King City will be included in site search for rec facility
By Bill Rea

It looks like King Township might not get its free municipal hall next to the museum, but there's no definite word that a recreation facility will be going there either.

Councillor Steve Pellegrini had put forth a motion, debated at the last council meeting, calling on Township staff to approach the developer who proposed the municipal hall, and discuss the possibility of the recreation building, in line with what was proposed a couple of years ago by the local Lions clubs.

In the end, councillors unanimously agreed to include the lands next to the museum in a study of possible sites for the recreation facility.

Councillors heard from Nobleton Lion Paul Olsen, expressing the desire of the three local clubs to see the project they proposed a couple of years ago move ahead.

"We recognize that a project of this magnitude will take some time to bring to fruition, but we feel it is critical that the initial steps be taken now," he said.

It was the Lions clubs that initiated and financed the feasibility study on the proposal, with the help of a Trillium Foundation grant. Olsen said the study did not specify a location "for a very specific reason," adding it did set out the particular factors that were to be considered in the process. He also agreed the area next to the museum, which Pellegrini had suggested, might be suitable.

At least 17 acres was suggested, and Olsen said they had decided the preferred site would be in either Nobleton or King City, with access to King Road.

He added the Lions "want this project moved forward as expeditiously as possible, while at the same time ensuring that it proceed and be completed in a manner that serves the best interests of all the residents of King Township."

There was little debate that such a facility is needed in King. Mayor Margaret Black said she would use it herself, observing she has to use a multi-use facility in another municipality because there is none here.

Councillor Linda Pabst agreed with the need to find the best location, stating staff should look into it, and present their findings to council and the public.

She suggested a possible site could be in Nobleton, since there's likely to be a surplus in school land once the proposed Slokker subdivision goes through.

Pabst also observed the suggestion of a municipal hall was just part of the negotiations involving the Township that have been taking place with developers as the new sewer system for King City nears completion. She argued municipal offices should have nothing to do with the sewers.

Black was ready to go along with a study to find the best site, as long as King City is included and that the proposed location is subject to a public hearing.

Councillor Jane Underhill said she could not support any kind of contribution from a developer in King City. "Any money, I think, should go to the residents to pay their costs of the sewers," she remarked.

Underhill added she had no objections to seeing a recreation facility on these lands, adding it should be included in the development charges collected in the village.

Township CAO Scott Somerville told Pellegrini there had been a general understanding with the developer regarding the municipal hall, not a deal. He added the negotiations had not been completed, and discussions were on hold pending the results of the debate on Pellegrini's motion.

Pellegrini argued if the developer in the west end of the village was going to back out of his offer, the Township should back off installing sewers to the west and concentrate more on the east.

Somerville stressed negotiations are on-going. He added a benefit of having sewers to the west is they can service potential employment land, and that alone might be worth the effort and expense.

Pellegrini said he would be glad to amend his motion.

Somerville also pointed out this project would tie into the Township's parks master plan. Pabst added it would have to be in place sometime between 2009 and 2013.

"This is long-term planning and big-time financing," Somerville remarked.

Councillor Bill Cober commented that to get a facility finished by 2013, they had to get started. He also pointed out the developer's offer regarding the municipal hall could save the Township a lot of money, and suggested Somerville keep that in his pocket as negotiations go forward.

Somerville agreed he didn't want to be tied down

while negotiating. He suggested waiting to see what the negotiations produce, and then staff can report back to council, where decisions can be made.

He also stressed the importance of finding the right place for the recreation facility.

"It's a big project. It's a big deal. It's a very important process," he remarked. "It's a special place for a special municipality. You want to make sure you do it right."