FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Several weeks have passed since Council made the decision to close the Wellesley Arena for the 2019/2020 winter season. Since that announcement there has been a considerable amount of discussion and questions. Rumours have been rampant about this topic. Below you will find a few frequently asked questions and the real answers to those questions. More FAQ will be posted as we move through the planning stages of a potential new facility for the Township
Update - November 6, 2019
| Q. What is the status of the roof repair at the Wellesley Arena? |
| A. The roof repair has been completed. The repair consisted of removing all solar panels from the roof in order to access the roof surface directly. The roof was then pressure washed to remove any loose coatings from previous applications. A primer was then applied prior to applying a highly flexible rubber membrane which was then covered with a UV stabilized coating to protect the membrane from the sun. The solar panels will be re-installed by the solar company when they are able to do so.
The Township’s engineers are satisfied that this repair will alleviate the previous issues with water and saturation thereby extending the life of the roof short term. Annual inspections will be carried out on the roof by the engineers. |
| Q. Why is a fundraising feasibility study being done? |
| A. The Township is undertaking a fundraising feasibility study in conjunction with preparing the application for federal and provincial funding for a new recreation centre. The feasibility study will provide Council with a good understanding of the anticipated amount of fundraising that could be achieved in the community. This information will allow Council to make an informed decision by better understanding the potential tax base impact of a new facility. Fundraising dollars directly offset the amount of funding required form the municipal tax base. |
| Q. What is the status of the federal and provincial funding application? |
| A. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) opened for applications on September 3rd, 2019 for the Community, Culture and Recreation Stream. The application window will close on November 12th, 2019. The Township is nearing completion of our application and presented a report to Council at the November 5th, 2019 Council meeting. At that meeting, Council decided to proceed with submitting the application based on the overall project budget of $22,000,000.00. For the ICIP application, a resolution is required from Council to fund the municipal share of 26.67% of the project or $5,876,400.00. This municipal share would be funded through tax dollars which would be offset by fundraising dollars.
There is no guarantee of receiving any federal or provincial funding for this project. According to information received from the province, staff believe our application is strong. Factors that strengthen our application include:
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| Q. What amenities will be included in the application? |
A. Based on the ICIP criteria, community input, and staff recommendation, Council agreed to include the following in the application for funding:
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| Q. What is the estimated cost of developing the new Recreation Centre? |
| A. Township staff recommended an overall budget to develop the Wellesley Township Recreation Centre of $22,000,000.00. This budget is expected to cover all of the amenities listed above. If the funding application is approved, the cost to the municipality for this budget would be $5,876,400.00 which would be funded by fundraising and tax base.
If the application is not successful, staff will look at alternative options for developing the park. |
| Q. How would the tax rates be impacted if this project moves forward? |
| A. The municipal share of this project would be $5,876,400.00. Any amount of fundraising would go directly towards this municipal share. Early results from the fundraising feasibility study indicate a target of $2,500,000.00 – 3,000,000.00 can be raised in the community. Assuming a debenture (loan) of $3,000,000.00 would be required to fund the portion of the municipal share not achieved through fundraising at an interest rate of 2.75% (today’s rate for a 20 year debenture) the annual tax impact to the average home in the Township would be approximately $47.00.
Total Project Cost $ 22,000,000.00 Less Federal/Provincial Grant (73.33%) $ 16,132,600.00 Less estimated fundraising $ 2,876,400.00 Remaining balance to be funded by tax base $ 3,000.000.00 (This equates to an annual tax increase of approximately $47.00 per year for the average household in the Township) |
| Q. A pool was identified as a priority by the user groups and in the 2018 Park Master Plan. Why is a pool not being included in the application? |
| A. One of the main program objectives of this funding intake is providing tax payers value for money. Staff believe, based on the cost estimates provided and consultations with the Province, that an outdoor pool does not provide the cost value that this funding model is seeking. An outdoor pool is a very large expenditure both in capital and operating costs considering the short operating season and the close proximity of our neighboring municipalities that operate indoor pools. Removing the pool from the application does not necessarily represent removing it from the overall scope of the project and it could be considered in the future. |
| Q. What will happen to the current arena and community centre in the Village of Wellesley? |
| A. Should the funding application be successful and a new Recreation Centre is built at Hutchison Road and Queens Bush Road, the current arena and community centre would conceivably be closed. The land where these buildings currently stand would be well suited to a seniors living complex with a commercial component. One potential plan would include an apartment/condo style building above a main floor commercial use which could include medical, dental, pharmacy, coffee shop or other personal service uses.
Only the paved area of this land would currently be considered for sale or development. Council passed a resolution that it is their intent to maintain the green space as parkland. |
| Q. If the current arena/community centre land is sold, would the revenue from that sale go directly against the new build? |
| A. Any revenues received from sale or development of the existing arena/community center land would directly offset the cost of developing the new park. Sale or development of that land could not happen until after the new park is developed. |
| Q. What will happen to the St Clements Arena if a new Township of Wellesley Recreation Centre is built? |
| A. The St. Clements Arena will continue to be maintained to its current standard. No upgrades are planned at this time. When major components of the arena reach the point where large replacement expenditures would be required, Council will have to decide on the future of the facility. Engineer’s reports on this facility have not shown any major concerns to date. Additionally, the floor and cooling lines, which are one major component, were replaced in 2005. |
Update - September 2019
| Q. What public input is being sought in the development of a new recreation facility? |
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A. Council has adopted the Wellesley Township Recreation Centre Advisory Committee as an official Committee of Council. This committee is made up of members of the public who have interest and knowledge in recreation and community interests. The committee is working closely with staff to develop suitable plans for the Parkland located at the corner of Queens Bush Road and Hutchison Road which will best meet the needs of the community. The committee will advise Council as the process moves forward. |
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Q. Has Council passed any motions in regards to the location of a new facility? |
| A. Council passed a motion to “direct staff to move forward with design drawings for a new arena on the new Township of Wellesley Parkland”. No final decisions have been made regarding construction of a new facility at this time. |
| Q. Has Council passed any motions in regards to the current parkland in the Village of Wellesley? |
| A. Yes, on August 27th, 2019, Council passed a motion that “it is their intent to maintain the majority of the greenspace at the recreation lands located at 1004 Catherine St for recreation purposes should a new facility be constructed at the lands located at 1401 Queens Bush Road”. |
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Q. What will be included in the new facility? |
| A. This is very much dependant on the amount of funding that can be secured. Suggestions made by the Advisory Committee include a single pad arena, gymnasium, senior and youth centers, walking track, soccer pitches, skate park, possible outdoor pool, meeting rooms and event space |
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Q. How much will this project cost the taxpayers? |
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A. This is also very much dependant on the amount of funding that can be secured. An application will be made to the “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program”. This is a joint federal and provincial grant stream that could fund as much as 73% of the cost of eligible projects. A fundraising feasibility study is also being undertaken currently to determine the potential amount of fundraising that could be achieved. Cost estimates will be prepared and presented to Council in late October or early November for consideration prior to applying for funding since Council would need to commit to funding the cost of the project less any grants or fundraising dollars. |
July 2019
| Q. Why wasn’t the Wellesley Arena maintained? |
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A. The Wellesley Arena, like all Township facilities, has always been maintained. Staff, with the assistance of outside agents where necessary, review all maintenance requirements of facilities. Identified repairs are carried out in accordance with approved budgets. All buildings and building components have a life expectancy. When this life expectancy is nearing an end, Council must decide whether the most logical option is to repair, replace or decommission the asset. This is carefully examined based on a variety of criteria which varies based on the asset. In the case of the Wellesley Arena, several components have been deemed to be at the end of lifecycle and Council has decided the best course of action is to replace the facility rather than extend its life. The planning for potential replacement had begun several years ago based on reports that indicated a 10 year life expectancy. The most recent inspections revealed deterioration had taken place faster than anticipated which is what lead to the closure of the arena. |
| Q. Is a short term fix available for the current Wellesley Arena? |
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A. Staff is actively seeking a short term repair that could extend the life of the arena at a reasonable cost until a new facility can be built. Staff will provide a recommendation to Council if a suitable solution is possible. Public buildings must meet high standards for safety which eliminates some short term repairs. |
| Q. If a new facility is built at the recreation lands on the corner of Hutchison Road and Queens Bush Road, will the current recreation lands in the Village of Wellesley be sold for re-development? |
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A. Council has not discussed selling the current lands but it would be possible to repurpose some or all of these lands. Best practices in land use planning would maintain parkland in the residential areas. Staff opinion at this time is that the majority of the green space at the current parkland should remain for recreation purposes. This includes the ball diamonds, soccer fields, accessible playground, splash pad and picnic shelter. A need has been identified by the community for seniors housing. This could potentially be accommodated where the current arena sits and could include a commercial component (eg. service offices or mercantile). No decisions have been made on repurposing these lands at this time. |
| Q. Have any definite decisions been made as to the location of a new facility or what will be included? |
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A. No definite decisions have been made. Council purchased the land at the corner of Hutchison Road and Queens Bush Road in anticipation of a new facility being built there at some point. Council has determined that the existing arena will not be repaired or upgraded. A new facility must be scalable for future needs which is unlikely to be possible on the current lands since that property is currently unable to accommodate any additional amenities due to constrained land area. Council and staff will be considering feedback from the Wellesley Township Recreation Centre Committee which is comprised of groups which would use the facility and recreation grounds. |
| Q. What is the Wellesley Township Recreation Centre Committee? |
| A. This committee is a grassroots group comprised of sports organizations, service clubs, social services, event committees etc who would use a recreation facility and recreation grounds. This group is not a current committee of Council and has no decision making authority. Council is supportive of this group’s efforts and will take the committee’s recommendations into consideration when planning a potential new facility. |
| Q. Has planning begun for a new facility? |
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A. Planning has begun in anticipation of a new facility. Staff has initiated the design and engineering required to be ready to apply for federal and provincial funding when the application window opens as directed by Council. |
Have you heard the news?
The Township of Wellesley has purchased 16.19 hectares (40 acres) of land at the corner of Hutchison Road and Queens Bush Road. The land will be used for future recreation services within the Township of Wellesley.
The Township of Wellesley is preparing a Master Plan for a New Community Park located at the corner of Hutchison Road and Queen’s Bush Road. The Township has retained the consulting team of FJ Galloway Associates Inc. plus GSP Group Inc. to coordinate the process and create a schematic design that is aligned with the diverse recreational interests of residents of the Township on the 40 acre site.
We want to hear from you!
We welcome and need your help in planning the future of recreation services in the Township of Wellesley. Please email droth@wellesley.ca or send to the Administration Office at 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements ON N0B 2M0.
The following factsheet has been prepared in order to answer questions as a result of the Parkland Survey and Master Plan process.