Johnny boy brings home the bacon, then reads out his shopping list for next three years. Our MPP takes a pass on event

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON August 6, 2011 – It was a brief ceremony, I mean we were doing a photo-op for the opening of a splash pad at a 40 year old public swimming pool that was badly in need of an upgrade, so it had to be mercifully brief, and it was..

Those yellow shorts belong to one of the city’s General Manager’s – and it isn’t Kim Phillips.  It was a “casual” event.

Those yellow shorts belong to one of the city’s General Manager’s – and it isn’t Kim Phillips. It was a “casual” event.

Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor has been fighting at council committee meetings for some of the federal gravy to spill into his ward and today he was there to see the reward on the table. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $825,000 to the project, while the City of Burlington will contribute the balance of the total project cost of $2.475 million that upgraded forest trails, paved paths, put in a seating area; added a playground, a multi-use court with basketball and skate elements, in addition to an enhanced entrance and screened parking. The project also brought enhancements to the outdoor pool area, which includes a new splash pad that features a large water play structure and water play elements.

Taylor also let his community know that there was even more gravy coming their way. He proudly announced that City Council had approved funds in the 2012 budget to add an upper level and a small community centre with meeting rooms. Architects have been hired with an opening scheduled for sometime in 2013. The pool is set in what is a 30 acre park.

Mike Wallace, MP for Burlington; Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale; and John Taylor, Ward 3 Councillor and Deputy Mayor of Burlington, participated in the celebration of  this important community recreational infrastructure project. Acting Director of Parks and Recreation and some of his staff were also on hand.

It took a lot of stick handling for Councillor John Taylor to get to this point.  Next for the community – an expanded community centre in the 30m acre park.

It took a lot of stick handling for Councillor John Taylor to get to this point. Next for the community – an expanded community centre in the 30m acre park.

“Stimulating the economy and creating new opportunities for healthier, more active living in our communities supports Building Together, Ontario’s long-term infrastructure plan. In Burlington, Building Together is helping to repair, rebuild and renew our sport and recreational facilities, providing spaces for families to enjoy for years to come,” said MPP McMeekin, who was apparently filling in for MPP Joyce Savoline who appears to be missing in action.

“One of the most significant things about this project for me, was that while enhancing the pool and park we were still able to meet the community’s objectives of preserving the remarkable forest and natural area,” said Ward 3 Councillor and Deputy Mayor John Taylor who was subbing for the mayor who is on vacation. This was a project Taylor really wanted for his community.

 

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