Latest / North Shore News / April 17th, 2026

Transcript

April 17th, 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. The Amherst Island Recreation Association
0:29
had a successful 2025 according to their recent
0:32
presentation. Members of the association shared
0:34
a review of their last year of operations at
0:36
Loyalist Township Council's latest meeting. Chair
0:39
of the association, Chelsea McDonald, spoke about
0:42
the makeup of the association and their last
0:44
year of operations. We have a board of directors
0:48
for our not -for -profit. There are nine directors
0:50
on our board with three executives. We have ten
0:53
volunteers and we have program leaders and helpers.
0:57
This year we were able to have two paid instructors
1:00
provide programs for us. and we were able to
1:03
provide 13 programs in total with a variety of
1:06
participants ranging from 4 to 19 participants
1:09
per program. McDonald detailed their sports -related
1:12
programming. In the past we've done a variety
1:14
of sports -related programs. We find that Zumba
1:18
is a really big popular one with everyone on
1:21
the island, especially young moms and kids come
1:24
out to enjoy that. program and this year we were
1:29
able to find another yoga instructor that was
1:31
able that is actually a community member so someone
1:33
local that's able to come out and provide yoga
1:36
to the community and that was another big accomplishment
1:40
for us because it was a really good program.
1:42
Volleyball has always been really popular with
1:45
the young adults as well as some older adults
1:49
and we find that in the spring we get a higher
1:52
volume with university students coming back to
1:55
play. In the fall we actually changed it to 13
1:59
plus because we had some eager young students
2:02
that wanted to join as well. McDonald spoke about
2:05
new programming in the last year. The newest
2:07
thing we were able to provide for youth this
2:09
year was electronics. We had a lot island resident
2:13
who reached out and wanted to teach robotics
2:17
to the kids. So they had done a little bit in
2:19
the classroom at school, but she really wanted
2:21
to provide a camp. So we worked with her and
2:24
were able to write a four day camp in August
2:27
for kids to learn about robotics. They made some
2:29
really neat Christmas decorations that lit up
2:32
and robots that moved. and it was so successful
2:35
she opted to start an actual club starting in
2:38
September where the kids go twice a month and
2:41
they learn how to do coding and make more robots.
2:46
McDonald noted one of her favorite programs.
2:49
All Ages Sports Night is honestly one of my favorites
2:51
because it's The kids come out to play and we
2:56
do a variety of different sports from soccer
3:00
to volleyball to pickleball to basketball and
3:03
the absolute favorite is dodgeball and every
3:06
week they ask if we can play dodgeball. McDonald
3:08
spoke about programming throughout the winter
3:10
and spring. Winter Walking Club is something
3:11
that we provide to the community in the winter
3:16
months. So from December to April where the community
3:20
has a safe space to walk and to socialize. One
3:23
of my other favorites is youth art. So each spring,
3:26
this is the third year we're doing it. We're
3:28
able to provide a youth workshop for art with
3:31
using local island volunteers to provide these
3:35
classes. Last year we did watercolor and pencil
3:40
drawing and animation. Treasurer for the association
3:43
Mike Walhaut spoke about their finances for the
3:45
year. We're running at a small deficit. We do
3:49
fundraising and we kind of do it as needed, so
3:54
we're making up the difference that way. This
3:56
was our first year as well, so we had to get
3:58
through the accountant and all the not -for -profit
4:02
filing processes that are costly, and we're going
4:06
to look at ways that we can save money and perhaps
4:09
access some grants as well. Councillor Lorna
4:11
Willis shared her experience with the programming
4:13
on Amherst Island. The programming that we get
4:16
to enjoy on the island right now is very special.
4:19
And I was at one of the children's art programs
4:23
the other day. And it's kind of fun to see all
4:27
the kids getting together in the school after
4:29
school voluntarily. For Amherst Island Radio
4:32
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
4:35
Evans. This is North Shore News. CJ AI 101 .3
4:48
FM North Shore news and we are going to go back
4:52
to a little bit of ice stock And we've got some
4:56
exciting news for our local listening area. Our
4:59
South Frontenac chapter of the Ice Dock Federation
5:02
is making history this summer as the U16 coached
5:07
by Chris Hammer is going to compete in Austria
5:10
for the very first time at this level. So first
5:13
of all, Chris, I've got Carl here as well, who's
5:15
taking his team to Brazil for the Americas later
5:18
this summer. Let's just talk about this historic
5:21
moment for your sport in our community with the
5:23
U16. 16th. Absolutely. It's a part of history
5:27
for the federation of the Canadian Ice Hockey
5:29
Federation for our club and for a team that's
5:31
under the age of U16 to experience heading to
5:34
the Austrian Alps to play where the sport is
5:37
heavily played in Austria. To be part of it,
5:39
to be part of a European Championship is a once
5:41
-in -a -lifetime experience. Myself, I'm going,
5:44
my two sons, Lucas and Caleb, their friend Jayden
5:47
Caremeen is coming out and Preston Klein and
5:50
also his dad, Adam, has been coaching with me
5:52
this year. Adam's family is actually, his dad's
5:55
side is from Germany, so he's kind of putting
5:57
the European spin on to his family too, which
5:59
is really neat. The experience alone and getting
6:02
ready for this and just being part of it for
6:04
these kids is a pretty big highlight. Yeah, and
6:06
it's going to be a heck of a road trip too, eh?
6:08
Absolutely. We've got a long road trip to get
6:11
there, a lot of fundraising, a lot of money,
6:13
and the cost of the flights and the hotels and
6:15
a few expenses along the way, as you expect traveling
6:18
across the ocean to the other side of the pond
6:20
there. It comes with the territory, you know,
6:22
but the kids are more We have a good backbone
6:25
here in South Frontenac and the Kingston community,
6:28
and we're really looking forward to it. For somebody
6:31
that is interested in following along or maybe
6:33
helping out to support the cause, what's the
6:36
best way to do that, to get in touch with you
6:40
guys? So they can reach out to the Canadian Ice
6:42
Stock Federation Facebook page. They could send
6:44
us a private message or they can reach out to
6:47
the South Front Knock Star Sport Club, anybody,
6:49
anyone who is there. Facebook is our easiest
6:51
way to reach out. They can send, again, send
6:54
us a private message there. We're looking for
6:56
support or community donations to support the
6:58
youth team themselves to get them over by reaching
7:02
out to actually anybody in the club or myself
7:04
or Carl or the Canadian Stuck Federation president.
7:07
That means we can have a phone call or an email,
7:09
a chat, whatever people want to do. We'll make
7:12
it happen and we can reach out and we'd love
7:14
the support. All right, Chris. Well, certainly
7:16
here, all of us at Amherst Island Radio will
7:18
be following along and wishing you well. So good
7:21
luck with the youth 16s in Austria. Dankeschön,
7:24
thank you. And Carl, Brazil. I think of ice stock,
7:30
I do think of it as certainly South Frontenac,
7:32
because that's where I was introduced, but I
7:34
do think of it as Austrian German. So tell us
7:38
about the Americas and Brazil. Is it going to
7:40
be on ice or is it on the asphalt? So they actually,
7:44
it's a special concrete that's got pebbles, stones
7:49
in it. Basically, the important thing when you're
7:52
not playing on ice is that whether it's asphalt
7:55
or the paverstone is the air pockets. In our
7:59
paverstone lanes in Harrow Smith, every grout
8:02
line, every joint is like an air pocket that
8:05
allows the stock plate to slide efficiently across,
8:09
right? So their lanes are concrete, and obviously
8:13
Brazil doesn't have to worry about frost and
8:16
heaving of things, right? So they can use concrete
8:19
and it's got special pebbles in it and it's quite
8:22
a beautiful surface to play on. I've never been
8:24
there yet, but I've heard all about it. And the
8:26
interesting thing is that Brazil kind of gives
8:30
us a good idea of, I would say they're about
8:33
maybe 10 or 15 years ahead of us. Obviously it's
8:37
a Germanic community in Brazil that we're heading
8:40
to for the America Cup. Grande do Sul is sort
8:44
of a bigger area. And they had some Germanic
8:49
people that had still connections over in Germany.
8:52
And they saw that the sport was being played
8:55
and really thought, well, this could be really
8:57
cool to try to bring back to Brazil. And literally
9:00
that's how it started. And I think that was either
9:03
late 90s or early 2000s or something like that.
9:06
And it literally started with the idea of a couple
9:09
of people. And here we go to 2026 and Brazil
9:13
actually When we got, you know, we competed last
9:16
year in the world championships and, you know,
9:19
Brazil is in certainly the top five, you know,
9:23
probably around the fourth or fifth in terms
9:25
of the men's and the women now jumped up also
9:28
to the A division. So they haven't basically
9:32
in 26 years turned into a stock nation and they
9:35
don't even have ice. they'll head over a little
9:38
bit earlier before World Championships and just
9:41
train for maybe a week on ice to get their feet
9:43
on. But outside of that, they're training always
9:46
on their concrete lanes. Anyway, so we kind of
9:50
make history too this time around because it's
9:53
the first time that Canada has ever sent two
9:56
men's teams and two women's teams to an America
9:59
Cup. Usually, we're just able to send one man
10:03
and no women. we're really pushing it now. And
10:10
we do have most of the team being built upon
10:14
members from South Front ExStock Sport Club this
10:17
time around. I think out of the 16 people, I
10:19
think 14 are connected to our club. So it's,
10:23
again, another great sort of testament to the
10:27
growth of our club and how successful we are
10:29
in terms of participation. We certainly wish
10:32
you all the best as you embark on this historic
10:36
summer tournament and for more information you
10:40
can go to the South Frontenac Stocksport Club
10:44
on Facebook and you can look for their upcoming
10:47
events including Federation event at the Gananoque
10:51
curling club on April the 18th There's a mixed
10:54
dual event in Harrow Smith on May the 2nd June
10:58
20th, there's the CISF and the South Frontenac
11:02
Stock Sport Club in Harrowsmith. August 15th,
11:06
there's the Club Tourney in Harrowsmith. And
11:09
one that I've already circled on my calendar,
11:12
October 31st, Halloween, Stock Bash at Harrowsmith.
11:16
For more information, you can message them or
11:19
email them out at southfrontenacstocksport at
11:22
gmail .com. CJAI 101 .3 FM's North Shore News,
11:29
I'm Colin Sunday night. CJAI 101 .3 FM call on
11:41
Sunday night for North Shore News and we're gonna
11:44
hear to talk about the upcoming a Canadian ice
11:48
stock Federation tournament that's happening
11:50
in Gananoque on Saturday April the 18th and Sunday
11:56
April 19th and Here to join us here on North
12:00
Shore News. We have the brothers Chris and Carl
12:03
Hammer who are The ones that have introduced
12:06
me to ice stock and thanks to both of you for
12:09
joining North Shore News. And, you know, Carl,
12:12
I'll start with you. What's going on in Gann
12:15
this on the 18th, 19th? Yeah, so April the 18th
12:19
and 19th, we have the Gannanoque Curling Club
12:22
ready to go. Actually, they have like their last
12:25
little curling event. It's called the swing and
12:28
sweep. So they spend the morning curling, and
12:31
then if the golf course is ready, then they head
12:34
out in the afternoon and do a golf tournament.
12:37
And once they do that, then the curling club
12:41
becomes an ice stock hall for the remainder of
12:44
the Saturday and into Sunday. We established
12:47
this relationship with the Gann Curling Club,
12:51
I think it was back in 2015 or something like
12:55
that. So I think it is 10 years of this is our
13:00
10th time doing we lost a year because of COVID
13:03
so it's a you know could have been our 11th year
13:05
but it's our 10th year doing it and the Gann
13:08
Curling Club has been just absolutely great with
13:10
obviously our sport is not as delicate on the
13:14
ice in terms of how the you know a curling stone
13:17
would run and an ice stock and ice stock is just
13:19
a bit more aggressive with how it you know releases
13:22
from the hand and then when it you know hits
13:24
the ice and then and then and then travels you
13:27
kind of like chip up the ice a little, you know,
13:30
a little bit. And so, you know, after, after
13:33
we're done, that ice is it's it's done and it's
13:36
done for the season. So we're able to get in
13:38
there. We don't have to worry about the, you
13:40
know, ticking off the ice maker of the curling
13:43
club. And we're able to demonstrate and play
13:46
our sport in a really neat environment. It's
13:49
like a rock star bond spiel where you just trash
13:51
the ice instead of the hotel room. Exactly, and
13:56
that word, Bannspiel, believe it or not, so a
13:59
Bann is what we call the lane in German, right?
14:03
The Bann is the lane and the Spiel means to play.
14:06
So that name, in fact, comes from Germanic sort
14:11
of language there, Bannspiel. And Chris, I'm
14:14
going to go to you. So anybody that wants to
14:16
come out, you know, tell them what to expect.
14:19
And for those that are new to ice stock, you
14:21
know, how do I get involved? How do you get involved
14:24
with ice stock and what is it? So, as you mentioned,
14:27
we'll be down again and people can come and check
14:29
it out. There's obviously the Kerding club has
14:31
a bar upstairs. You want to have a nice drink
14:33
or gets a little bit of food. There'll be some
14:35
food there. You can watch from above or come
14:37
down in the ice and take a quick look. And if
14:39
we have time, you can throw a stock. But usually
14:41
once we get and we're pretty busy but we usually
14:44
have somebody from the club or from the federation
14:46
that's off the ice that can talk to anybody and
14:48
they come down and ask questions they can take
14:50
a look at a stock they can handle it hold it
14:52
and we can explain the basics of the game and
14:54
how the rules go and whatnot so just that way
14:57
to come see us basically or google or youtube
15:00
uh the kajak federation or south frontenac stock
15:03
sport club on youtube and you'll see all of our
15:05
videos loaded up there and then you get a real
15:07
good example of uh how the club's been playing
15:10
over the years quite a few videos from when we
15:12
first started and then videos of us now in harrow
15:14
smith on uh america's first national stock pad
15:19
that no other Canada city or town has you know,
15:23
that's very unique for Harold Smith to have that
15:25
spot where we play Ice stock is a sport that
15:28
is very community based right? It's getting together
15:31
its camaraderie and as you said the very first
15:34
and only is in Harold Smith in South Frontenac
15:37
and that doesn't happen without community involvement,
15:41
right? Yeah, like there certainly was some political
15:44
factors happening behind the scenes, but probably
15:47
the number one driver was that there was this
15:49
really unique sport that was developing in South
15:53
Frontenac, you know, in the course of at that
15:56
point, it would have been six years. And I think,
15:59
you know, you had us and pickleball that where
16:01
there's just these new sports coming out that
16:03
we're bringing, you know, a different level of
16:05
excitement. And so we have like a an amazing
16:09
Tim LaProud who works for the Township. He's
16:12
a good visionary, like he's not afraid to take
16:14
risks and look when he sees like something that
16:18
looks like it's going to have good value for
16:19
the community. So you know like once we got the
16:22
councillors on board and you know to convince
16:25
them that like look this isn't just about a stock
16:28
sport ad, it's also about so many other things
16:32
that this could be when it gets covered and it's
16:36
really interesting because I remember, you know,
16:38
speaking in front of the Township Council South
16:41
Front Act there, and all the different things
16:43
that I had mentioned that it could be has now
16:46
come to fruition. You know, the farmers market,
16:49
ice rink in the wintertime, a place for different
16:52
organizations just to come to assemble to rent
16:55
and use the facility for all sorts of different
16:57
purposes, right? So it was like stock sport that
17:01
drove it, but it truly is a community gem. that
17:05
so many different groups can enjoy. Saturday,
17:09
April 18th and Sunday, April 19th. Join us. Amherst
17:14
Island Radio will be there. And Chris and Carl
17:17
Hammer is the Canadian Ice Stock Federation.
17:20
Has their year -end rock star bond spiel event.
17:23
That's what I'm calling it. And for CJAI North
17:26
Shore News, I'm calling Sunday night. Loyalist
17:39
Township Council approved additional funding
17:40
to complete the construction of the W .J. Henderson
17:43
Community Centre renewal project. Staff's report
17:46
presented an updated business case for the construction
17:48
and operation of the centre. The report reflected
17:51
a variance of over half a million dollars since
17:53
staff's first estimates were presented to council
17:55
in November 2023. Engineering and Environment
17:58
Manager with the Township Luke McDonald talks
18:01
about the original business case staff presented
18:03
in 2023. Back in November 2023, staff brought
18:07
forward the validation report which outlined
18:10
the scope of the WJ project as well as the business
18:14
case which presented the financing. and operational
18:20
costs for the project and future operations of
18:24
the facility included in that business case where
18:26
a number of assumptions made about both expenses
18:29
that would be incurred as well as funding that
18:32
would be secured or not. Treasurer and director
18:35
of finance with the Township, David Clasey, breaks
18:38
down the remaining costs and how it may affect
18:40
the Township's tax rate in the future. Since
18:42
the validation report was done, councils received
18:45
the Township's asset management plan. The revised
18:49
amount for yearly amount or impact to the operating
18:53
budget is $737 ,000. The good news is that Of
19:00
that 737 ,000, we actually built in 479 ,000
19:06
of that in the 2026 operating budget. So we started
19:11
to build in some of the amount for the debt repayment,
19:14
and we also built in a fair -sized chunk of the
19:18
staffing costs because we've already budgeted
19:20
for at least a half a year of operations for
19:25
the facility. There is a significant portion
19:28
of that already built in. In addition, we'll
19:30
have the $180 ,000 of revenue on top of that
19:34
coming in for the sponsorship revenue. So that
19:37
really only leaves about $78 ,000, $79 ,000 left
19:41
to build in. to potentially build into the tax
19:44
rate in 27, which results in about a third of
19:47
a percent tax increase. Manager of Recreation,
19:50
Parks and Facilities with the Township, Matthew
19:51
Sobalski, explains one of the larger variances
19:54
in the report. Total staffing is projected in
19:57
the revised report for 2027 compared to the previous
19:59
report outlining an increase to our staffing
20:02
model at $535 ,000. Where that increase does
20:07
show up is $12 ,000 for our administrative capacities
20:11
and areas versus 2026 validation. For arena capacities
20:16
and areas, there is a variance or an increase
20:19
of $223 ,000 versus 2026 validation. And in our
20:24
aquatics, we do have a variance of $299 ,000
20:28
for current projections versus validation. Cebulski
20:32
went on to detail new staffing requirements in
20:35
the Aquatic Center. Aquatics does drive most
20:37
of this variance. So our updated 2027 operating
20:40
model does reflect some staffing needs that are
20:44
required to safely run a two pool aquatic center.
20:47
Majority of these needs are based in lifeguard
20:50
and instructor coverage, supervision across two
20:54
pools for simultaneous programs, as well as operational
20:57
backfill for training and stat holiday dates.
21:00
McDonald's speaks about one of the positive variances
21:02
in the report. The community sport and recreation
21:06
infrastructure fund provided by the province
21:08
of Ontario was not initially projected in the
21:11
original validation report, but the staff has
21:14
secured the nine point. approximately $9 .2 million
21:19
that is included there. So obviously that's a
21:23
large change for the better to the township.
21:27
So that was excellent news. McDonald noted the
21:30
future of the centre. At the end of the day,
21:32
the facility is going to be a beautiful facility.
21:35
I think everyone is very proud of what's being
21:38
done and it should be reflected in the final
21:41
project outcomes. Councillor Paul Broderick spoke
21:44
about the importance of the variances. We've
21:46
all had housework done and you find the surprise
21:48
behind the drywall. And when you do a project
21:50
like this, it's a little bigger than a little
21:52
surprise behind the drywall. But I know staff
21:54
work to keep that as low as possible. Councillor
21:57
Mike Buderick showed his support for the project.
22:00
Travelling around to different communities to
22:02
see facilities that other municipalities have.
22:05
This is one to be proud of considering its age
22:07
and the work that has gone into it to to keep
22:11
it what it is. Mayor Jim Hagedorn spoke about
22:14
the future of the W .J. Henderson Community Center.
22:17
We are taking on a significant project for a
22:20
township this size. We are succeeding. We have
22:23
run into a few extras, but we're going to complete
22:27
it. We're going to be able to enjoy it. And I'm
22:29
thankful that the next generation will be able
22:32
to enjoy it just like we have when our forefathers
22:36
originally built the project. For Amherst Island
22:38
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
22:41
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Join Loyalist
22:54
Township in celebrating Earth Week with three
22:56
community events happening from April 18th to
22:59
25th. April 18th is the community electronic
23:02
waste, battery, food and textile recycling drive.
23:06
From 9am to 1pm at the Amherst View fire station
23:08
located at 363 Amherst Drive. Township staff
23:12
will be on site at the back of the fire station
23:14
parking lot to help residents unload their vehicles
23:16
and to safely handle electronic waste and batteries.
23:19
For more information about accepted electronic
23:21
waste and safe battery storage tips, visit Loylist
23:24
.ca. Registration for the community cleanup takes
23:27
place Tuesday, April 7th to Saturday The cleanup
23:31
period will take place during Earth Week, Sunday,
23:33
April 19th to Saturday, April 25th. For more
23:36
information on the 2026 community cleanup, visit
23:39
Loyalist .ca. And the next curbside giveaway
23:42
in Loyalist is Saturday, April 25th. To participate
23:45
and be part of the township's giveaway day map,
23:48
visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island Radio
23:51
and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted
23:54
Evans. This is North Shore News. Topsy Farms
24:06
on Amherst Island is inviting the community to
24:09
join them for their shearing weekend. April 18th
24:12
from 9 a .m. to 5 p .m. and April 19th from 9
24:14
a .m. to 3 p .m. the Topsy crew and community
24:17
will gather for the shearing of the main flock
24:19
of sheep. This is a family -friendly event held
24:21
upstairs in the barn. While the event is free
24:24
donations are accepted and spots must be reserved
24:27
online by participants. For more information
24:29
and to register visit TopsyFarms .com For Amherst
24:33
Island Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative,
24:36
I'm Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. Loyalist
24:49
Township Council approved an amendment to a zoning
24:51
bylaw that will permit the Windsor in Amherstview
24:54
to house an alternative health facility and add
24:57
additional site -specific provisions, including
24:59
more parking. This matter has come back to Council
25:01
multiple times and has now been approved. Kingston
25:04
Health Sciences Centre also made a presentation
25:06
about the facility at the meeting. Executive
25:08
Director for Patient Care and Deputy Chief Nursing
25:11
Executive with Kingston Health Sciences Centre,
25:13
Tom Hart, spoke about the feedback they received
25:15
and the work they've done since. Of course, we
25:17
take our role very seriously. And after the council
25:21
meetings and public feedback, we had a KHSC senior
25:23
leadership debrief on the feedback from both
25:25
the public and the council. And we were already
25:27
taking action to try and alleviate some of those
25:29
concerns. So we have engaged a real estate agent
25:32
to try and look for parking options. We've worked
25:35
with the owner of the home to try and arrange
25:38
a saddle shuttle for employees to alleviate some
25:40
of the parking congestion. We've asked that the
25:43
owner of the home commit to having a stop sign
25:46
prior to the sidewalk, which they have committed
25:49
to do. Hart noted the type of activities that
25:51
go on in the building and how their partnership
25:54
with Loyalist Township can move forward. All
25:56
activity within the building is regulated, supervised
25:59
and aligned with provincial health policy and
26:01
the Public Hospitals Act. We have a robust governance,
26:04
safety and operational controls in place. And
26:07
of course, they're subject to continuous monitoring
26:10
and improvement. Our commitment to the Community
26:12
and Council, KHSC, we have a very long history
26:15
and proud history of collaboration with our municipal
26:17
partners and we are very committed to transparency
26:21
and ongoing dialogue and we respect for the local
26:24
concerns along with our regional health obligations.
26:28
We are certainly open to input on additional
26:31
safeguards and operational adjustments and very
26:33
willing to work with council and the public to
26:35
strengthen assurances and comfort level. Residents
26:38
came forward again with concerns about on -street
26:41
parking and public safety. It's just kind of
26:43
a concern of being bullied. I don't feel as a
26:48
a member of the street that they are equal neighbors
26:52
to us and their initial plea to amend the Residential
26:58
Uses Act and have themselves considered residences
27:03
when it's primarily a temporary facility is,
27:08
I think, bad form and bad taste. This small infill
27:14
subdivision of ours has gone through a lot. We
27:18
finally had our developer finish the work, and
27:22
there's a lot of problems with that developer.
27:24
Now we have this Windsor thing, we have the school
27:25
ongoing. It's 250 meters of road, but it seems
27:29
a lot of the development and a lot of the problems
27:32
are in this one area. And as residents, we are
27:36
constantly being bombarded by this. The Windsor
27:39
had already been housing the alternative health
27:40
facility before they received official approval
27:43
from council. They will now provide 64 on -site
27:45
parking spaces, an increase of 13 spaces from
27:48
what was initially proposed, and an increase
27:50
of 30 spaces from what exists today. Councillor
27:53
Paul Proderick noted residents' concerns. We've
27:56
had lots of presentations. I think the views
27:59
of the populace along Park are fairly clear.
28:03
The parking issue, the school construction, all
28:08
these different things. It's like the residents
28:12
have been bombarded for X number of years and
28:16
I'm hoping that we can develop a parking through
28:21
the staff some kind of parking zoning commitment
28:24
to whatever that alleviates some of that stress
28:27
and that further down the road when the building
28:30
across the street is finished we might look at
28:34
a more permanent a permanent solution to some
28:38
of the stresses on Park Street, because we all
28:40
know when it was built. The entrance to the old
28:43
church was there, but certainly it was a different
28:46
once a week type thing. And having been a member
28:49
of that parish, we didn't fill the parking lot
28:51
very often. So I can appreciate what the residents
28:54
have said. Our hands are tied in terms of legislation,
28:59
Ontario Land Tribunal. And this is the best result
29:03
of for the residents, a situation that is challenging
29:08
at best. Deputy Mayor Nathan Townand assured
29:10
residents they're doing all that they can. We
29:13
want the public on park to know that we've heard
29:16
them. and that we are doing what we can within
29:20
the limited tool set that we have to try and
29:23
address those concerns meaningfully. Councillor
29:26
Mike Buderich showed his confidence in staff
29:28
coming up with a viable solution. We will have
29:31
an adequate solution proposed by staff, I can
29:35
guarantee that. For Amherst Island Radio and
29:38
the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm Ted Evans.
29:41
This is North Shore News. Loyalist Township will
29:53
be running a programming pilot through the spring
29:55
and summer as they look to transition the use
29:57
of the Leisure and Activity Center to the W .J.
29:59
Henderson Community Center. Council approved
30:02
a staff recommendation to formally close the
30:03
Leisure and Activity Center as a direct programming
30:06
space on August 1, 2026. Staff's report noted
30:10
the programming pilot will help ensure service
30:12
continuity while improving operational efficiency
30:14
and optimizing the use of township recreation
30:17
assets. With leisure programming, fitness amenities,
30:20
aquatics, library services, and select municipal
30:23
payment services under one roof, staff says it
30:25
offers residents a more convenient, connected,
30:28
and accessible experience. They also noted increased
30:30
public transit access at the W .J. Henderson
30:33
Community Center. The Leisure and Activity Center
30:35
has served as a secondary municipal programming
30:37
space for many years. However, staff's report
30:39
noted its condition, accessibility limitations,
30:42
and operational inefficiencies have increasingly
30:45
challenged its long -term viability. Recent reviews
30:47
and facility condition assessments have identified
30:50
significant capital needs including HVAC modernization,
30:54
accessibility retrofits, and lifecycle renewal.
30:56
Projected annual operating savings from the service
30:59
consolidation are estimated to be between $55
31:01
,900 and $92 ,000. $2 ,600 in recurring cashi
31:06
28 to 32 hours per week i Manager of recreation
31:11
par with the township Matthew the recommendation.
31:15
We did and the asset replacement items that are
31:20
included further additional financial pressures
31:25
that are experienced within the rec FM division.
31:28
We've determined that for the best course of
31:32
action moving forward to remove that pressure
31:34
from our sustainable services moving forward
31:38
is to not segment our services and try to move
31:41
towards. additional savings that would be associated
31:46
with, let's say, delaying potential capital projects.
31:50
Sabolsky spoke about the evaluation process for
31:52
the programming pilot. We do have three pivot
31:55
periods that are built into the trial plan that
31:58
outline, if we're not necessarily meeting milestones
32:01
that are anticipated, we will have a review period
32:04
at that point. The goal is to have our residents
32:06
participate that are over at the LEC as users
32:09
participating in the pilot program over at the
32:11
WJH. And then there will be a pilot evaluation
32:14
framework that will be asking users, instructors,
32:17
as well as staff to all complete. Councillor
32:19
Paul Broderick noted his concerns with the programming
32:21
pilot and staff recommendation. My concern is
32:24
that when you put a hard date on something and
32:26
do a trial run before that, it almost looks like
32:30
the decision is made before the trial run. And
32:33
honestly, I'm having trouble seeing a class in
32:36
that community room, given my experience with
32:39
the. the facility. Residents who use the Leisure
32:42
and Activity Center regularly brought concerns
32:45
to council including the size of the space, privacy,
32:48
and the costs associated. The committee room
32:50
at the Henderson Center is quite small. I don't
32:54
personally understand how you could fit 16 people
32:56
in there given the size of the exercise requirements.
33:00
Right now the Henderson Center does not have,
33:03
in my opinion, appropriate facilities to run
33:06
exercise programming. There's a bigger picture
33:09
here and it's not just about dollars and cents.
33:12
Right now the community that participates in
33:15
the Leisure Centre, we're anxious because to
33:18
put an August 1st date and then do trial runs
33:22
through this spring, we've all taken a hike over
33:25
to the WJ Henderson to see what facilities will
33:29
be available and it doesn't suit what we're providing.
33:35
And I understand the idea of making everything
33:38
in one building, but it looks like there was
33:41
no consideration done to build a leisure facility
33:46
with fitness components to it. We're talking
33:49
dollars and cents or something that we need.
33:53
You close it down, the building is still going
33:55
to be there. Why are they thinking of forcing
33:58
us into that little room which takes 16 people?
34:02
It just doesn't make sense. There's a time for
34:05
dollars and cents, and this is not the time for
34:09
dollars and cents. We're a senior center. This
34:12
is the only thing that we have in this area,
34:14
and it should be kept going. Deputy Mayor Nathan
34:17
Townand addressed concerns. I understand the
34:19
concerns raised by residents, but, you know.
34:24
It's more than simply dollars and cents. The
34:27
dollars and cents are that this township's invested
34:30
nearly $50 million in a recreation facility that
34:34
is part of a recreation master plan to consolidate.
34:38
And change is difficult, but this is the direction
34:41
that we as a council have chosen. And I think
34:46
we need to follow through with that said, I think
34:49
there needs to be very careful attention paid.
34:52
to the impacts of that change on the residents
34:56
who have spoken and provision for council to
34:58
be able to keep touch with them and address those
35:02
concerns how we may following the pilot. Sabolsky
35:06
spoke about how staff are addressing concerns
35:08
as well. We have taken some considerations for
35:11
some assessments regarding privacy. requirements
35:14
at the WJH community room. So some of those considerations
35:18
are for privacy screenings, as well as spatial
35:21
needs for the space or for the for the area in
35:23
the layout. There is a capacity of that community
35:26
room of around 60 participants to be in that
35:29
space for general meeting purposes. And we have
35:32
used a formulaic approach to outline our capacities
35:35
that for certain classes would be 12 to 16 in
35:38
capacity, 16 to 20 in other areas, depending
35:41
on programming and specific needs. Outside of
35:45
the privacy assessment that would be implemented
35:47
to, let's say, upgrade the features of that community
35:50
space to be utilized for a direct programming
35:52
facet. We have looked at a scheduling matrix
35:56
and paradigm regarding additional outlets for
36:00
access. So this would include additional programming
36:03
schedules for early morning programs, afternoon
36:06
programs, evening programs. After staff and council
36:09
weighed in, it was a close three to two vote
36:11
in favor of the recommendation. For Amherst Island
36:14
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
36:17
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. The Bath
36:29
Museum and Visitor Center are welcoming the community
36:31
back this spring for another season of Culture
36:33
Talks, a speaker series celebrating history,
36:36
heritage, and storytelling. Hosted at the museum,
36:38
the series brings together local historians,
36:40
musicians, and researchers who share unique perspectives
36:43
on the region's history. Held on the third Monday
36:45
of the month from 6 to 7 p .m., culture talks
36:48
offer an opportunity to explore fascinating cultural
36:50
topics in an intimate setting. Tickets are $5
36:53
per person and seating is limited. April 27th,
36:56
lifelong collector and local historian Michael
36:58
McKinnon will present highlights from his personal
37:00
collection of historic artifacts, sharing the
37:03
stories behind objects that reflect daily work,
37:05
family life, and baths early years. May 25th,
37:08
singer -songwriter David Archibald brings the
37:10
maritime history of the Great Lakes to life through
37:13
original music from his acclaimed collection,
37:15
Spirit of the Inland Sea. Through storytelling
37:17
and songs, audiences will hear tales of shipwrecks,
37:20
heroic voyages, legendary figures, and the lonely
37:23
lives of lighthouse keepers. Archibald's work
37:25
has been featured in parks across Ontario and
37:27
frequently aired on CBC Radio. June 22nd, local
37:30
historian Lloyd Tarian will deliver an illustrated
37:33
talk examining the opening years of the War of
37:35
1812. Tarian explores the Alliance's personalities
37:38
and decisions that shaped the conflict's early
37:40
course. His presentation provides insight into
37:43
how British, Canadian militia and First Nations
37:45
forces defended Upper Canada during a pivotal
37:48
period. Culture Talks take place at the Bath
37:50
Museum, located at 434 Main Street in Bath. Tickets
37:53
for each talk can be purchased online. For more
37:56
information about Culture Talks and other upcoming
37:58
programs, visit Loyalist .ca. For Amherst Island
38:02
Radio and the Local Journalism Initiative, I'm
38:05
Ted Evans. This is North Shore News. This has
38:10
been North Shore News and Interviews. If you
38:13
have an idea for a story or want to create stories
38:17
for the show, consider joining our volunteer
38:20
team. Contact Amherst Island Radio for more details.