Kitchens and bathrooms

House & Home magazine story
Borrowing something from Canadian House & Home magazine, but the facts are unchanged over the years -- first impressions are important when selling your house, so make sure your Realtor's car is not in the driveway of the main picture online (http://www.realtor.ca/).
Also, renovated kitchens and bathrooms are very important when looking at a return on investment. We improve our homes for personal enjoyment and functionality, but more importantly we want the value of our homes to increase at the same time.
       ()()()()()()()()()

From:  www.HouseandHome.com

Canadian House & Home magazine

Which home renos will make you the most money: a kitchen, bathroom or exterior?

A few key upgrades can improve the marketability of your home, increase its value and help to sell it quickly. Here are five renos — from minor to major — worth the effort:

Outside

The exterior of a house is its first impression. The roof represents 30% of what is visible, so it can be a big selling point if it’s in good condition, especially on an older home. Black topping a faded driveway will also improve a home’s curb appeal.

Bathroom

Consumer reports show that homeowners see an 85% return on the cost of renovating a bathroom, making it the most important room to upgrade prior to selling. Consider upping a bathroom’s wow factor with luxury features such as marble counters or flooring and high-end showerheads. Replace outdated mirrors and fixtures, and swap coloured sinks, tubs or toilets with white models. Wall sconces positioned on each side of a vanity mirror are more flattering than overhead fluorescent or globe lights. Create a spa-look by sticking to neutral colours for walls and accessories.

Kitchen

You don’t need to install all the bells and whistles of a cook’s kitchen, but replacing older appliances with the best models you can afford will significantly increase the attractiveness of your home. Inadequate cabinets in cheap or trendy materials turn off potential buyers. If yours need to be upgraded, opt for quality finishes, hinges and sliders. Doors should have room to fully open and drawers should pull out smoothly and feel solid. Replace worn countertops with a highly regarded material such as granite, Corian or stone composite in a neutral colour. These add contemporary shine and give kitchens the luxe appearance potential buyers are looking for. Avoid countertop tiles applied with grout, which might need repairs and appear grungy in a couple of years.

Flooring

Replacing worn carpet or flooring increases the hassle-free quotient of a home. Swapping outdated wall-to-wall carpeting for hardwood flooring or laminate makes spaces look larger and more elegant. Light to mid-tone oak or maple hardwood suits most tastes.

Walls

A fresh coat of paint is an easy and cost-effective way to improve a home’s overall appearance. Avoid trendy or bold colours in favour of soft neutrals. The idea is to create a fresh, pristine backdrop in which potential buyers can easily picture themselves and their possessions.

Still need help?

Speak to a local real estate agent or appraiser for helpful advice on improvements that add value to homes in your particular neighbourhood and in general.

Luminary Sales part of memorable fundraiser

This is story I wrote for Sentinel-Review. It was printed last week.

Relay For Life: celebrate, remember, fight back

By Mark Schadenberg

With candles as luminaries, the word 'Hope' is a focal point on the crest of a hill at College Avenue Secondary School.

By 10 p.m. during Relay For Life, the same light will soon guide the way around the entire high school track.

Relay For Life -- June 15-16 -- is all about the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) slogan's celebrate, remember, fight back.

Hope, therefore, is an important acronym as ‘h’ represents hope, the circle 'o' for hugs, 'p' for progress, and 'e' is for the eternal love for those who have passed away from cancer.

At Relay, these candles or luminaries (placed inside a paper bag) are lit at 10 p.m. and surround the track for an evening of pause and reflection. The oval track itself could be another 'o' for an even larger hug. With the theme of Field Of Dreams for the 13^th annual fundraiser, these hundreds of lights represent the integral meaning of the 12-hour benefit.

The message on the outside of the bag can be a dedication in two ways: 'in memory of' someone who has passed away from cancer or 'in honour of' a cancer survivor.

"Even if you are unable to attend (Relay), you can still purchase luminaries to pay tribute to your family members and friends who have experienced cancer," says Tracy Piett, fundraising coordinator for the Oxford unit of the CCS.

"By purchasing a luminary you are helping the Canadian Cancer Society fund cutting edge cancer research, prevention, health promotion, advocacy and support services." 

The fundraising part of luminary sales is an important segment of the $300,000 projected goal for the Woodstock event.

Luminaries are now on sale for $5 each at various locations and also on-line at www.relayforlife.ca/woodstock.

The co-chair of the luminary committee has been involved in Relay since its inception locally. Marie Bowerman was a co-chair 13 years ago when Woodstock held its inaugural event. Losing two close friends to cancer was the reason she became involved.

"At that time I had lost a very dear friend (to cancer)," said Bowerman. "The next 10 years I was the volunteer co-ordinator (for Relay). For the 10th anniversary I co-chaired again and during that time lost another very dear friend.

"The last two years I have co-chaired luminary (sales). Last summer, I lost my brother. We need to keep raising monies for the research for all kinds of cancer.”

Bowerman adds this year’s goal for luminaries is 2,000 -- an attainable number as sales last year were 1,911.

The luminaries this year have changed somewhat, but essentially continue to be a tealight candle inside a bag. The difference is that volunteer Larry Bowerman (Marie’s husband) spent about 100 hours cutting, drilling and sanding wood blocks, to make the bags more sturdy.

For the overall Relay event, it's not too late to create your own team. The Woodstock goal was 75, but that’s been exceeded with 85 teams registered

The CCS is also registering cancer survivors for the Survivors' Lap, which begins the walk at 7 p.m. after an opening ceremony. Survivors can sign up in advance online, at the CCS Oxford office at 65 Springbank North, by phone at (519) 537-5592, or on the evening of Relay (beginning at 5 p.m.) and do not have to be a member of a team to participate.  

Relay For Life continues to grow. In 2010, for example, there were 39,191 registered cancer survivors in the various Victory Laps across Canada.

Relay itself included 200,900 walkers on 21,147 teams, raising about $54 million.

While there were an estimated 36,000 volunteers, the Woodstock event itself will sign up more than 250 volunteers and has a 2012 goal of $300,000.

If you are unable to attend in Woodstock, but want to participate in person, Relay For Life will also take place at Annandale public school in Tillsonburg (June 8-9) and IDCI in Ingersoll (June 22-23).

FAST FACTS

Luminaries are for sale at:

Woodstock farm market at fairgrounds on Saturday: May 26, June 2 and June 9.

Woodstock Print & Litho barbecue on Friday, June 1, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Along with:

Bank of Nova Scotia, both branches
Rochdale Credit Union

Boston Pizza
Swiss Chalet

Old St. Pauls Church
Church of Epiphany
Smith LeRoy Funeral Home
Brock & Visser Funeral Home
Southgate Centre
On Your Toes Dance Studio
Laidlaws
Woodstock Skating Club office at community complex.

Twenty points create a game plan

Working in progress to put up 'Sold' sign

A thorough marketing plan is basically covering all the bases or identifying all the checkpoints.

The end of the plan in real estate is a 'Sold' sign. The best way to attain that is to price your house properly as it will only sell for so much. However, to optimize the sale amount, there are many tasks to get from Point 'A' to Point 'Sale' -- a game plan.

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

1. The 'for sale' sign works 24/7.

2. Never under-estimate the power of Multiple Listing Service and internet. Stats indicate 85% of home buyers are introduced to the house they will buy or the agent they will work with, through internet, mostly www.realtor.ca.

3. The Royal LePage brand is automatic credibility

4. Complete full market analysis on home, describing effective and actual age, recent sales, etc.

5. Market house through personal website of marksells.ca, including several photos (as permitted by vendor).

6. Advertise additionally on company internet (wesellwoodstock.com, royallepagetriland.com, royallepage.ca) with interior and exterior photos, a 'stitched-pictures' virtual reality tour, and a 'web commercial' slide show.

7. Promote through Social Media: Facebook, Twitter (markroyallepage) & Blog (markroyallepage.blogspot.com).

8. Thorough description of home in my email newsletter which currently is sent to about 300 people.

9. Place ad on Kijiji site. Again, we're covering all the bases.

10. Conduct open houses at least once every 3 weekends. No matter price range or location, open houses also gain extra awareness through ads and notation on realtor.ca. A lot of out-of-town people are wandering every weekend around Woodstock.

11. Advertise consistent basis in Oxford Review. Rotation is minimum alternating weeks. Despite my commission split with office -- I am required to pay for these ads.

12. Agents’ MLS tour (Wednesday morning) of new listings. Active agents with active buyers preview the property.

13. Produce flyers (New Listing) delivered in mailboxes in same school zone and/or neighbourhood. Someone nearby may know a possible buyer. These 'postcards' produced by myself but our office does have an in-house marketing dept.

14. Report on results of showings as conducted by the various sales reps.

15. Market updates as competition changes - homes are listed, others adjust asking price, and some sell.

16. Qualifying buyers. Not possible at an open house, but other showings by myself would only be to qualified buyers. Triland has an in-house mortgage broker as part Dominion Lending Services.

17. Always willing to assist with finding contractors, small chores like recycling, and opening up house for out-of-town agents. Lockboxes are very common now with out-of-town Realtors selling in our market.

18. Represent you on all matters relating to offer, especially negotiating and attending formal home inspections.

19. Process successful offer through our office by distributing paper work to lawyers and others.

20. I am active in community -- not just asking for money from community. Current chair of Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee, member of Lions Club, and organizing committee for Cancer Society's Relay For Life, I continue to give back to community I enjoy living in. In turn, this involvement does supply sales leads.

Call me anytime at: (519) 537-1553.

Knights arrive at Memorial Cup event

Current OHL champions last won CHL championship in 2005

By Mark Schadenberg
LONDON -- The London Knights departed Wednesday for the Memorial Cup in Shawinigan, Quebec.
At the OHL-champion's last practice Tuesday, Dale Hunter was not at the rink. As announced by Dale on Monday it would be the club's head coach for its past 61 games (29-13 in regular season; 16-3 in playoffs), Mark Hunter, who had the whistle.
Goalie Michael Houser, who was named the Ontario Hockey League's most outstanding player (Red Tilson Award) for the regular season and in the process tied the league record for wins (46), indicated that Dale Hunter, who is club president and majority owner, will be more than just a fan.
"It's another set of eyes watching the games now," said Houser. "We're excited to have Dale back, but Mark is still the head coach, and it will be good to have Dale there in Shawinigan for support."
With Dale Hunter pulling the reins (he owns successful race horses as well as the family's farming interests), the Knights were 20-5-1, but on Nov. 28, the phone rang and the Washington Capitals were calling. Lifting Washington into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference No 7 seed, Dale would also reach Game 7 of the NHL conference semis before losing to the New York Rangers.
On Monday, Dale Hunter announced he was returning to the Knights fold.
For London, the reward for winning the OHL championship, is an opportunity to begin the Memorial Cup in a matchup against the defending champions, meeting the back-to-back QMJHL champion Saint John Sea Dogs on Saturday, May 18. It will be day two of the gruelling eight-day tournament to determine the best club in the CHL. The four-team event begins Friday with the host Shawinigan Cataractes drawing the Western Hockey League champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
The Knights won the OHL title and its J Ross Robertson Cup this past Friday, downing the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 to claim the best-of-seven 4-1.
London's roster is led by NHL undrafted goalie Houser. His MVP moniker doesn't add additional pressure.
"I don't think that adds any more pressure to me. I just tried to do my my job all year and try to win some hockey games," said Houser.
"These are some of the most important hockey games some of us will ever play. We believed in ourselves in the locker room that we had the type of team that could make some noise at playoff time," Houser added.
Mark Hunter describes the lineup as a cohesive mix of both veterans and youth with many '94 and '95 skaters shining before their time. London entered January with established names such as leading scorer Seth Griffith, along with Tampa prospect Vladislav Namestnikov, Bruins draftee Jared Knight, and a solid blueline led by Montreal first rounder Jarred Tinordi, and Team Canada junior and Penguins pick Scott Harrington. Griffith led the Knights in both the regular season (45 goals; 85 points) and playoffs (23 points).
That core was fortified with the arrival of Greg McKegg (Toronto) of nearby St. Thomas and Brett Cook from Erie, along with Austin Watson (Nashville) from Peterborough at the trade deadline. Watson, who won a Memorial Cup in 2009 with the Windsor Spitfires, was the OHL playoff MVP (99 Award) with 10 goals, seven assists and an important defensive forward role in killing penalties.
McKegg says he doesn't feel any additional hometown pressure as Tommy Hughes, Colin Martin and Brett Welychka are other London-area players on the roster.
"Hopefully I can contribute and help win a Memorial Cup," said McKegg, who had 11 playoff points despite missing the entire Kitchener playoff series due to an injury.
"I get to play in my hometown and we won the OHL championship and that was something special, but the Memorial Cup would be the best thing," he added.
The younger players of note are Max Domi (Tie's son), Bo Horvat, Chris Tierney, Josh Anderson, highly touted defenceman Olli Maatta of Finland, and twin forwards Ryan and Matt Rupert. Ryan Rupert's production in the OHL final included four goals versus the Ice Dogs -- all in road wins in St Catharines. Maatta is ranked No 8 in the final NHL Central Scouting tabulations for the upcoming draft, and was tied for the London lead in playoff points with 23, including six goals.
"(Compared to the 2005 Memorial Cup champion Knights) We have a more mixture of younger guys, who have all gelled quicker than we thought they would," said Mark Hunter on Tuesday. (TODAY)
"One thing we've done all year is play four lines and six on defence, and we have the depth in the organization to fill key holes if anyone ever gets hurt. One thing I felt we have done is not wear out our team," added Hunter, who was general manager only and not on the bench in 2005 when the Knights won its only previous Memorial Cup appearance, a title won in London.
"It's a little different now. I'm not grinding my teeth as much now because I'm trying to react to the game at ice level and I'm more involved in the play," said Hunter.
The Sea Dogs earned its way back to the Memorial Cup by sweeping the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final over Rimouski, capping the series with a lopsided 8-0 win. Head coach Gerard Gallant, who played over 600 NHL games mostly with the Red Wings as a player, won the QMJHL title twice as a player wearing a Sherbrooke jersey.
The Sea Dogs' regular season included 50 wins in 68 starts.
Memorial Cup host Shawinigan posted 45 wins in the regular season and after ousting Rouyn-Noranda in four straight were dispatched from the playoffs by Chicoutimi in seven.
Edmonton also collected 50 wins in its 72-game WHL schedule and posted an impressive 11-game win streak to end the regular season and extended that string to a total of 22 during the playoffs. However, the Oil Kings needed seven games to beat Portland in the league final.
After opening the eight-day event versus Saint John, the Knights will faceoff against the host Cataractes on Sunday at 7 p.m. before completing their portion of the round robin on Tuesday against Edmonton.
If a tiebreaker is necessary it would be played on the Thursday, while the semifinal (2nd vs 3rd) is slated for Friday, May 25, and the championship on Sunday, May 27.　MEMORIAL CUP
Full Schedule (Sportsnet TV)
Friday, May 18, 7 p.m.
Edmonton vs Shawinigan
Saturday, May 19, 7 p.m.
London vs Saint John
Sunday, May 20, 7 p.m.
London vs Shawinigan
Monday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Saint John vs Edmonton
Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m.
London vs Edmonton
Wednesday, May 23, 7 p.m.
Saint John vs Shawinigan
Thursday, May 24,
Tiebreaker, if necessary
Friday, May 25, 7 p.m.
Semifinal
Sunday, May 27, 7 p.m.
Final

King Of The Castle

Prince Edward could be your castle

I work at home; many people work at home.

If you think of a versatile home, what are some amenities you might think of?
A work-at-home would be important to me, and others. The house could also include a main-floor bedroom in case the family purchasing required an in-law suite. A large backyard with a pool would be a requirement, so that beyond the pool there was still room for a large wood deck and perhaps a garden.
With a check mark in all three of these areas, 25 Prince Edward Road, Woodstock, would be a good choice for your family.
Less than 10 years old, this 2-storey has 3 bedrooms on the second floor, but also has a main-floor room currently set up for crafts/quilting, which could fit the bill for a bedroom, if needed.
The spacious 2-car garage is set up -- at present -- with about half of its space as an office with a gas fireplace and private-entrance door so clients wouldn't need to enter your house. If your employment required (or benefited from) an at-home office -- sales, physiotherapist, or an accountant perhaps -- again 25 Prince Edward would be your destination.

   Zodiac The large pie-shape backyard is also only about one-third occupied by its fenced-in above-ground pool. For a young family, the Zodiac Royalty above-ground pool would be quite a splash as its 26' x 13' with a depth of four feet. Those dimensions make it ideal for morning laps and weekend volleyball with a group of neighbours.
Prince Edward Road is in the popular south Woodstock neighbourhood of larger family homes, which is actually a very quiet crescent. As the home is situated on the outside of the bend it creates a lot of 32' foot frontage, but is actually 124 feet along the back, and features a depth of 139 feet at its deepest point.
The brick house, with a focal point stone peaked facade, has terrific curb appeal with its front dormer directly above the front door.
The main floor features a bright white (cabinetry) eat-in kitchen with peninsula and then a dinette leading to patio doors and eventually to the large back wood deck. The formal living room has a vaulted ceiling. The main floor also includes a family room area with sparkling newer hardwood, main-floor laundry and a 2pc powder room.
The second floor highlight is the master bedroom with a long walk-in closet. The main bathroom includes a jetted tub and a separate shower. There is also a small sitting area open to the foyer below.
Listed at $299,900 (MLS: 69-105), the home also includes central vac, central air, security system, water softener, and will be sold with its washer and dryer.

  Boston Pizza & East Side Mario’sThe location is also top notch as Southside Park and pool, and the city's twin-pad arenas community complex are both very close. If you're not from Woodstock, you should know the complex has a highly regarded gymnastics club. Woodstock also has a brand new hospital just a few blocks away, plus expansive box mall shopping and countless restaurants on Norwich Avenue, two high schools in the vicinity, and a 9-hole golf course along Cedar Creek. With the 401-403 hub in Woodstock's south corner, this house would be a terrific option for a family member commuting.
For your viewing, contact me soon.
Mark Schadenberg, sales representative
Royal LePage Triland Realty
(519) 537-1553, cell & text

www.marksells.ca
www.royallepage.ca
www.wesellwoodstock.com
www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com
www.royallepagetriland.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com Twitter: markroyallepage

Knights win 2nd OHL title

London to compete for Memorial Cup

Story I wrote for The Canadian Press after last night's London championship.
    ()()()()()()()

LONDON -- After beating the IceDogs to become top dog in the OHL, the London Knights next opponents are the SeaDogs.
London is the 2011-12 Ontario Hockey League champions, edging the Niagara IceDogs 2-1 Friday at the John Labatt Centre, winning the best-of-seven final 4-1.
The Knights claim their first J Ross Robertson Cup since 2005 and just its second in franchise history, and will begin play May 18 in the Memorial Cup round robin in Shawinigan, Que, versus the defending CHL champion, and current QMJHL champion Saint John SeaDogs. London won the Memorial Cup in 2005 when it hosted the tourney.
"With such a young group of players, we didn't think we would win this early -- this year," said an elated Mark Hunter, who wears several hats -- head coach, general manager and vice president of the London Knights. "We also knew though that we had the right players in the mix like (Jarred) Tinordi, Harry (Scott Harrington), Seth Griffith, Vladdy (Vladislav Namestnikov), and of course (goalie) Michael Houser.
"I'm very proud of all my players. After I took over, the players seemed to really buy into what I was teaching," said Mark Hunter, who on Nov 28 assumed the head coaching duties when brother Dale Hunter was hired as head coach of the Washington Capitals. London had 20 wins in 26 starts at the time, and ended up 49-18-1, so were 29-13 with Mark Hunter at the helm.
Younger ('94 and '95) players referred to for the Knights include Ryan Rupert with four goals in the five-game finals, plus Max Domi, Chris Tierney and defenceman Olli Maatta who was tied for first on the club in scoring in the post-season with six goals and 23 points.
After a scoreless first period in the decisive game, London's Austin Watson slipped the puck past IceDogs' goalie Mark Visentin in a scramble in the crease. The play was rather innocently set up by Scott Harrington taken a shot from an impossible angle, but Visentin was unable to locate the puck on the blue paint.
London went up 2-0 at 1:48 into the third as Seth Griffith buried a pass from Vladislav Namesnikov on a 2-on-1. For both Griffith and Watson it was their 10th of the post-season. For Watson, who had previously won an OHL title in 2009 with Windsor, used the goal to help him earn the playoff most valuable player trophy, the 99 Award, named after Wayne Gretzky.
The lone Niagara goal was by Tom Kuhnhackl 7:53 into the third period.
Niagara would outshot the Knights 27-22 on the contest, but were 0-for-4 on the powerplay including an inability to beat Houser during a pivotal four-minute advantage when it was still scoreless early in the second. The double minor had been assessed to Knights' defenceman Jarred Tinordi.
Houser would stop 26 of 27 pucks for London, who were 0-for-3 on the powerplay.
OHL commissioner David Branch pointed out to the loud arena that London won 16 of 19 playoff games.
In the series, Niagara won the opener 3-2 in double overtime and led Game 2 at one point 2-0 before London took control, skating to a 5-3 victory
Proud of winning the playoff MVP, Watson described his elation, saying the Knights are a team that had its doubters.
"The biggest thing is winning the OHL championship. We worked so hard for an entire year and grew together so much after the trade deadline," said Watson, who had 10 goals and seven assists in the playoffs.
"Bringing the OHL championship to London is awesome.
"We have to give Niagara credit, they never quit," continued Watson. "Even going down 3-1 in the series Niagara gave us a tough tough game."
Captain Tinordi said the bench stayed composed down the stretch in maintaining its late lead.
"We're confident in our team, we're confident in Houser and we were confident in all our guys playing the right way and staying with the game plan."
The Memorial Cup will also include host Shawinigan and the WHL champions, either Portland or Edmonton.
"The ultimate goal is to win the Memorial Cup," said Harrington. "We were always confident in our capabilities and everyone (on our team) came to play every night."
For Niagara, it was a club with 12 NHL drafted players and after a slow start of just three wins in 10 starts to begin the season, entered the playoffs with 44 wins in its final 58 games. Coach Marty Williamson also lost in the 2010 finals as head coach of the Barrie Colts.

Building a highway through a farm ?

Thriving B&B threatened by Strasburg Road extension
Terry Pender, Waterloo Region Record: April 29.

KITCHENER — Monika Ruttkowski drives a vintage tractor over farm fields around her 140-year-old stone house with a worried eye cast to the north.
Strasburg Road will be extended southward to carry thousands of vehicles a day in and out of a large new subdivision called Doon South Phase II. The preferred route at this point will cut her property in half. The four-lane road will pass within 25 metres of the house where she operates a thriving bed and breakfast. A roundabout will be located just north of her home.
After buying the fieldstone house in 1984, she and her husband spent more than $300,000 on renovations and additions. Wedding receptions, retreats and corporate meetings are held there. Tourists from the U.S. and Europe regularly stay there when taking in plays in Stratford.
"Already, I am booked to the end of September," Ruttkowski says during an interview at her dining room table.
At least once a month there is a knock at the door. A developer’s representative wants to talk about buying her 40-hectare property. Ruttkowski always refuses.
Born in Germany near the beginning of the Second World War, she has childhood memories of fleeing with her mother on roads of refugees. After growing up in the bloody chaos of mid-20th-century Europe, Ruttkowski and her late husband wanted a peaceful place with a little farm where they could run a bed and breakfast, grow their own food and enjoy the company of travellers.
"This was the dream for us," Ruttkowski says. "I have moved enough, this is where I want to stay."
Just below her property is a woodlot and marsh — the headwaters of Blair Creek, the only remaining cold-water trout stream in the city. Trilliums and other wildflowers are blooming there. Whitetail deer, turkeys, raccoons, beavers, squirrels, turtles and other wildlife are frequently seen on the property, which includes a large, spring-fed pond. An environmental assessment now underway has identified five possible routes for the extension of Strasburg Road. Part of this area is a significant-groundwater recharge area, and the preferred route for the roadway goes right through this sensitive landscape.
"It makes no sense," says Alison Jackson, one of Ruttkowski’s supporters. "You can run a bus right through their arguments."
The city’s environmental advisory committee formed a special group to study the issue, and it rejected the preferred route identified in the draft environmental assessment. Jackson says the city should go with the first alternative identified in the environmental assessment, which has the road to the west of Ruttkowski’s property skirting the edge of the groundwater recharge areas and the headwaters of Blair Creek.
Developers have long-eyed this area of south Kitchener. They took the city to a provincial tribunal that rules on land-use disputes — Ontario Municipal Board — to speed up the process for planning new subdivisions.
Homer Watson Boulevard and New Dundee Road provide access from the east and south. The Strasburg Road extension will be needed for access from the north and west. The extension will cost an estimated $15 million to $17 million and construction is years away.
While she waits for the studies to be finished, Ruttkowski fears she may be forced by the city to sell her land in the future to make way for the road.