Council news: Sewage plant engineering approved
Clearview Township council has approved a contract worth $1,862,833 with RJ Burnside Consultants for design of system upgrades to the Creemore Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Director of Public Works Dan Perreault says this is the next logical step in the evolution of the system.
“The current system is rated to process 1,400 cubic metres per day (m3/d), but is falling far short of that. This plan would improve the system to 1,400 m3/d, allowing for limited development,” he told council at Monday’s meeting.
Perreault says the project will not be tendered, as Burnside has the history and knowledge for this work.
“This is for design work only,” he said. “It will be a significant upgrade but does not meet the ministry (of environment) definition of expansion as it would only improve the system to the capacity it was originally designed for.”
Perreault estimates the design phase of the project will take approximately 14 months, then it will be another six to 12 months before the ministry approves the design and the project can be sent to tenders. In all, he says it will probably be four-and-a-half years before the upgrades are completed.
An additional $495,543 has been earmarked for design improvements to the Creemore water reservoir, effectively doubling the capacity of the existing reservoir.
Both projects are to be funded from the Creemore Water Development Charge reserve account.
Duntroon Hall AODA renos remain in limbo
Plans for future renovation of the Duntroon Hall remain up in the air, following news that an application to the province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund has been denied.
The township was informed that more than 400 applications were received, and due to the limitations of the fund, not all could be approved. The township had been seeking funding of $636,556 toward the cost of AODA (Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) renovations.
Director of Parks and Recreation Terry Vachon reports that the most recent estimates put the total anticipated cost of the Duntroon project in excess of $1,267,000.
A subcommittee of the Duntroon Hall Board is reportedly exploring other options including replacement of the existing building with a one-level structure, alleviating the need for an elevator.
During the 2024 budget process council voted to pause remaining community hall AODA renovations, including funds for architectural plans, until council has clarity on the accessibility requirements for these buildings and available funding.
With the 2026 budget process about to begin, Vachon has asked for direction from council whether renovations to the Duntroon Hall and Brentwood Hall are back on the table.
Council supports rock climbing as permitted use at Devil’s Glen
Clearview Township would like to see some changes to an updated management plan for Devil’s Glen Provincial Park.
The township has been asked for comment on the proposed update from Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
The draft plan recommends changing the classification of Devil’s Glen from recreation to natural environment to reflect a focus on protection of natural and cultural heritage including sensitive wildlife and vegetation habitat. At the same time, it proposes adding rock climbing as a permitted recreational use.
Historically, climbers have been using the park even though it is not a sanctioned use. A township staff report suggested making climbing a permitted use, as it is already occurring.
Duntroon resident Jim Campbell appeared before council to argue that just because people are doing it, we should not necessarily accept that it’s okay.
“That’s a bit like 20 years ago saying everyone is smoking on airplanes, therefore it’s okay and we should keep on smoking on planes,” said Campbell, adding that the number of climbing routes has exploded in recent years, thereby creating a hazard with parked cars at the end of the 10th Line.
Adam Pearce, whose property abuts the park took exception to a part of the plan which would add another parking lot, noting “The existing parking lot is overwhelmed during the busy season, but it is also unmanaged. Garbage accumulates, people camp overnight and fires are lit and there is no infrastructure or enforcement.”
“Climbers have known for years that Ontario Parks was turning a blind eye to their unpermitted activities and the climbing community overdeveloped the area with little regard for ecological impacts,” he said.
Councillor Rob McArthur suggested that council recommend the province look at purchasing the four properties between County Road 124 and the park when they come on the market. That recommendation, along with a suggestion that Ontario Parks install adequate monitoring of waste management and illegal fires, and that the Niagara Escarpment Commission be asked whether a slope stability study is required for the site will be forwarded to the ministry.
Public commenting on the Environmental Registry of Ontario closes on Sept. 19.
