Representatives of the Executive attended a public meeting hosted by UWO. UWO is building a new 1000 bed residence on the south side of Sarnia Road beside the Faculty of Education. The building will be similar in style to the others in the area (Perth Hall has 445 beds, Essex, 500) and will be six stories high (about two stories higher than the red brick townhouse/apartment buildings that are on that side of Sarnia Road). . UWO plans to open the new residence in September 2013. There will continue to be 300 parking spaces on the site. No design was shown, but UWO promised to publicize the design when the Board of Governors has approved it. City traffic department staff at the meeting said there will be NO entrance onto and off of Sarnia Road. Meanwhile, Brescia University College has advised us that they will be building a 300 bed residence on its site. It will not encroach into the treed area. Access will continue to be from Ramsay and Brescia Lane with construction traffic likely on Brescia Lane. The existing residence will be converted to other Brescia uses. Brescia is holding a neighbourhood meeting March 10th at 6:30 pm in Room 136 in the St. James Building on the Brescia campus.
The March newsletter is now available. Click here for the newsletter. Highlights include:
Update on the future of schools in Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest.
It is apparent that the administration will NOT support retaining the property and building if a school is closed. It is important to let our trustees know your thoughts on protecting the school sites. They can be reached at:
Peter Jaffe
519-452-2000 ext. 22406
Fax: 519-452-2269
e-mail p.jaffe@tvdsb.on.ca
Peggy Sattler
519-452-2000 ext. 22410
Fax: 519-452-2978
e-mail p.sattler@tvdsb.on.ca
ARC timeline
You are encouraged to attend the June 14th Board meeting and to have your say. Your ratepayers executive will also try to meet with Trustee Bennett and our trustees to gain their support for the ARC recommendation when it comes to a vote on June 28th.
The draft report can be found at http://www.tvdsb.ca/files/filesystem/SHERWOOD_DraftReport_2011January27.pdf
The final report will be substantively the same.
UWO planning a new residence on the Althouse College parking lot
Western is planning on building a new 1000-bed residence where the parking lot between Althouse College and Sarnia Road is currently located. The University is prepared to hold a meeting to introduce the community to the proposal. This will take place around April 10th.
Update from March 5 Neighborhood Social
Thanks to everyone who came out, and a special thanks to those of you who paid your dues that day.
Update on Medway Valley bridge
The bridge over the Medway project has been put off until 2013 at the earliest. Instead, the city will update the Master Plan for the Valley starting this year and concluding the studies in 2012. There will be community involvement so stay tuned for more information.
Community Tree Planting – May 7
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is planning a community tree planting day for May 7th. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Update on Sarnia Road widening
The proposed widening of Sarnia Road from Wonderland to Sleightholme has been moved from 2012 to 2019 in the city’s budget. Projects such as these are not approved until they are included in the current year’s budget debate, so 2019 is only a tentative date that can be moved forward or backwards. More information will be known when the city tables its 2012 budget for public review this fall.
Orchard Park–Sherwood Forest Ratepayers
invite you to a
Neighbourhood Social
Saturday, March 5, 2011
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Church of the Transfiguration
33 Bromleigh Avenue
Have a cup of coffee and enjoy some goodies while visiting with neighbours and talking about some issues that are affecting our neighbourhood including:
* Update on proposed Medway Valley Bridge Project
* Update on the future of Sherwood Forest School & Orchard Park School
* Possible vacancy in the Ward Councillor position
* Sarnia Road widening update
* Display by the “Strengthening Neighbourhoods” Group
The Draft ARC report has been posted by the Board. It can be found here or at:
http://www.tvdsb.ca/files/filesystem/SHERWOOD_DraftReport_2011January27.pdf
The recommendations are found below.
As per Board policy, there is an opportunity for public input to the ARC on its draft report. This meeting will take place on:
March 9, 2011
7:00 PM
University Heights P.S.
27 Ford Crescent
Requests to make a submission to the ARC in response to the Draft Report are to be received by the Assistant to the ARC by February 25th. Please fax the completed form to: 519-452-2485. The form is can be found at:
http://www.tvdsb.ca/files/89379/ARC%20Public%20Consultation%20Form.pdf
The rest of the ARC timeline is as follows:
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any member of the ARC. Their names and contact information are listed at:
http://www.tvdsb.ca/board.cfm?subpage=102822
The ARC Committee recommends:
THAT
1. The Board recognize that University Heights is a community and in the best interest of the students and the community that University Heights Public School be JK-8.
2. The Board merge the student populations of Sherwood Forest and Orchard Park Public Schools.
3. In the best interest of the students and community, all three schools remain open as educational facilities and the Board take steps to bolster enrolment. Options should include, but not be limited to, French Immersion, boundary adjustments, holding zones, Adult Education, ESL, full day kindergarten, daycare and special education programs.
4. None of the three properties be declared surplus or disposed of.
5. The Board meet and consult with the City of London and the residents of the affected area, in the context of The City of London’s “Strengthening Neighbourhoods” Strategy, to consider the current and future needs of the community and potential uses of the properties.
Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association 