Clearwater arena upgrade plan endorsed; Sarnia city council notebook

An estimated eight- to 10-year, $20- to $25-million plan to update Sarnia’s Clearwater community center has city council’s stamp of approval.

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Council unanimously endorsed a master plan for the 1970s-built, twin-pad arena recently updated with a library and transit terminal.

The plan is similar to what council saw in Decemberwith proposed parking lot changes, pedestrian walkways, change room upgrades, creating a reception desk, widening hallways and additions planned, along with audio, lighting and heating upgrades to existing arena seating areas.

New in the final version was the costing, and a proposed new look for the building’s front, with a timber overhang and potentially solar panels on top, said McMichael Ruth with architects Tilmann Ruth Robinson that prepared the $180,000 master plan for the city.

The priority is an expansion at the building’s back for a new refrigeration plant, as the existing one is at the end of its life, he said.

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The plan also includes a long-term option to build an addition for a third ice pad with seating for 300 and a walking track above, for another estimated $30 million to $35 million.

Coun. Bill Dennis called it a fantastic plan that checked all the boxes.

Council directed staff to create a multi-year implementation plan through the city’s annual capital budgeting process.

Coun. Chrissy McRoberts also suggested the proposed expansion for a third ice pad could instead be another location option for the city’s proposed multi-use recreation facility.

Another report to council Monday noted Germain Park, Lottie Neely Park and city-owned lands south of Wellington Street and east of Modeland Road are all viable options — each with benefits and drawbacks — for the proposed multiple turf field facility.

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Dennis asked what council needs to do to move forward on making a reality the estimated $40-million facility the city has been looking into since 2020.

Chief administrator Chris Carter said that could be part of the city’s end-of-year budget deliberation process.

“Should council wish to proceed with the selection of a site and direct staff to advance the first phase of detailed design, staff can scope the required site development work and preliminary building design work, and provide budget and timeline for council’s consideration through the 2025 budget process,” the report from facility services manager Tom Burnard says.

Larger hens possible in Sarnia urban area

Sarnia could move to allow larger hens in backyards.

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The city already allows up to 12 bantam birds per property inside the urban boundary, if they’re kept in suitable pens, cages or structures.

Council approved seeking public input Monday to change the bylaw to allow up to six larger, standard-sized birds that produce larger eggs, require more space, are louder and can be smellier, a city ​​staff report says.

Combinations of bantam and standard size hens would also be permitted, but roosters would still not be allowed under the proposed changes, it says.

Staff had recommended leaving the bylaw as is or allowing four standard size chickens, since the number meshes well with current setback and coop standards, community services general manager Stacey Forfar said.

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Coun. Chrissy McRoberts suggested upping the number to six, since larger birds are more beneficial in terms of food security for families.

Staff reported back with options after local residents asked for changes in March.

After that March 11 delegation, staff received three emails from members of the public expressing opposition to amendments allowing standard chickens, the staff report says.

Sarnia to craft Kenwick Park plan

Proposed upgrades to the basketball court at Kenwick Park have turned into a park-wide upgrade plan.

Council Monday approved $20,000 for architectural fees to create the plan and hopes are it’s done in time for budget deliberations in December, Forfar said.

The other option was approving $120,000 to replace the existing basketball court, which Coun. Brian White flagged recently as needing improvement.

Doing the full plan will let park users get involved, and perhaps allow service clubs to contribute to the project, White said.

Upgrades to the park’s sign, that a staff report says isn’t consistent with current city standards, also were approved.

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