Richmond Hill - June 18, 2009
BY ADAM MC LEAN , yorkregion.com
Cash coming for roads, trails, arenas and heritage rehabilitations
The federal government dished out $4 billion Friday to improve municipal and community infrastructure projects across the country and $22 million of that cash will be spent within Richmond Hill. Two MPs of different political stripes had differing views on the funding.
The money is part of the infrastructure stimulus fund which allows municipalities to jumpstart much-needed construction and repair projects with each level of government splitting the total cost.
Richmond Hill's one third contribution will be paid from various reserve funds.
"No money will be borrowed," assured Dan Olding, town manager of grants and strategic initiatives.
Stimulus fund guidelines stipulated that submitted projects were to be shovel-ready and not appear in Richmond Hill's 2009 or 2010 capital budget, but could be started immediately with additional financial support.
Funding was allocated to the reconstruction of Axminster Drive, Claridge Drive and Leisure Lane among other roads; the rehabilitation of decades-old Elgin Barrow Arena; the restoration of the Eyer Homestead historical house and the George Foster historical house and barn; as well as a town-wide cycling infrastructure project.
Of the seven approved Richmond Hill infrastructure projects, six locations lay within the boundaries of Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert's Richmond Hill riding.
In the days leading up to last week's announcement, Mr. Wilfert accused his neighbouring MP Paul Calandra and the Conservatives of resorting to "petty politics", by not notifying him of approved projects and failing to extend the Richmond Hill MP an invitation to Friday's announcement.
Oak Ridges Markham Conservative MP Calandra said he was told that Mr. Wilfert was unable to attend the funding announcement.
For his part, Mayor Dave Barrow said the additional funding will enable the town to continue to make Richmond Hill an attractive place to live and work.
"This is great news for Richmond Hill. Thanks to these funds we will be able to reconstruct $11 million worth of roads and refurbish one of our oldest and well utilized arenas costing $4 million, plus a $1 million project that will result in more than 50 kilometres of new cycling routes in the community," Mr. Barrow said.
"These funds mean job creation, essential infrastructure investments and improved competitiveness for all municipalities. This investment in the town will immediately boost our economy, helping us deliver lasting economic, environmental and social benefits," he added.
The town's initial list of projects to submit for approval was determined in late April.
That submitted list contained 15 potential infrastructure projects and a bottom line cost of roughly $35 million.
Some projects not receiving funding include the construction of two artificial turf fields at Richmond Green; Arnold Crescent and Highland Lane road reconstruction; playground replacements at Bradstock, Kozak, Ritter, Stavert, Skopit and Willow Hollow Parks, as well as Humber Flats trail revitalization.
Mr. Calandra made the announcement of approved projects last week.
Mr. Wilfert said he was happy to see funding benefit Richmond Hill, but was less impressed with what he saw as national funding allocations leaning heavily toward Conservative ridings. The Liberal MP also accused the Conservatives of wasting precious time to make the funding announcement, delaying the day when shovels can eventually break ground.
"Construction season only lasts so long and now the municipal governments are going to have to scramble to get things out," Mr. Wilfert said.
"Three of these projects are roads and the cold weather won't wait for these projects to begin," he added.
Mr. Calandra laughed off the accusations of petty politics deciding Richmond Hill's or other infrastructure funding outcomes, also saying he was happy with the time frame for the funding announcement.
"I went to the Town of Richmond Hill and asked them what projects would be best for the town and residents and I think as a whole, the approved projects reflect that," Mr. Calandra said Monday.
"This is a government announcement and I am representing the government of Canada. Mr. Wilfert may be having difficulty with that, but he is not in government".
"The funding is not about snubbing opposing ridings, but about working with the local municipalities and as MP of Oak Ridges-Markham that means meeting with reps from Richmond Hill, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville and King Township. It can be an exhausting process," he added.
Total funding amounts received by neighbouring municipalities.
Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville: $5,206,555
Township of King: $14,560,000
Town of Markham: $13,200,000
City of Vaughan: $30,000,000
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