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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2025-01-23 K!TCHENER Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: January 23, 2025 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Tamara Cooper (Co-Chair),Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair),Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Heather Harris, Carrie Speers, LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Kaitlin Bos (Township of Wilmot), Teresa McQuillin, Paula Saunders,Ashley Good (Township of North Dumfries), Sarah Boghossian, Heather Gillespie, Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Councillor Sandra Hanmer(City of Waterloo), Katherine Waybrant, Robyn Jackson (Independent Living Centre), Councillor Stephanie Stretch (City of Kitchener), Councillor Chantal Huinink(Region of Waterloo), Christine Nishiwaki, Karen Hutchinson, Friday Saleh, Fazia Mazhar Regrets: Farshid Sadatsharifi,Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Claire Gourlie, David Fish 1. Commencement 1.1 Land Acknowledgement We would like to begin by acknowledging the land on which we gather today, recognizing that the land in which we gather today is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee,Anishnawbe and Chonnonton peoples.We would also like to acknowledge the enduring knowledge,presence and deep-rooted traditions of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit who continue to enrich our community to this day. 2. New Committee Member Orientation Staff lead the newly appointed and several returning members through a new Committee Orientation Comments/Feedback • What does it take to put together a subcommittee and/or table a subcommittee i.e. Active Transportation (GRT). Regional staff to provide an update on how GRT engages with the community and stakeholders. 3. Minutes for Approval That the minutes of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held December 19, 2024, as circulated to the members, be accepted. 4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests None 5. Delegations None 6. Discussion Items 6.1 Introductions 6.2 Accessibility Status Plan Update-North Dumfries Ashley Good, Clerk, North Dumfries 1 As outlined in the status update attached to the agenda, North Dumfries staff shared 2024 highlights. Comments/Feedback • Committee members suggested it would be beneficial for North Dumfries staff to reach out to the BUILT Environment subcommittee in order to set up audits before the work has been completed (in the planning stage would be ideal). • Will the new pathways be maintained in the winter—contract for winter maintenance includes the new pathways • When the term "Universal"washroom is used, please ensure that an adult change table and chair lift are included Staff to check to ensure both have been included in the design and get back to the committee. 6.3 Accessibility Status Plan Update-City of Waterloo Amy Ross,Accessibility Advocate, City of Waterloo As outlined in the status update attached to the agenda, City of Waterloo staff shared 2024 highlights as outlined in the status update attached to the agenda. 7. Recess 8. Discussion Items continued 8.1 Built Environment Sub-Committee Project Updates Paula Saunders, Member, Built Environment Sub-Committee No update 8.2 Albert McCormick Arena, City of Waterloo Mary Cathryn Lorentz, Project Coordinator, Capital Program and Project Management, City of Waterloo Improve energy efficiency & reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Key upgrades: • Building enclosure improvements • Enhanced controls • Dehumidification systems • LED lighting installation • Refrigeration upgrades • Electrification of heating systems • New washroom corridor Accessibility Enhancements: • Addition of a universal washroom • Updates to existing changerooms Phase A -Accessibility Retrofit Overview • Renovation of the East corridor, including the washroom, changeroom,office, and entrance. • Upgrading interior doors and windows between the ice rinks and community areas to improve thermal performance and accessibility. • Construction of 12 new single-occupant washrooms, including 2 barrier-free washrooms. • Addition of 1 new universal washroom/changeroom, featuring: ■ Ceiling lift ■ Adult change table ■ Accessible shower • Modifying changerooms to create 2 new gender-neutral changerooms with showers. • Installing new tactile to enhance accessibility. Phase A -Accessibility Retrofit(Tactile) Installing New Tactile to Enhance Accessibility: • New tactile pathway from East vestibule to Universal Washroom/Changeroom. Phase B -McCormick Branch Library and AMCC Renovation and Expansion Project 2 New City Community Room: • Expanded and modernized double-height space for recreational activities, camps, sports, and large gatherings. • Community room will include hearing loops. • Barrier free washroom centrally located between community room and Library. New City Barrier Free Commercial Kitchen &Servery: • Fully equipped commercial kitchen with direct access to the community room • Features: barrier free design, refrigerators, freezer, induction ranges, triple sink, dishwasher, and ample counter space. WPL Library Addition & Renovation: • Welcoming entrance with a foyer connecting the library to the Community Centre. • Double-height open library entry with lounge, mobile displays, and self-checkout stations. • Spacious layout for library collection, children's area, computers, and business centre. • New glass-enclosed library program room. Comments/Feedback • Should tactile be included in the shower area? Yes, the tactile should be directed to the shower area—useful to have the map and strips • Should tactile be added to water fountains? Yes, the tactile should direct towards the fountains, but somehow differentiate from the showers, map will be used—it would be useful to have the map and strips • Review tactile layout within washroom space to avoid cramping of decision trees. Useful to have the two members with visual disabilities audit the space before anything is completed—invitation to be extended when the time is right? • Space available for menstrual products—will need to ask staff and get back with an answer via this committee • Any options for families, in regard to washrooms and change rooms? The single occupant gender neutral washroom can hold more than one person at a time and the universal washroom can be utilized if not occupied. • Hand dryers or paper napkins? Will check with staff and bring back to the committee • How will it be maintained? Daily for sure, but probably not checked otherwise, but customers could let staff know. Stand up urinals will not be available for single occupant washrooms • More to come from phase B—staff will be back with an update at a future meeting • What is a hearing loop? A hearing loop is for person's with a hearing aid—they can connect to a speaker that is amplified directly into the person's ear—located underneath the flooring • Cleanliness policy for public washrooms due to the possibility of a public health issue—there will be dedicated staff to take care of the washrooms during the day 9. Information Items None 10. Adjournment Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie—man is.mckenzieCcDkitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting—Thursday February27th, 2025, at 1:30pm, Hybrid 3