Deadline to submit purchase proposal is Aug 15

CBRE is promoting old hospital site for development

By Mark Schadenberg

The site of the former Woodstock General Hospital on Riddell Street is on the market and is listed by CBRE.

It’s been discussed in this space previously, but the plan is to sell the land to one or more residential builders and for the acreage to be developed into both low and medium density homes. This translates into nothing higher than likely a 3-storey structure, but more likely a mix of townhouses and detached homes.

Always always always keep in mind that site plan and subdivision proposals must eventually (later) also get the blessing of the good folks on city council.

If you stare long enough at the listing posted by www.cbre.ca (historically called CB Richard Ellis), you will note that the parcels are on both sides of Riddell Street in the blocks surrounded by Brant and Vincent streets.

Land is two parcels

As this process has been in the works since before the aging healthcare facility closed its doors in November of 2011, both the city and county councils have rezoned the property (about 8.4 acres; 6.4 acres on hospital site and 1.97 acres across street in previous staff parking area) from community facility to low/medium density use. However, a nursing home, private school or even a church could qualify under this designation.

It will be interesting to watch this process continue in its evolution as the time needed to tear down the olde buildings has only been a small fraction of the ‘new look’ planned. Parts of the former hospital dated back to the 1800s and the demolition (contract was awarded to Priestly Inc by the Board Of Trust) has included salvaging or recycling as much as possible.  

The actual selling of this vacant land with the assistance of CBRE (with the offers considered by the hospital board of trust) will be by a modified tender submission with the deadline of August 15.

The CBRE contact is broker Kevin MacDougall at (519) 673-6444.

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A Woodstock Hospital background press release

LINK:

http://www.wgh.on.ca/wgh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=557&Itemid=327

Woodstock Sentinel-Review story

LINK:

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2013/07/03/woodstock-general-hospital-property-officially-on-the-market

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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

Built by VanEl, ranch condominium just listed

Better-than-new Anzio condo is waiting for you

By Mark Schadenberg

Sometimes a two-year-old home can be better than a brand new house, especially when the owner has added items like a remote control awning, six high-end appliances and custom window treatments.

I just listed a sparkling like-new Anzio Road end-unit ranch condo with a 2-car garage (attached) in the Parrott Landing complex.

It truly represents the convenience of a condominium lifestyle combined with living on the frontage of a city street as detached luxury executive-like homes are across the street. Sometimes living on the inside (infield) of a condo townhouse complex lacks the feel of a normal city streetscape.

VanEl is from Brantford

This spacious open concept ranch unit (1250 + sq ft on main floor) is the 'Damson' plan by VanEl. (www.vanel.ca; David VanElslander)

The builder is based in Brantford and has built similar complexes in Brantford, Paris, Simcoe, Delhi, Port Dover, and Cambridge, along with two others in Woodstock – Lorene Street and Heron’s Landing. Their website mentions a total construction number over 800 units – a construction company founded in 1988.

This home includes upgraded cabinetry and countertops in the kitchen, featuring an island with breakfast bar, plus 4 high-end stainless appliances included. 

The main floor laundry (washer and dryer included) is also an amenity expected by anyone shopping for this style of condo.

The mostly finished lower level includes a 28' x 16' recroom, a third bedroom and a 4pc bathroom.

Built by VanEl, the condominium fee is $195.00.

Do you like to travel?

The ideal buyer is an empty-nester couple who enjoys to travel and is maybe a winter Florida sun seeker.

As Canadians, we wait all winter for the warm sun, but the back wood deck here has a remote control for its shade awning.

Inquire today about your personal viewing of 792 Anzio Road.

MLS: 71753 

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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

New listing is near schools and Southside Park

Pavey bungalow is a solid red brick 'home'

By Mark Schadenberg

A true family home is just that – a house a family built and then raised a family in, and then passes the house on to the next generation.

Built in 1952, the red brick bungalow at the corner of Pavey and Fyfe has been owned by one family . . . and one family only.

This 3-bedroom house features an excellent 1.5-car detached garage with a poured concrete floor and newer door and vinyl siding.

More importantly, this house features 60 years of family memories.

Today, it includes a lifetime steel roof, renovated main bathroom, central air, refinished hardwood floors, and an updated breaker box for hydro service.

There is an interlocking brick walkway at the back door leading up to a spacious wood deck. The paved driveway is in terrific condition.

Conveniently near both Oliver Stephens public grade school and College Avenue Secondary School, this location includes good proximity to box mall shopping and numerous restaurants, Southside Park and its pool and skateboard park, Cedar Creek golf course, and the 401-403    crossroads for commuters.

If you have interest in this ‘family’ home, contact me for a viewing.

   

735 Pavey Street

MLS: 71740

family

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

www.royallepage.ca

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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

Tim Hortons sponsors free swimming dates and times

Free swimming days offered again in summer of 2013

By Mark Schadenberg

Lions Pool is more than 60 years old and has obviously become part of Woodstock tradition.

Built by the Lions Club in 1946 for Woodstock youth, but later purchased by the city (1965 seems to be the year most agree on), Lions Pool is on Vansittart Avenue and continues to be a popular outdoor pool locally.

Combined with the indoor Southside Aquatics Centre on Finkle Street and on the edge of Southside Park, Woodstock has two swimming destinations. Lessons are offered at both locations and there’s even a summer swim team at Lions Pool.

Call 421-POOL or 539-4601 for more details, or flip through the summer What’s On Woodstock magazine which has already been distributed through the Oxford Shopping News.

Southside Pool also includes the Spray N Play water park for hot days and cool refreshment for children.

If your children seek a summer camp, call 421-POOL (7665) as the pool is also the headquarters for other summertime activities.

FREE SWIMMING

Over the past few summers, the good folks at Tim Hortons have sponsored free swimming days in Woodstock. Be sure to look at the dates and times posted below.

Brand new retirement home for independant lifestyle

Cedarview taking shape at Finkle & Juliana

By Mark Schadenberg

The view from many rooms at Cedarview will be Woodstock’s new hospital and that’s a good thing.

Another good thing is watching the construction process of Woodstock’s newest retirement home as it springs up at the corner of Juliana and Finkle.

Another well-needed independent-living retirement home for our city – a 4-storey ‘apartment’ style building to include 124 units for seniors, but with countless activities and amenities, starting with three meals a day in well-appointed dining areas.

Built by Hawthorn Retirement Group, the American based company already has similar residences in Cambridge, Guelph and Cobourg in Ontario, along with two in Saskatchewan.

The philosophy for Hawthorn (www.seniorlivinginstyle.com), including this Woodstock project, is to feature solely independent living, which translates into tenants not having 24-hour access to nurses and healthcare advice, but most certainly enjoying all aspects of similar residences.

I talked by phone with Craig Wonnell, who is employed in marketing with the Cambridge home called Heritage Meadows on Hespeler Road, and he noted that occupancy is slated to begin later this year. He will be on site himself to conduct tours in a few weeks. However, you can register now for a waiting list and to reserve your name.

The Woodstock home is to be called Cedarview and will feature a movie theatre, fitness centre, games room with billiards, chapel, and even a hair salon.

Elevators & Other Amenities

The focus on what the company describes as ‘gracious retirement living’, is for tenants to be fully independent, and that additional features / services will include security, elevators, laundry and housekeeping. Rent or accommodation costs will include meals and all utilities, except for telephone.

With its location within walking distance of the Norwich Avenue box mall and its countless restaurants, Southside Aquatic Centre (Southside Park), close to Cedar Creek golf, and obviously across the street from the hospital, its address is well chosen.

Various options will be available – small studio apartments approximately 500 sq ft, 1-bedroom units, and 2-bedroom apartments (up to 1,000 sq ft) as well.

Anyone wanting to discover what the final construction will look like, can review the company website, especially the Cambridge home, which includes several editions of its newsletter noting the many activities available there. Better yet, call Heritage Meadows at either (519) 620-9999 or (226) 318-0457 and ask for Craig or Elaina Wonnell. Be sure to mention my name.

They are now compiling a waiting list, which anyone can register on for a fully refundable $100 deposit. By adding your name now, you can also be first in line when selecting your apartment.

Again, I have yet to see the building permit value on the Hawthorn home under construction locally, but it would begin at $2 million.

Hawthorn: We believe that “Gracious Retirement Living” is so much more than walls and windows - it's a place to enjoy home-cooked meals, game night, or a quiet evening with family and friends. It's where you always feel comfortable, safe, and secure.
At Heritage Meadows, our management teams live on-site, and are available 24 hours a day. Our food is truly made from scratch, and served right to your table along with a smile from our friendly staff."

Mark Schadenberg

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

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Sales Rep

Royal LePage Triland Realty

(519) 537-1553 - text or call

mschadenberg@rogers.com - email

Another accomplishment for Recreation Advisory Committee

Marlboro Court receives new playground equipment

By Mark Schadenberg

The Woodstock Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) keeps me busy. Lots of items reach our agenda – sometimes as an update and sometimes to truly offer our opinion to city staff or city council.

While I am the current chair of WRAC, our group includes 10 local volunteers (local tax paying / home owners can apply to volunteer), two from city council (Bill Bes and Paul Plant currently), and three from city staff including parks and recreation director Brian Connors.

WRAC is currently a positive influence in the development of a recreational complex on the 95 acres of city-owned land with Devonshire frontage known as the Woodall Woods Farm. Phase One would (could) include 5 baseball (slo-pitch and/or fastball) diamonds.

Annually, during city budget time, our committee does receive a look at where dollars will be spent or could be spent in the future. Our committee was the group which nominated the name for a new city park on Lakeview Drive in the Sally Creek subdivision.

Marlboro park

My writings today may sound like a pat on the back, but it depicts the fact that there are no small projects and that everything is on a checklist somewhere. One of my comments to parks chief Chris Kern was to assess the condition of a tiny park on Marlboro Court (Street starts beside my Royal LePage real estate office at 757 Dundas).

This week – as I sit behind my keyboard – this small parkette is receiving brand new playground equipment. It might just be the city’s smallest community / neighbourhood recreation destination? The structure that was there included a swing set and other old (very old) children’s play centre equipment, like an ancient teeter-totter. If you had seen this see-saw yourself, you would have wanted to saw it down and seen a way to replace it yourself.

Counting on ABC

This week the ABC company (www.abcrecreation.com) based in nearby Paris is installing a brand new slide-and-climbing apparatus (see photo). ABC is a good group to work with because they’re local, built the full-inclusive structure in Southside Park, and also specialize in other park accessories including outdoor shelters and furniture.   

As a parent of two children under eight, I tour the City to check out various parks and my family has discovered many good destinations. Every park is geared to a specific neighbourhood and demographics are considered, but at the end of the day each park is owned by everyone on the list of those who dole out dollars to the 500 Dundas tax department.

I’m always thinking about Woodstock. 

Keep that in mind when you’re thinking 

about buying a home in Woodstock

Mark Schadenberg, Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas St, Woodstock

www.wesellwoodstock.com

(519) 537-1553, cell or text

www.marksells.ca

www.markroyallepage.blogspot.com

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Twitter: markroyallepage

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

New-look and new identity for Ontario Place

Steely Dan, Bruno Mars and Barenaked Ladies

By Mark Schadenberg

While Ontario Place continues to function for outdoor concerts – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre (909 Lakeshore Blvd), the former amusement park itself will soon be under a complete re-focus.

The provincial government released its intentions today (June 26).

Meanwhile, if you want to attend the old venue for a rock concert, according to www.ticketmaster.ca tickets are still remaining for Bruno Mars on July 3 and 6, plus Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls are there tomorrow.

Other summer shows include:

Barenaked Ladies – July 11

Great Big Sea – July 13

Bob Dylan – July 15

Jonas Brothers – July 18

Steely Dan – July 21

Heart – July 23

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Ontario Place redevelopment to feature free waterfront park

Waterloo Region Record

TORONTO — The provincial government revealed its plans for the future of Ontario Place on Wednesday.

Tourism Minister Michael Chan says the Toronto amusement park, which was closed last year after decades of declining attendance, will be turned into an urban park with free public access to the waterfront.

The province will convert up to three hectares of the existing site into green space, opening up part of the waterfront that has been closed to the public for more than 40 years.

The public is also invited to submit ideas for the park, to be located along a portion of the east island of Ontario Place currently being used as a parking lot.

Pan-Am Games timetable

The new urban park and trail will link to the existing 780-kilometre waterfront trail system and Chan says it's hoped it will be ready in time for the 2015 Pan-Am Games in Toronto.

But the park and trail are just the first step in the Ontario Place revitalization and the province still doesn't have a clear plan for the rest of the park.

Chan said the waterfront amusement park has cost the Ontario government about $20 million a year and attendance has dropped from 2.5 million when it opened in 1971 to about 300,000 a year.

Last year, the governing Liberals endorsed all 18 recommendations made by a provincial advisory panel on how to redevelop the aging park. The panel is headed by former Progressive Conservative leader John Tory, who said the vast majority of Ontario Place should be an open park.

You could live there?

The plan calls for a portion of the site to be devoted to private residences, a hotel and a resort complex.

The cash-strapped province closed most of Ontario Place in February 2012 to help trim a $15-billion deficit, saying it couldn't afford to keep the park open.

The Canadian Press