My blog posts do represent my thoughts and feelings on everything that is Woodstock.
Last October, for example, I wrote about the plans of the Southgate Centre to have an aggressive and progressive expansion - prepare for the future and sprint to the horizon. It was an exciting proposal, but a little larger and more grand then what could logically be envisioned. I include here a link to my writings of 12 months ago, along with my current thoughts - a little more tempered also now that I'm running for City Council and I'm analyzing both the cents and the sense.
The other major shift is that the city now has full possession of the Cowan Park indoor soccer complex on Vansittart north (Ridgewood Road)
I truly believe the best consumer -- cars for example - is an educated consumer. The best voter is an educated voter. I'm sure after you read some of my current and past writings you will see that your ballot on Oct 22 deserves to include Mark Schadenberg.
Meanwhile, here's my current response to the folks at Southgate when asked by them for a viewpoint as they did for all City Council candidates.
The Woodstock City Council meeting of Sept. 20 represented an important hurdle for a hopeful expansion at Southgate Centre in Woodstock. A motion was passed for City Hall to spend $10,000 to explore a revised plan for a future addition of the facility at the entrance to Southside Park.
As a candidate for City Council I was excited by this proposal presented by Dave Hilderley as a delegation to Council. Southgate Centre has been a tremendous success story in the past 10 - 15 years, and because of this and with our aging demographic the building certainly requires an addition and the demand definitely exists.
All municipal building plans require a feasibility study of some degree, especially those which at some point will be applying for government grants before a shovel hits the ground for a sod turning ceremony. Many past studies have been written for all age brackets and interests, including a trails master plan and recreation needs plan for the City. As a long-time member of the recreation advisory committee (WRAC meets at Southgate as does the Lions Club which I am a member.) we have included many discussions on our agenda about Southgate, Cowan Park indoor soccer facility, Southside Park, Cowan Fields ball diamonds, Lions Pool, all playgrounds, and other current municipal facilities.
City Council in the next 4 years -- I believe -- will certainly be proceeding with an addition to the current Old Wellington Street South location.
At the same time I think about a lot of associated questions. I'm not discouraging anyone just setting out some discussion points.
How much more of an annual membership fee will current members be able to pay for an improved and enlarged facility?
How much of a contribution will Woodstock be able to receive from the neighbouring townships as members to Southgate certainly arrive from outside the current city boundaries. Should these township members pay an additional / modified fee as they would at the Woodstock library?
How would a new-look Southgate effect other facilities already in Woodstock such as the Cowan Park soccer indoor facility which also requires an upgrade to its gym (Reeves Community hall) to a hardwood multi-use floor. Could there be 'free' membership to the walking track at Cowan to all Southgate members? I realize that a membership fee to Southgate already includes many privileges.
Southgate has an on-going shared relationship with the Woodstock Badminton Club, which is a terrific sports venue. If Southgate built a full gymnasium would its members no longer visit the badminton club for either badminton or pickleball?
My guess would be that all the activities Southgate currently offers are simply 'bursting at the seams' and each area needs more 'elbow room' desperately -- the wood working shop, banquet room for all functions (card tournaments, exercise sessions, etc.), the meeting rooms, etc.
Will this addition begin as early as 2020? Likely not as Southgate must also complete an aggressive fundraising program and do their mathematical calculations about carrying a mortgage forward . . . or would their request be for the City to debenture much of the construction over the next 15 years or so.
Congratulations to Southgate on its current successes and I look forward to watching the seeds planted at City Council on Sept. 20 to grow and grow and grow (Local Roots - just like their eatery in Southside Park), and evolve from the original building plan which seemed to be wishful-thinking over-the-top and unattainable. Since we now have more citizens over the age of 65 then under 14, Southgate must expand, but should its mandate change into a combined older adults and at the same time a youth centre?
Should Southgate not first plan on expanding its own hours as I have heard on my door knocking that the facility should be open for more hours and most certainly more weekend hours. I drove by the facility this morning (Saturday) at 9:45 and the parking lot was empty. I could see from a window that the large hall was set up for a wedding or another formal function, but the wood shop could be in use on a Saturday morn.
An abundance to consider . . . so much excitement for the future. At the end of the day, I'm 100% in favour of an addition at Southgate, but the process involves more than bricks and mortar, but also a game plan about its futures uses and even more growth in membership numbers.
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October of 2017
http://electmarkin2018.blogspot.com/2017/10/exciting-expansion-project-planned-by.html
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