Council Highlights from the May 30, 2022 Meeting

Council votes to donate money to help build Durham Hospice Clarington

To help offset rising construction costs, Clarington Council voted to approve a $200,000 donation to support Durham Hospice Clarington as it fundraises to build a nine-bed hospice on Cobbledick Road in Newcastle at a two-acre site donated by the Municipality. Council heard from the Chair of Durham Hospice Clarington about the struggle to move forward with the project in a cost-effective way since building costs have increased by 40 per cent. Durham Hospice Clarington has tried to cut construction costs by changing the architectural design for the space as it continues to fundraise for the project. The Municipality has already agreed to offset the development charges for the project, estimated at $165,000 based on the current design. The community can donate to help support the Durham Region Hospice Clarington online.

For more information, read Council resolution C-121-22.

Clarington to install new all-way stop at Trulls Road and Strathallan Drive intersection 

Clarington will install an all-way stop sign on Trulls Road in Courtice at the entrance to the new commercial plaza and future extension of Strathallan Drive. The sign will improve safety and traffic flow. After careful assessment of vehicle turning movements and the impacts on traffic flow and speaking to area residents, Clarington staff determined that the new all-way stop will allow both vehicles and pedestrians to safely access the shopping complex. The new stop sign will be installed shortly.

For more information, read report PWD-014-22.

Clarington to partner with Valleys 2000 in developing a joint parks plan for the Bowmanville Zoo land 

Clarington will partner with Valleys 2000 to develop a parks master plan for the former Bowmanville Zoo lands now owned by the Municipality. Valleys 2000 has offered to fund this project and retain a specialized planning consultant to create a comprehensive themed recreational plan for the new park, including the possibility of creating a potential ice skating trail through the property. Valleys 2000 is a nonprofit volunteer-based organization with a mission to “work exclusively with the Municipality to build a strategic vision to develop, enhance, promote and preserve trails, riverbank improvements, informational signage, fish and wildlife habitat and special natural areas along parts of the Bowmanville and Soper Creek Valleys,” as outlined on its website. The development of the parks master plan will involve consultation with key community stakeholders whose input will inform the final plan and proposed design for the parks. Staff are expected to report back in September on progress made. Valleys 2000 has also agreed to help fundraise to support the redevelopment of the park once a final plan has been approved.

For more information, read Resolution GG-202-22.

Path to Reconciliation: Clarington’s Truth and Reconciliation Staff Committee provides updates on actions taken

Clarington has formed a Truth and Reconciliation Staff Committee to help advise Council and guide the Municipality on its transformative journey toward reconciliation. The Committee has been tasked to examine the 94 Calls to Action identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and identify actions that Clarington could take to move towards reconciliation. The Committee has initially focused on education to understand the issues and learn about the Calls to Action. It has also reached out to other cities across Canada to collaborate. A working sub-group of the Committee has been formed to focus on Indigenous consultation and to reach out to our local Indigenous communities to understand what actions Clarington can take to best support their needs and priorities. The Committee continues to build relationships as it examines every opportunity to get involved, learn and move forward with a plan for concrete action on Clarington’s journey toward reconciliation.

For more information, read Council Memo Update from Truth and Reconciliation Staff Committee.

Building a vision for Clarington’s waterfront

Clarington will be working with a consultant to reset the vision and increase public access and tourism opportunities along our waterfront over the next 30 years. Clarington’s shoreline stretches some 34 kilometres along the edge of Lake Ontario and spans Courtice, Bowmanville and Newcastle – three growing areas with unique identities. This updated vision for the waterfront will look at how new development can enhance our waterfront by supporting sustainable, barrier-free access to the lakefront with high-quality amenities and parks. In 1992, Clarington created a Waterfront Strategy with a vision to increase public access and ownership of lands along the lakefront from three to 30 per cent. Since then, we’ve made a lot of headway, but there’s more work to be done. The new plan aims to further that goal and expand the use of these highly sought-after tourism destination amenities and treasured natural local areas.

Read Report PDS-026-22 for more details.

The next Council Meeting is on Monday, June 20, 2022.