KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Meeting to be held on Kanata North Recreation Complex

On Wednesday, Oct.16, at the Earl of March High School, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., there will be a public open house and discussion on the Recreation Complex that is to be built on Innovation Drive in Kanata North. This facility is primarily designed to serve not only residents of Kanata North and West Carleton but to also provide additional facilities for residents in Kanata South, Stittsville and beyond. All are welcome to attend and to provide their viewpoints. At the meeting, you will be able to see some preliminary drawings on how the property can be developed, both within a structure and outside. Plans call for an eight lane pool, a training pool, a fitness centre including a section for children a youth centre, meeting rooms, an indoor running track, soccer fields, a skateboard park, play structures, splash pad, Outdoor Education Centre and much more. The Citizen Advisory Committee will be present along with the consultant working on preliminary plans, as well as city staff, representatives of the Y who are a partner in this project, and city councillors. As well as viewing the preliminary plans, there will be an opportunity to discuss what you would like to see in the centre. Once preliminary planning is complete, the city will put out a design-build tender in late spring/early summer with construction expected to start later in 2010. Completion is scheduled for 2012. Young people are also urged to attend to put their suggestions forward. Having this centre built was one of the commitments I made at the last election and Im pleased that it is moving forward. Many thanks to the volunteers on the Advisory Committee who are providing community input and helping make this a fantastic facility for our area.

Snow
With the first flakes of snow falling, remember to keep your car off the road when a winter advisory is given. To ensure you know when such an advisory starts and ends, sign up at ottawa.ca/winterparking for email notification. Remember to slow down in winter conditions to avoid an accident involving yourself or others.

Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Torch Relay will pass through Kanata on Sunday, Dec. 13. The route will start at the Hazeldean/Eagleson intersection at 8:08 a.m., and then proceed down Hazeldean Road to Terry Fox, arriving there at 8:24 a.m. It will then proceed north along Terry Fox to Palladium Drive, and then follow

Palladium Drive to Scotiabank Place, arriving there at 8:54 a.m. I urge all residents of Kanata to come out to cheer on the torch carriers. The previous day, the Relay will arrive at City Hall at 2:16 p.m. where a ceremony will be led by the Mayor. Local Olympians Greg Joy, Sue Holloway and Elizabeth Manley will participate. At 5:30 p.m. on the 12th a community festival will start at Parliament Hill, featuring Gregory Charles composer of the official song leading a massed choir, an aboriginal dance, and Tom Cochrane. Olympians Nathalie Lambert and Steve Podborski are masters of ceremony. The torch will arrive at 7 p.m., following which 300,000 Christmas lights will be illuminated.

South March Public School

On Thursday, I attended the official opening of the South March Public School, a much needed school in the Briarbrook community. This school is also providing an opportunity for new recreation programs in the community. Starting in January 2010, the City of Ottawa will be offering an Open Gym for youth on Fridays and Soccer Playtime, Soccer Skills & Basketball for preschoolers and children on Saturdays. For details and registration information contact Beata Arseneault at 613-580-2424 ext. 33501 or beata.arseneault@ottawa.ca.

Coming events
Dec. 12, 2:16 p.m. Arrival of Olympic Torch at City Hall Dec. 13, 8:08-8:54 a.m. Olympic Torch in Kanata Dec. 16, 6:30 9 p.m. Public Meeting on Kanata North Recreation Centre, Earl of March High School Cafeteria

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion, contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.