HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-096 - Mill Courtland Community Centre Expansion Update
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Community Services Committee
October 15, 2007
Prepared By:
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director, Community Programs &
Services (x2687)
Wynne Hughes, Facilitator DCC/MCC, Community Programs
& Services (x2755)
Wards 5 and 6
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
September 25, 2007
CSD-07-096
MILL COURTLAND COMMUNITY CENTRE EXPANSION
UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
For Information.
BACKGROUND:
During 2007 budget discussions, an issue paper addressing the Mill Courtland Community
Centre expansion was submitted outlining the implications of moving the scheduled expansion
forward from 2012 in the 1 0 year capital forecast. The Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP)
recommended that a permanent expansion to the Mill-Courtland Community Centre be
assessed for possible development in 2008, considering: i) current levels of facility use; ii) gaps
in programming and services in the community; and iii) evaluation and review of alternative
spaces in the community.
In 2004, a set of portables (1 ,000 sq ft) were placed in the back parking area of Mill Courtland
Community Centre to accommodate immediate programming needs and included a small
meeting room, as well as additional office and storage space. These portables however lacked
water access and washroom facilities and were seen only as a temporary solution, until a
permanent expansion could be provided. The budget estimate assigned to the expansion
($514,000) in the LFMP would allow for approximately 2000 sq ft. of additional space. The
intent of this expansion was to replace the portables and adding areas such as a multi-purpose
room, offices and storage. The assessment of space need in the LFMP and the associated
budget was only an estimate and did not analyse, in detail, needs in the community or capacity
of the Mill Courtland site to accommodate for an expansion.
Staff suggested that rather than proposing an expansion predicated around use of the portables
and the perceived limitations of the Mill Courtland Site, a more detailed analysis of community
need including consultation with the community, as well as an assessment of current site
capacity be included in the business case and brought forward in 2007.
Report No: CSD-07-096
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REPORT:
Capacity of the Mill Courtland Site
Staff investigated the maximum facility footprint that could be placed on the current Mill
Courtland site, considering zoning, lot configuration, setbacks, required parking etc. Practically
speaking, staff found that the maximum expansion that could be placed on the site would range
from 6,500 to 7,000 sq ft. This would leave enough space on the site for the necessary parking
and green space for additional outdoor activity. As indicated below, this additional space comes
very close to meeting the requirements as determined in the consultation and surveying of the
community.
Consultation with the Mill Courtland Community
Green Propeller Design, Architect & Building Services were engaged to facilitate the
consultation with the community, which took the form of public meetings and also surveys. Two
public meetings were held to gather information from the neighbourhood and included input
from centre users, local businesses, neighbours and the general public. The consultation
concentrated largely on i) identifying how the facility was currently used in the community,
including programs and services offered out of the current spaces; ii) identifying likes and
dislikes of the current facility; iii) outlining perceived gaps in programming experienced by the
community; and iv) ascertaining what is needed in an expansion to address perceived gaps.
Approximately 40 people attended the public meetings and 29 more individuals completed
surveys and delivered them back to the community centre. Results from the consultation
indeed showed a need for additional space in the Community, over and above what was
outlined in the LFMP. Perhaps the most significant gap that was identified was the absence of a
full sized single gym. Currently, the Mill Courtland Community Centre has a 3~ sized
gymnasium which, according to the community, significantly hinders the programs that can be
provided. Also, considered an important requirement from the community was a commercial
kitchen, which would assist in the provision of food and cooking programs that have also been
popular in the community. Besides these spaces, there was also a recognized need for more
office and storage space as well as more space required in common areas inside and outside of
the facility.
Green Propeller Design forwarded two options for expansion to respond to the discussion held
with the community and the survey results. Details of these options will be included in the
Business case but generally include:
Added Area
· Single gymnasium
· Commercial kitchen
· Programme space
· Offices
· Storage
· Entrance
Renovated Areas
· Existing gym to 4 multi-purpose
rooms
· Existing Kitchen
· Existing entrance
Report No: CSD-07-096
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Option 2 is similar to the first option but reduces the area of the expansion around the entrance
of the facility and does not meet all the spaces requested during the consultation. The "C" class
estimates of the two options are as follows:
Option 1 Option 2
Additional Space 7,255 sq ft 5,930 sq ft
Renovated Space 275 sq ft 230 sq ft
Total Cost $2.2 M $1 .846 M
The costs associated with expanding the Mill Courtland Community Centre, considering the
needs which were detailed in the community consultation, are significant. Currently, in 2012
there is $514,000 budgeted for an addition, which is significantly less than the costs associated
with each option above.
Before a business case comes forward for Council's consideration, staff will investigate the
possibility of meeting the needs outlined in the community consultation through the utilization of
other facilities that may be available in the community. It is estimated that staff will be able to
complete this around December 2007.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Currently there is $514,000 allocated in the Capital budget, in the year 2012, for the expansion
of the Mill Courtland Community Centre. Staff continues to look at options that could meet the
requirements of the community and will come forward with budget estimates and details of each
option in the business case.
Mark Hildebrand
Interim Director, Community Programs and Services
AP
