February 2021
Published monthly
Newsletter
Vol. 2, Edition 8
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A month goes by quick and yet we have a lot of new information to share with you since our last update.
For example, The Monthly Report contains details about a new joint-use recreation centre that will be part of the new public elementary school at Sunnidale Trails.
Work continues on the new twin-pad arena and library as well and we provide you the latest happenings with that important project.
In addition, construction will start on more than 2,000 new homes in Wasaga Beach this year and we provide you the details. Included is information about new commercial buildings coming online in 2021.
On a related note, Zancor is getting ready to move forward with development of our business park in the west end, so be sure to read about that, too.
What else will you find in The Monthly Report?
- information about the investment in a new fire truck for our community;
- community programming details;
- new Q&As on development charges and cannabis;
- plus much, more more.
Again, thanks for reading and if you haven't subscribed you can do so by visiting here: http://bit.ly/2nyvDpX. |
Shared recreation facility going ahead as part of Sunnidale Trails development |
Wasaga Beach will have a joint-use recreation facility as part of a new elementary school planned for the Sunnidale Trails subdivision in the central part of town.
Council at the Feb. 23 meeting instructed staff to draft a bylaw authorizing a joint-use agreement for the facility with the Simcoe County District School Board.
The new facility will offer a number of amenities, including a double-gym, multi-purpose room, kitchenette, washrooms, and portable stage for use by the community.
The town’s capital contribution for this project is $1.5-million. Funds have been incorporated in the town's capital forecast to pay for the contribution.
The new school is set to open in September 2023 along with the community centre.
The partnership with the board represents good value for the residents of Wasaga Beach and is another way in which the town is moving forward.
RELATED INFORMATION
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Town starts process to select
twin-pad arena
and library contractor
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Council received for information a report on how the town will select a building contractor for the twin-pad arena and library project.
In addition, council directed staff to work with the project’s consultants to develop and post a Request for Pre-Qualification of General Contractors (RFPQ).
Council also instructed staff to work with the consultants and the project steering group to evaluate RFPQ proposals.
Proposals will be scored and ranked in April, with a recommended short-list of general contractors brought to council for approval in May.
Following council’s approval of the short list, staff will work to finalize and issue the tender for the twin-pad arena and library construction contract. The goal is to issue the tender on May 31 for a five-week period. Tender review is to take place in July with a recommendation for the awarding of the construction contract brought to council that same month.
Construction is set to start in August.
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Connecting with our builders |
STAYING IN TOUCH On Feb. 17, Mayor Nina Bifolchi provided an update on municipal activities to the Wasaga and District Builders and Contractors Association. She discussed a number of topics, including the new twin-pad arena and library project, redevelopment of town-owned land at the beachfront, the casino project, residential development, and the town's new development charge rates. The town is grateful to local builders and contractors for the various projects they help move forward in our community, in addition to the jobs they create. Learn more about the association and its membership here: https://www.wasagabuilderscontractors.com/ #MovingWBForward
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EXTRA! EXTRA!
We are sharing all that is good about Wasaga Beach.
See the 16-page special supplement we are sharing with Toronto Star readers in the GTA and Record readers in Kitchener-Waterloo that was developer funded and town-produced.
Our community has a lot happening and we're spreading the word!
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Q&A: Reserves and Development Charges |
Read our Reserves and Development Charges Q&A to learn what these important financial tools are all about and how they assist with the delivery of important public services in our community. |
The Facade Improvement Program is a FREE municipal Grant Program Package that assists property owners looking to revitalize and/or restore the frontage of their buildings in town. Projects can include side and rear facing facades that have high public visibility.
The program will provide a grant up to 50% of the eligible costs up to $2,000 per project.
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Town invests in new pumper truck |
IN SERVICE Our new pumper truck is now in service at Fire Station 1. The Pierce, Sabre 7024 truck replaced another truck at the end of its lifespan. The $615,000 vehicle will provide fire suppression services when needed throughout Wasaga Beach, helping keep our community safe. Mayor Nina Bifolchi and CAO George Vadeboncoeur inspected the new vehicle with Fire Chief Mike McWilliam, Deputy Chief Craig Williams, and firefighters on Feb. 19. Tell us if you like white or red fire trucks. Fill out the survey below. We want to know.
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Do you like white or red fire trucks?
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Training keeps our firefighters safe and sharp |
Our firefighters train in real conditions. They are committed to improving their skills and protecting our community. It was -17C during this recent ice water rescue training in the Nottawasaga River.
Watch a video below of an ice water rescue training session the department did in 2018.
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Access nomination forms on our website here. |
Building activity continues in January: Report |
Building officials for the town issued 72 permits for construction valued at $26-million in January.
Staff also conducted 149 building inspections for the month.
The report is another indicator of the strong level of development activity in Wasaga Beach.
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Substantial new construction taking place in 2021 |
A report from the town’s planning staff indicates construction will start on properties that support more than 2,000 new homes in the community this year.
In addition, the report notes several commercial building projects.
Building activity includes the following:
- Pacific Homes’ first phase in Sunnidale Trails (604 homes total);
- Zancor’s Sunnidale Trails first phase (1,145 homes total);
- Zancor’s Ramblewood Subdivision (177 homes);
- Hamount’s Stonebridge project (48 homes);
- Elm Development’s phase 1, stage 3 project (58 homes);
- Berkley Homes’ Berkley Drive project (14 homes);
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Golden Sands’ project at 45th Street and Knox Road West (100 homes);
- PetroGold’s gas station and three-storey building at River Road West and Main Street;
- The PetroCanada, Burger King, Car Wash project at River Road West and Theme Park Drive;
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The Wendy’s restaurant at Mosley and 28th Street;
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The A&W restaurant at 45th Street South;
- The Twin-Pad arena and Library project on River Road West;
- A 117-unit four-storey retirement home at 707 River Rd. W., behind the Foodland.
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See our Build Wasaga page for a closer look at all of the great investments being made in our community. |
Zancor moving forward with plans for business park |
Council authorized the town’s CAO to start discussions with Zancor on the transfer of municipal business park property to the developer, based on the terms of a 2006 agreement.
In 2006, Zancor installed services in the park on the condition the town convey 47 acres of the property to the developer.
The business park is in the west end of Wasaga Beach, off Ramblewood Drive and Lyons Court.
Zancor is ready to develop the land and council has authorized staff to accept a development proposal for the property.
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Report provides comprehensive picture |
The report cautions recovery will take time though for the economy to return to pre-pandemic performance.
The town’s Business Recovery Portal on the website provides a variety of information and supports that members of the local business community are encouraged to access.
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Town finances in great shape |
Committee of the Whole, at its Feb. 18 meeting, received the treasurer’s COVID-19 preliminary financial report for information.
The report notes the town has been able to manage the financial impact of COVID-19 through the implementation of cost containment measures and with help from a provincial grant of $806,000.
These steps have helped maintain the town’s good financial position.
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West end drainage improvements
moving forward
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Council awarded R.J. Burnside and Associates a $159,000 contract to oversee the administration of a drainage improvement project in the west end.
The first phase of the work encompasses an area along Shore Lane, between 64th Street and 61st Street. This project addresses an area that sees water accumulate in the roadways after heavy storms.
The improvements include a new drainage outlet at the north limit of 62nd Street.
In early March, the town will ask companies to bid on the construction work that is required for the project.
Staff will then present a recommendation, at the April 8 Coordinated Committee meeting, to award the construction contract.
Work is to start in May.
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Sweet treats for a good cause |
CUPCAKES Feb. 23 was National Cupcake Day. The day is a fundraiser for local animal shelters. Town staff baked hundreds of cupcakes to raise money for the event. Thanks to the generosity of council members and staff, we were able to raise $1,000. The money will go to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Learn more about National Cupcake Day here and more about the local humane society here. We hope next year to be able to make cupcakes available to the public, as in years before the pandemic. |
New staffer joins
Treasury Department
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NEW FACE AT TOWN HALL On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Mayor Nina Bifolchi welcomed Carrie Whelan to the Town of Wasaga Beach. Whelan is working in our Treasury Department as a junior revenue clerk. Welcome to the team! |
Download app before heading out on trails |
The Ontario Provincial Police Provincial Communications Centres (PCCs) are using the mobile application 'What3Words' to help people in need when a caller cannot describe or does not know where they are located.
Through its global mapping system, the app labels every three squared metres with a unique three-word location string which can be converted into latitude and longitude coordinates for entry into the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system in use at the PCCs.
What3Words is a free application for iPhones and Android devices that works off the cellphone’s Global Positioning System (GPS) or offline without mobile data if the caller already has the mobile app downloaded on their cellular device.
Even if the caller does not have the app previously downloaded on their mobile device, the PCC communicator can send a link to the caller’s cell phone which will enable the caller with data access to find their What3Words location. The app is available in 43 languages but shares the location in English.
This is an excellent opportunity to save precious time in an emergency and enable a more rapid frontline response.
Consider adding the app to your mobile device, especially if you are planning a trip onto our local trail system.
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Make sure you know where the snow goes |
'Tis the season for snow, and with that in mind, the Municipal Law Enforcement Department would like to remind residents to refrain from placing snow on the roadway when shoveling or plowing driveways, entrances and sidewalks.
Not only is this the courteous thing to do, but pushing snow into the municipal roadway is a violation of the Road Occupancy By-Law (#2019-33).
For more information, or to report a concern, please contact the Municipal Law Enforcement Department at (705) 429-2511.
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Need help with your driveway this winter? Maybe you can help a neighbour on your street |
Online resources to support you during the COVID-19 pandemic |
Town of Wasaga Beach
County of Simcoe
Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit
Ontario Ministry of Health
Health Canada
Government of Canada
World Health Organization
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Government of Ontario COVID-19 updates |
Visit the main newsroom here
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See Truth Corner for our two latest instalments - one on how we manage our social media pages and another that looks at development charges and how they are used.
Why have a Truth Corner?
Factual information matters - especially when it comes to the delivery of public services, which is the primary purpose of the Town of Wasaga Beach.
The delivery of these services generates discussion and that's a good thing, but it is important the dialogue be built on facts.
Disinformation, misinformation, innuendo, and other forms of non-factual information can spread quickly on social media. It can muddle and distort the debate. One need only look at the political discourse in the United States in recent years.
Sometimes people on social media platforms speak to town services, initiatives and projects without using facts. This perpetuates misinformation and it only does harm.
Facts aren't partisan.
Regardless of individual political views, locally, nationally, or internationally, every citizen has a duty and responsibility to defend the truth and defeat lies.
Truth Corner is a tool the town uses to quickly correct misinformation with facts about a particular matter.
Residents can always find accurate information about the town by visiting our website at www.wasagabeach.com or by contacting a member of council or staff.
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Take the LINX bus to Barrie
The route runs weekdays between Allandale Station in Barrie and the Real Canadian Super Store in Wasaga Beach.
Ride the Wave ... hop on Wasaga Beach Transit to get around town
Wasaga Beach Transit is an affordable and economical way to get around our community.
Our buses run seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Leave the car at home and take the bus.
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When to call 211 or 911
211 is a tremendous community connection program, where a live person assists callers 24 hours a day to find information about a wide range of health and community services.
911 is strictly for emergencies (fire, ambulance, police) when help is urgently required. More here. |
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Search "Town of Wasaga Beach" on Facebook and Twitter and follow us for daily updates on town activities and services.
Be the first to know what's new!
Get information about agendas, town programs, council happenings, and much more.
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Wasaga Beach Council Highlights |
Wasaga Beach Town Council met on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
For an overview of what took place, see our highlights package: Here
Watch the meeting below:
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Find a meeting in our calendar |
Looking for information on when town meetings take place?
Check out our website for dates and times. You can see the whole month at a glance.
Learn more here:
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Town of Wasaga Beach Quick Fact
Are you familiar with the Wasaga Beach Youth Centre?
Our centre is at 1621 Mosley Street.
The centre offers a variety of programs geared towards young people in Wasaga Beach.
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Waste collection information |
The County of Simcoe is responsible for waste collection in the Town of Wasaga Beach.
You can learn more about waste services by visiting the county's website.
The site includes a variety of information, including waste collection schedules and landfill locations. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2m4oVad
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Water conservation rebates are available!
The Town of Wasaga Beach has a water conservation rebate program.
When you install a low flow or dual flush toilet you are eligible for a $70 rebate.
Residents who install a rain barrel can get a $30 rebate.
Please note that only property owners on municipal water are eligible for the rebate.
You can find rebate forms at www.wasagabeach.com or pick one up at town hall, 30 Lewis St. Applicants must include copies of receipts indicating that they purchased the particular item.
Completed forms and supporting documentation can be presented at town hall. The rebate will be applied to your next water bill.
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You've got payment options through Plastiq
Through the town's website using Plastiq (third party), you can pay your property tax and/or water/wastewater bill by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
There will be a service fee of 2.5 percent applied by the service provider, Plastiq.
Please note that there are several low or no-cost means of paying your bill with the town. These include equal payment plan, telephone banking, mailing a cheque, or placing a payment in our drop box.
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Check out our latest edition of the Recreation, Events and Facilities Guide. See the guide.
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Check out Let's Talk Wasaga Beach here: Click
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Pocket dialing can tie up resources |
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When inadvertently dialing 911 on your cell phone, please remember you are activating an emergency service.
In doing so, emergency personnel are committed to determining the origin and extent of the emergency that may be happening.
This means they have to locate the individual who inadvertently dialed 911.
This response can draw needed resources away from actual emergencies. To prevent this please, when not using your phone, lock it so that unintentional calls do not happen.
If you do dial 911 by mistake, please do not hang up on the operator. Explain the call is in fact not an emergency, tell the operator where you are and stay there. This is because an officer must attend your location to determine an emergency is not taking place.
By hanging up or leaving your current location, you create a situation where emergency services must try to locate you, and in the process tie up precious resources.
Only you can stop 911 misdials.
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Are you familiar with MedicAlert Connect?
MedicAlert Connect provides Ontario Provincial Police with 24/7 direct access to a person's medical information including conditions, anxiety triggers, and de-escalation techniques, to assist with reuniting you and your loved ones.
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Did you know the OPP has an online crime reporting site?
The site lets you report a crime without visiting an OPP detachment. Learn more. |
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OUR HISTORY Put your feet up and listen to a new tale from the Historical Advisory Committee. This latest instalment looks at the Normandie Lodge. Click the above link to begin. |
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THE OAKVIEW From the Historical Advisory Committee. The Oakview Community Centre had its official opening on Dec. 12, 1958. The Oakview Community Association, in 1957, had a cottage on 35th Street, which they used for recreational purposes. In 1957, the association felt that the cottage had become too small and they were considering building an addition onto the cottage. At that time the Sunnidale Township council had heard of the Oakview Community Association’s plan and felt that the group’s plan would fit with a piece of land that the township owned on Mosley Street. A joint project was developed, to which the association agreed, and the Oakview Community Centre was built. The Oakview Community Centre has hosted dances, home and trade shows, blood donor clinics, cadets, service groups, art shows, theatre productions, a nursery school, and numerous clubs. The Lions Club Bingo was a Friday night staple. The first bingo event was held as a monster bingo on Aug. 14, 1964. Bingo events lasted for 56 years. The Lions Club was also responsible for many of the upgrades to the Oakview Community Centre in the 1980s. The centre was home to the first Wasaga Beach Library and, tiny as it was, it supplied books to the growing community. It also hosted students, for a brief period, as the local school ran short of space. In 2006, the addition of the YMCA to the Oakview Community Centre added to the centre’s long history. The Town of Wasaga Beach owns and operates the Oakview Community Centre, now known as the Wasaga Beach RecPlex. The picture is from the Bowles Family Collection.
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There's always something to do through the Wasaga Beach Public Library
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Message from Mayor Nina Bifolchi |
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Looking through the latest edition of The Monthly Report reminds me how fortunate we are to call Wasaga Beach our home.
The report highlights so many good news stories about Wasaga Beach.
We're moving ahead with our twin-pad arena and library project, which will serve Wasaga Beach for generations. It will be a place for fun, learning, friendships, and so much more.
Soon our staff and council will start reviewing developers' proposals for town-owned land at the beachfront. This is a major step in determining the future of this part of our town.
We've invested in a new modern pumper truck for our fire department. This vehicle is a valuable resource when it comes to keeping our town safe. In order to ensure adequate fire suppression in an emergency we need our firefighters to have the right tools.
A report from planning staff shows construction is starting on more than 2,000 new homes this year. It's exciting to think how these new residents will contribute to Wasaga Beach. Will they open a new business? Perhaps they'll volunteer in our community?
Another report - this one from our treasurer - shows we are in great financial shape. This allows us to continue making important investments in public services and infrastructure.
And a report from our economic development staff notes our economy is recovering from the pandemic and will continue to do so. We can help facilitate this good news story by remembering to shop local. Wasaga Beach businesses continue to need our full support.
Another item in The Monthly Report that puts a smile on my face is the photo and caption about our staff and council raising $1,000 on National Cupcake Day. The funds will support the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Our staff are talented in so many things and we are fortunate that some possess fantastic baking skills!
The Monthly Report also highlights the great programs residents can access through our recreation department and our library. Staff put a lot of thought into creating meaningful, engaging programs and I am so proud of their efforts.
Included with this latest newsletter is a video from our Historical Advisory Committee. The video is a fond look back at the Normandie Lodge. We have a great history in Wasaga Beach and the Historical Advisory Committee does a terrific job educating our community.
While the COVID-19 vaccine is in the early stages of being rolled out it is imperative we continue to wear our masks, wash our hands, and follow the rest of the public health recommendations.
Please stay safe and we'll talk again soon.
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Wasaga Beach Town Council |
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Mayor Nina Bifolchi
705-429-3844, ext. 2225
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Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray
705-888-1131
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Councillor Joe Belanger
705-816-0733
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Councillor David Foster
705-441-2211
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Councillor George Watson
705-309-7653
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Councillor Stan Wells
705-429-3239
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Your town council...
Members of Wasaga Beach town council are elected to represent the people of Wasaga Beach.
You can discuss town matters with a member of council by calling or e-mailing them.
If you would like a member of council to attend a special event please contact Pam Kenwell at 705-429-3844, ext. 2246 or e-mail eamc@wasagabeach.com
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George
Vadeboncoeur
Chief Administrative Officer
705-429-3844, ext. 2222
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See what's happening on our social sites: |
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