Poppins at Thousand Islands Playhouse.
16:06
Tor has spent seven seasons as a performer at
16:08
Thousand Islands Playhouse as well as many other
16:10
theatres across the country. For showtimes and
16:13
more information, visit torrentproductions .com.
16:15
T -O -R -R -E -N -T productions dot com. For
16:19
Amherst Island Radio and the Local Journalism
16:22
Initiative, I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore
16:25
News. This has been North Shore News and Interviews.
16:31
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16:41
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