KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North KANATA NORTH RECREATION CENTRE

Over the past few years, the City has been working with the YMCA to enhance the Kanata North Recreation Centre to be built on Innovation Drive. Recently, the YMCA (Y) has indicated some difficulty in providing their $6 million dollar contribution to the project. These funds were to pay for enhancing the building ($5 million) and adding additional equipment ($1 million). With completion of construction, the City was to enter into an agreement with the Y to operate the building. Without the Y funding, the City needs to reduce the size of the building to fit within the Citys funds, which have already been committed, in the amount of $43 million, 90% of which comes from the development charges collected on new construction. I am following up with the Y, and investigating other possible solutions of funding as I would like to see features, such as a second gym, retained. With the possible future expansion of the urban boundary to the north (as recommended by staff in 2009 and presently subject to an OMB hearing) funds will become available in the future and the need for facilities will increase. There will be no impact on the community meeting facilities or the pool area. The community fundraising group is actively involved in raising the $1.75 million needed for enhancement of those facilities. As well as discussing alternatives with the Y, I will be meeting with the community advisory committee next week to discuss options. It is unfortunate that this is causing a delay in beginning the construction, as this in turn, will delay the opening to 2013. Once a decision is made on the way in which to proceed, I will be calling a public meeting. At this meeting, interested residents can participate in forward planning to ensure this much needed facility is constructed.

PARKING RULES
There are two key parking regulations, for which there are no road signs, but which can result in tickets being issued. The first is the three hour rule, which has been in place for many years, including in the former City of Kanata. This rule states that you cannot park on a public street, which does not have signs regulating parking, for more than 3 hours during the day. Tickets are only issued on a complaint basis, which may come from individuals or from emergency

personnel if the parking is hindering the movement of emergency vehicles or school buses. The second issue is overnight parking in the winter. When Environment Canada forecasts a snow accumulation of 7 cm or more overnight parking restrictions automatically come into effect from 1 am to 7 am. This means that you must not park your vehicles on the street. Vehicles remaining parked will be ticketed and may be towed. Snow plowing and snow removal are affected by parked vehicles, so make sure yours is moved off the street so that your street can be cleared properly. Sign up for the Citys free winter Parking e-Alerts or Twitter notification at www.ottawa.ca/winterparking or call 311. Note that the parking restrictions may last for several days so be sure to check the time of lifting the restriction.

HELP WITH YOUR HYDRO BILL

Hydro Ottawa will no longer require security deposits on residential properties. Any deposits presently on hold will be credited against your next hydro bill(s). Hydro Ottawa customers who find it difficult to pay their bill may be eligible to receive emergency financial relief through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). The program is administered by the Salvation Army. For more information or to apply call 613-241-1573. Hydro Ottawa also has a $100,000 Brighter Tomorrow fund, administered by United Way Ottawa to help agencies serving people, who are homeless or at the risk of being homeless, to invest in energy efficient programs. Agencies have until March 31, 2011 to submit proposals for funding. Details are on the Brighter Tomorrow website.

COMING EVENTS
Mar 28 next Ward Council meeting

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.