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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-17-013 - Potential Facility Partnership with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in Huron South Area REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 13, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand,Director Community Programs and Services, 519-741-2200 ext. 7687 PREPARED BY: Mark Hildebrand,Director Community Programs and Services, 519-741-2200 ext. 7687 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 5 DATE OF REPORT: January 30, 2017 REPORT NO.: CSD-17-013 SUBJECT: Potential Facility Partnership with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in Huron South area ___________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That staff be directed to report back to a future 2017 Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting with details regarding a potential partnership with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to add dedicated community space to its new Huron-Brigadoon site, within the Huron Woods area, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-17-013. BACKGROUND: As part of the Council approved 2016 business plan, staff was directed to investigate and report back on potential partnership opportunities with the Public and Catholic school boards, for a joint school and community centre, within the Huron Woods community. potential partnership opportunities REPORT: Given the projected growth in the Huron South planning area, there are opportunities for a potential partnership in the joint development of a school/community centre facility, as both school boards plan for school facilities within the Huron Woods community. Staff is recommending that the City enter into potential partnership discussions with the Catholic District School Board because their proposed site is closest to the suggested community centre location outlined in the Rosenberg Secondary Plan. However, if it is found through discussions that a joint facility is not feasible with the Catholic School *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 3 - 1 Board, the Public School Board, who are planning for a school on a site further east in Huron Woods, can also be approached and the same potential partnership investigated. The Catholic school board has actively beenlooking for partners to join them in their elementary school build in the Huron South area. They plan to build an elementary school, with the capacity of 450 children, on a six acre site in the Brigadoon-Huron area. This site is located south of Huron road, opposite of Woodbine Avenue. The Catholic District School Board would like to start the planning for this facility as soon as possible, however timing largely depends on when servicing can be provided to this area of the city. Currently, it is estimated that a facility in this area would service a population of approximately 10,900 people; growing to approximately 29,300 people once the area is completely built-out into the future. Any co-build of a school with community space would require the City to pay the construction and operating costs associated with dedicated community space.At this tial community space in the Huron South area. The Rosenberg Secondary Plan does consider a potential small-scale community centre for the mixed use area south of Huron Road and east of Fischer Hallman Road. Although not attached to a school, a community centre has been shown as an important facility in this community into the future. In 2019 as part of the business plan for the Community Programs and Services Division, a Community Centres/Neighbourhood Spaces Master Plan will be started to identify the community space needs across the city. As a part of this study, it is highly likely a recommendation will be made for some community space for this area of the city given its location and projected growth. Unfortunately, by the time this master plan is completed (in 2019) and recommendations presented, both schools in the area would be planned and/or built and the City would have lost an opportunity to leverage cost savings associated with building a joint facility with the school board. Once servicing to the site is completed, it is anticipated that the Catholic School Board will begin the construction of their new school immediately. Staff would like to engage in detailed discussions with the Catholic School Board and investigate the costs (and cost savings) associated with partnering in the development of a school with dedicated community space, and bring this information back to Council for discussion and consideration. 3 - 2 ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Strategic Priority: Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods Strategy: 3.6 - Provide opportunities and support for citizens to lead the way in creating active and vibrant health, happiness and well-being by capitalizing on local community assets such as community centres, pools, arenas, libraries, parks, trails and other public spaces. Strategic Action: #NB14Huron Woods Community Centre Partnership Explore the potential for a partnership with the school board for the development of a community centre in the Huron Woods neighbourhood. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Currently, there is no funding for community space in the Huron South area within the associated with partnering and building a joint facility with the school board, and are therefore recommending investigating this partnership now, bringing back details later in COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM This report has been posted to advance of the council / committee meeting. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO Community Services 3 - 3