KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North Upcoming public meeting on future Kanata North Recreation

Complex
Work on the Kanata North Recreation Complex (KNRC) plans is progressing and will be available for public viewing and comments at a meeting on March 11th. At the time of writing, the location was to be confirmed, but will be on my website by the time you receive this paper. From what Ive seen so far, this is going to be a fabulous centre. It has an 8 lane pool, training pool, sauna, running track, fitness centre, meeting rooms, double gym, childrens rooms, skateboard park, outdoor basketball, two soccer fields, an environmental kiosk, as well as outdoor play areas for children, and a splash pad. This meeting will be an opportunity to view the draft plan and provide final input. Within a few months, the design will be finalized, requirements completed and then the project will be put out for firms to bid on doing the final design and construction with a completion date Spring 2012. As a partner in the project, the Y will be putting their own input into the plans as well as being able to discuss their part in the project with representatives at the meeting. The KNRC Advisory Committee, a group of volunteers that are helping me to ensure this project fits the needs of our community, has been a great help in developing plans to this date. They will also be at the meeting to discuss their role and to make certain every member of the public who wishes to comment is heard and their views considered. The KNRC Advisory Committee has undertaken to raise the additional funds required so that we can have an 8 lane pool and skateboard park. You will be hearing more about this later and I am confident that, with the help of the community, the committee will be successful. .

RON ANDOFF
When I moved to Kanata in 1968, one of the first community leaders I met was Ron Andoff. He was a founder of the Kanata Standard which is now incorporated in one of Kanatas weekly newspapers he served on March Township council with me during my first term, and above all, was a volunteer contributing to make Kanata the place that we now enjoy. Ron passed away last week, taking a part of Kanatas history with him. His son told me that Ron greatly admired me. I know that I also admired him and will miss him.

CLEANER BUSES
OC Transpo has developed a new planning initiative to improve maintenance and in particular to improve bus cleanliness. This system is designed to ensure bus reliability so that fewer buses will be needed to operate the system, overtime reduced, and reliability improved. A new scheduling procedure is now in place as approved through the arbitrated settlement. Drivers will be protected through having seniority recognized, being able to choose their runs and having the same minimum amount of work per week. This process will enable OC Transpo to reduce the cost of operations over the long-term as management will better be able to allocate resources more efficiently as the transit system grows. The 2010 budget maintains services and includes a reduction of $9.3M for efficiencies that are to be achieved this year.

OLYMPICS
WOW! What a great winter Olympics and what great performances from Canadian athletes. Events like this pull us together as Canadians. In particular, he gold medal win in overtime by the Canadian men, to match that of the Canadian women, was a crowning event to end 16 days of incredible feats. Congratulations to all the athletes, to the Vancouver-Whistler-Richmond organizers and volunteers and to all Canadians who cheered on from home. Having events such as this helps to define a city, so Ive been encouraging Ottawa to include such special events within our economic development plan.

COMING EVENTS
March 8 International Womens Day various events from Mar. 7 10. March 11 Public meeting re: Kanata North Recreation Centre, location TBD, or please see my website. March 22 Ward Council, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., in the Program Room, Kanata Seniors Centre. March 26 Deadline for nominations for Civic Appreciation Awards. March 31 Deadline for applying for Community Environmental Initiatives Grant.

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion, contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.