Township celebrates upgrades to facilities and roads

By Liz Dadson

Huron-Kinloss Council

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Standing in front of the Point Clark Community Centre are Huron-Kinloss public works director Hugh Nichol (L), Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, township mayor Mitch Twolan, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, and township recreation and facilities director Mike Fair

Checking out the infrastructure sign along Huron Road in Point Clark are Huron-Kinloss treasurer Jodi MacArthur (L), councillor Anne Eadie, public works director Hugh Nichol, Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, mayor Mitch Twolan, and Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb 

Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb and MPP Carol Mitchell were in Point Clark Tuesday morning (Jan. 5) to help celebrate with Huron-Kinloss on the completion of the upgrades to the community centre and improvements to several streets in the northwest portion of Point Clark, as well as the start of upgrades to the south end of Huron Road.

All three projects received two-thirds funding through federal and provincial grants.

The upgrades to the Point Clark and Huron District Community Centre included installation of a membrane roof, new tiles in the foyer, kitchens, and washrooms, and three new doors - handicapped-accessible ones at the main entrance and the basement, and an exit door on the main level, said recreation and facilities director Mike Fair.

He said the community centre is used a lot, especially in the summer when the population in Point Clark reaches about 3,000.

"It's the hub of this community," agreed mayor Mitch Twolan, noting the Huron Lakeshore Friendship Club uses it extensively, and it is rented out for wedding receptions and family gatherings.

He said the Point Clark Kinsmen saw the need for this facility and moved the building to Point Clark from the CAW Centre in Port Elgin, in 1988. Additions and upgrades have been made over the years, he said, and the structure acts as a warming centre for that part of the township in case of emergency, complete with a back-up generator. 

Through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in Ontario and the Ontario Recreation Program, the federal and provincial governments committed about $17,000 each, with the township providing the balance of about $50,000 for this renovation project.

As for the road work, improvements to the water distribution and storm water systems in the northwest portion of Point Clark, including Brown, Blue and Ronald Streets, have been completed. Public works director Hugh Nichol said larger capacity watermains and fire hydrants were installed, as well as a storm sewer system, and affected roadways were reconstructed, enhancing drainage and improving the condition of the roads.

This work was done through the Building Canada Fund, with the federal and provincial governments each putting $336,348 toward the project, and the township contributing the remainder, for a total of $1,009,044.

Meanwhile, the Huron Road project includes reconstruction of road cross-sections, installing curves and removing roadside ditches to increase the road's longevity and improve storm water drainage, said Nichol. This $2.93-million project also received federal and provincial support through the Building Canada Fund.

"We congratulate Huron-Kinloss for keeping up its facilities and roads," said Mitchell. "I commend you on recognizing the demographics of your community and the people who use these facilities. Point Clark is a lovely community, with the trees laden with snow, and this is a wonderful community centre."

Lobb said the Huron-Bruce riding received a record amount of funding in 2009 for infrastructure projects. "Huron-Kinloss has done a tremendous job with the number of projects approved. The money goes a long way in getting the work done in this community which is one of the fastest growing communities in this riding. I commend council and staff for a job well done."

Twolan said Point Clark was built in a swamp, so much of the roads funding is being used to clear the roadways right down to the base because years ago, stumps were used as fill and they are now coming through the asphalt.

He also pointed out that the township had about 50 new houses built in 2009, with a construction value of $20 million. "We're definitely a growing community," he said.

Mitchell said part of the provincial deficit was created through infrastructure funding to stimulate the economy. This means a challenge for all levels of government, she said. "We made solid investments and needed investments for communities preparing for growth, including Huron-Kinloss," she said.

Twolan said council realizes that and he thanked Mitchell for going to bat for the township which, without transitional funding through the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, would be facing a 17-per-cent tax rate increase.

 Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan (R) opens the new door to the community centre for Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb (L) and MPP Carol Mitchell

New tile in the kitchen at the Point Clark Community Centre

 The Blue Park playground in Point Clark is buried in snow

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Wednesday, January 06, 2010