Slokker will contribute to new Catholic church
By Bill Rea

The steering committee working on getting the new St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nobleton built met with the public again last Wednesday. They include Chris Andrews, Elio Bellon, Fr. Paul Hancko, Livio Mascarin and Paul Colucci.

The details still have to be worked out, but Slokker Canada is going to be making some contribution to the efforts to build a new Catholic church for the St. Mary's congregation in Nobleton.

Slokker president Bruce Kerr made the pledge last Wednesday night at the second open meeting of the steering committee working on the project.

Slokker is planning a 698-lot subdivision on lands across Highway 27 from the site of the proposed church.

Kerr told people at the meeting there will be a lot of details to sort out in the coming months, and once they're out of the way, more details will be forthcoming.

"Just give us time," he said. "We'll be there."

The Slokker development received Ontario Municipal Board approval last year, and Kerr said a subdivision agreement should be going to Township council sometime in March or April. He added the sewage treatment plant should be going to tender in the spring. It will take about 15 months to build and he's hoping to get construction started this year. He also hoped to see homes being constructed by the end of 2008.

Kerr estimated infrastructure services should be at the church property in four or five years.

The church is slated to go at the northwest corner of Highway 27 and Mactaggart Drive. Since that will be the main entrance to the Slokker development, Kerr said there are going to be major improvements there, including signals. He also said there will be a commercial area on the east side of the highway, which he said would provide overflow parking for the church.

Kerr said the two local school boards have estimated the families moving into the subdivision will be roughly half and half public and separate school supporters, but he disagreed. "I think it's going to be more separate school supporters," he remarked.

He also pointed out that getting the church built benefits Slokker. Having a church in the neighbourhood is a marketing tool.

Committee chair Elio Bellon said things are progressing at the arch diocese level. Ideas have been submitted to the Chancery so they can sign off on it.

Preparation of the construction documents is in progress, and they're working on the exact specifications. He added the site plan agreement application process can take some time.

"We can do a lot of these things at the same time," he remarked.

The coffers are filling up to pay for the church. Between money on hand and pledges, Bellon said they are up to $600,000. It had previously been decided to phase the project, with the first phase slated to cost about $2 million. Once the parish raises half of that, the arch diocese will be able to put up the other half in a loan. So he said they need another $400,000 to get things rolling.

Bellon said there has been contact with contractors, and the price estimates for the first phase have been "exactly what we anticipated."

"It's on the high end," he said, "but it's better to be high than low and be surprised after."

The first phase will include the basics of the church, meaning there will initially be no tower, finished basement, pews or asphalt in the parking lot. There will be a balcony, but it won't be finished in the first phase

Bellon said there are about 400 families in the area who have not yet been canvassed, and considered what would happen if each of them committed $2,000.

He also stressed the need to look to the future. "We have to leave a legacy here for future generations," he declared, adding they are planning to build a sturdy structure that could last a couple of hundred years.

Committee member Livio Mascarin also pointed out a charitable contribution means a tax refund from the government. He said someone putting up $2,000 could get as much as $1,160 back.

"The more we get faster, the more we can dig that hole and start," he observed, adding there's been nothing but praise from the chancery, but they now need the money on the table.

Bellon added the momentum of the project was slowed for a couple of years, largely because of rapid changes in pastors, but things are picking up. He also urged people not to wait for their neighbours to make contributions, but to take the initiative themselves. "Everything will snowball," he said.

The committee used the occasion to introduce a booklet with items people might want to donate, such as stained-glass windows, Stations of the Cross, etc.

Bellon said these items won't be going in until construction has advanced to a certain stage, but he said people can put up the money for them, and those funds will go into the account to get the project moving. As well, he said they are hoping to receive gifts in kind, which should help cut down on the costs.

Bellon also said there will be a large plaque in the Narthex listing the names of all who donated to the project.

"Everyone will be acknowledged," he declared. "Everyone."

He added they are looking at creating a book about the project, with pictures of construction, as well as families who contributed.

"Don't worry about being acknowledged," he said.

One man at the meeting liked the idea of seeking $2,000 per family.

"How do we get started on that," he asked.

"You take out your cheque book," Bellon replied.

He added chancery requires the steering committee to set up three subcommittees; one responsible for the building, one for finances and one for fund-raising. He said they are open to ideas on how to set them up.

Committee member Chris Andrews said the subcommittees will be established in the next week or so.

"I want to see the names come forward," Bellon added.

The next meeting of the committee will be March 20. Fr. Paul Hancko urged everyone to remain optimistic.

"Please be positive," he said. "It's absolutely essential to be positive."