Whereas the redevelopment of the Skyway Arena as the community centre for south east Burlington was identified 2015, as a need in the Parks & Recreation Arena Facilities Review; and
Whereas the new Skyway Community Centre helps address a number of strategic priorities identified in the Vision 2040, Burlington’s Strategic Plan 2015-2040; and
Whereas the designs for the new Skyway Community Centre align with both the City of Burlington’s Climate Emergency Declaration and our Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan; and
Whereas the following features of the new design will bring the City closer to achieving Council’s approved target to be carbon neutral in our City Operations by 2040: a geothermal system as well as recovered heat from the refrigeration plant, which avoids the use of natural gas and reduces the greenhouse gases, a zero-emission electric ice resurfacer will be used, planned warm and cold areas to minimize energy consumption; and
Whereas the new Skyway Community Centre will provide inclusive, year-round programming for residents of all ages; and
Whereas the new facility will exceed the Ontario Building Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities requirements through the provision of universal washrooms equipped with lift and adult change table, ramps, hearing loops in program rooms, accessible customer service, recharging stations for scooters and accessible dressing rooms, accessible shade structures and site furnishings in the naturalized playground and an 85’x200’ ice surface designed to accommodate sledge hockey and other accessible sports; and
Whereas parking and pedestrian pathways through the park will facilitate connections to the surrounding neighbourhood; and
Whereas the Skyway Community Centre project is at the building permit stage. Once a building permit has been issued construction must commence within six months; and
Whereas Burlington City Council directed the Mayor and City Manager to continue to pursue, and advocate for funding from the Federal and Provincial levels of Government; and
Whereas the City of Burlington submitted a funding application to the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings funding program; and
Whereas projects that can start sooner will be scored higher in the application review process;
Therefore be it resolved that Burlington City Council declares the Skyway Community Centre as the City’s top infrastructure project for senior government funding; and
That the Mayor and City Manager continue their advocacy efforts with the Federal Government; and
That a copy of this resolution be sent to The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, and The Honourable Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, Pam Damoff, MP Oakville North- Burlington and Adam van Koeverden, MP Milton, and local members of Provincial Parliament.