Paradise residents to have their say on what to do with open lot
By Mark Squibb
Residents will get to have a say about the future development of a one-acre lot at 22 Trenton Drive.
Staff at Paradise Town Hall issued a request for proposals on July 11 for the development and implementation of a community engagement plan regarding the space.
“The goal was to gather input from residents to understand their needs for transforming the space into a valuable, community asset,” said councillor Patrick Martin.
The RFP closed on July 25 and the town received three submissions, which were evaluated based on technical and financial merits. Staff named Mills & Wright the top bidder. That bid came in at $33,280, plus HST.
Councillor Larry Vaters asked what the Town would get from the deal.
Martin said the consultation sessions will be carried out in much the same way as was done with Woodstock Gardens a number of years ago, with online and in person consultation options available, and in turn the Town will review a concept development plan and preliminary costs based on feedback gathered during the process.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Martin. “I think everybody on council has received calls from residents in that area. We went through a few budget cycles and it didn’t make it through for different reasons, but it’s moving along well and I think we’re all going to be happy to put a final tab on this and I look forward to the engagement process with residents because they’re going to truly pick out what goes in their neighbourhood, which is the right way to do this.”
The motion passed unanimously.
The Town had budgeted $40,000 for the consultation plan.
Council also passed a motion to purchase a new swing set for the Lanark Drive playground.
The current swing set will have to be removed to accommodate a new basketball court.
Staff sent a request for proposals to four companies, and two bids were received. Council agreed to purchase the swing set at a cost of $16,675, HST included.
Vaters asked if Martin could explain, for the benefit of the public, why the existing swings could not be used.
Martin explained that the swing set, once cut from the ground, could pose a safety risk, and so it was decided to purchase a new set. There are, however, parts from the original set that the Town may be able to salvage down the road.
Councillor Glen Carew noted the number of basketball nets throughout the neighbourhood, making the construction of the court very timely.
“This is something that residents in this area have been asking for for a while, so we’re looking to get that started,” said Carew, who added the cost to purchase the new swing set came in under the $25,000 budget.