Thursday 24 March 2022

South Gate Centre announces expansion plans; fundraising drive

Fundraising kickoff was held March 23

South Gate Centre (www.southgatectr.com) in Woodstock is 'bursting at the seams'.

They now require 'all hands on deck' as they want to expand their walls and grow. 

'Back to the drawing board' was exactly what the South Gate Centre board did in creating a project and a plan for its future.

The price tag, however, is to raise $1.5 million ($1 million for construction; $500,000 for furnishings) within the community as the City of Woodstock capital budget for 2023 has penciled in a further $5.3 million for construction next year. The caveat here is that 2022 is an election year. The City would have several directions to pay its share, including debenture (loan) and using development fees.

It's exciting times. It's an expansion that has been on the architect's table for a few years and after a few modifications is now seeing reality a short reach away.

South Gate Centre hosted a fundraising (campaign kickoff is what GM Chris Cunningham said in her podium time) introduction open house on Wednesday, March 23 to release details depicting drawings, fundraising goals, a hopeful overall timetable, and to describe the promise of tomorrow for the Woodstock seniors club, which invites anyone over the age of 50 to join.

Look at some of the attached graphics which note demographics. Search through the website for your membership fees.

You may also check out their website for activities ranging from fitness, woodworking, card tournaments, dance lessons, luncheons, slo-pitch teams, pickle ball, crafts, snooker, seminars, art lessons, and special events such as the Chilly Charlie Groundhog Day breakfast and the Twelve Days Of Christmas lottery.

Many outside associations call South Gate home, including the Lions Club with 2 meetings every month plus a Bingo night every Thursday.

More details can be found on this Rogers TV video and this Podium show:    https://www.facebook.com/RogersTVOxford/videos/539235800858556

Compiled By: Mark Schadenberg

Woodstock City Councillor

(519) 532-2068

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Thursday 10 March 2022

Devonshire and Lansdowne corner on Planning Agenda

SEEKING YOUR ADVICE

As a member of Woodstock City Council, you may email me (mschadenberg@cityofwoodstock.ca) or call (519-532-2068) with your thoughts or ideas on any subject anytime. City Council does have ears.

Today, I'm posting about the newest plan for the corner of Devonshire and Lansdowne as it's on the agenda for the Public Planning meeting on Monday, March 14 at 7 p.m., and could certainly be approved on Thursday, March 17 at the next City Council meeting -- scheduled that day for 1:30.

Keeping in mind, this is vacant land and there are certainly pressures to utilize all lands within the city -- with or without a possible future residential municipal boundary adjustment. Also, the Provincial Property Statement, Ontario's More Homes More Choices Act, and the County's Official Plan set out guidelines to approve or not approve developments. 

The builders certainly suggest maximum use of land -- in this case 27 townhouse units proposed, which would be somewhat similar to 1023 Devonshire townhouses, and the two complexes at the corner of Devonshire and Falcon.  

Previous proposals for this parcel have included a plaza with a medical clinic, and also a pharmacy, but obviously neither of those drawings were ever constructed, so it's back to the 'old drawing board' with this new idea. 

I'm passing along info here and a couple renderings, but I do respect your comments on intensification, respecting farmland (Not adjusting the boundaries), developing all vacant land (brownfields especially), building up versus building out, parking constraints, and understanding the needs for lower residential costs.

Woodstock is growing and the population signs will soon have a number larger than 46,000. Every community has deliberations on intensification and in-fill, just Google a community name along with proposed planning projects.

I will also add that Woodstock has many approved projects which have yet to break ground, including the former peace lighthouse on Ferguson, the corner of Adelaide and Victoria, the corner of Oxford and Hunter, and the continuation of a Garden Court street. 