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Multi-million dollar Intergenerational/Aquatic complex announced for CSL

Today I was proud to be in attendance at a press conference at Côte Saint-Luc City Hall where city council's wish to build an intergenerational/aquatic centre became a reality thanks to an investment of $11.5 million from the federal and provincial governments. We will make up the remainder of the cost.

Provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs Lauren Lessard made his first visit to our community. He was accompanied by D'Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman. Senator Judith Seidman represented the federal government. Côte Saint-Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather gave Mr. Bergman a lot of credit for pursuing this file. Councillors Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac were also on hand. Ms. Kovac will co-chair the new project with Councillor Mitchell Brownstein. Below is a group photo after the announcement and the full press release.

 

Senator Judith Seidman, acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, and Lawrence S. Bergman, Member of the National Assembly for D’Arcy-McGee and Chair of the Government Caucus, in announcing that the City of Côte Saint Luc will receive $11,571,880 in joint government financial assistance under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for the construction of an intergenerational/aquatic centre.　

The project involves the construction of an intergenerational/aquatic centre covering a total gross area of about 5,456 square metres in the City of Côte-Saint-Luc. This new complex will comprise a 25-metre swimming pool, a wading pool, an indoor terrace adjacent to the aquatic pools, portable bleachers for about 200 people, multifunctional community halls, a physical fitness room and dance and warm up studios.　

The new complex will bring sport and recreational facilities under one roof and boast modern equipment tailored to contemporary indoor leisure and fitness activities as well as suite of activities for persons aged 55 and over. Students from nearby schools and residents from surrounding cities and boroughs will also be able to benefit from the activities and services on offer at the new centre.　

"Côte-Saint-Luc’s construction of a new intergenerational/aquatic centre will serve the interests of its residents and businesses. In supporting this project, we are seeing to it that the population enjoys the high quality of life for which our country is famous. Indeed, the Government of Canada is committed to equipping every community with modern facilities and equipment to ensure citizens’ health and safety. The renewal of public infrastructure is part of a broad action plan that will enable us to thrive and prosper in a healthy environment," stated Senator Judith Seidman.　

"By participating in this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure the province’s municipalities have infrastructure that meets their unique realities while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is looking to accelerate the execution of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, like this one in Côte Saint Luc, in an effort to improve Quebecers’ well-being, create jobs and promote a high-performance economy. In this way, we are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future," said Minister Laurent Lessard.　

"Côte-Saint-Luc is the Island of Montréal’s third largest city and its population is growing faster than that of Quebec as a whole. It is important that the City have all the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of its increasing number of residents," added MNA Lawrence S. Bergman.　

Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $17,357,821. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $5,785,940 toward the work, for a total of $11,571,880 in combined government funding, while the City of Côte Saint Luc will assume the remaining third, or $5,785,941, of the project’s costs.　

The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.　

For provinces, like Quebec, that have committed all of their funding under the Communities Component, the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides for up to $500 million in additional funding for projects that will be completed by March 31, 2011.　

In Quebec, a joint federal-provincial contribution of $232 million will be used to fund 106 infrastructure projects.　

The contribution from the Government of Canada has been awarded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, visit　

www.actionplan.gc.ca.　

For further information on the Government of Quebec’s Quebec Infrastructure Plan, see　www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.　

Aussi disponible en français :　www.dec-ced.gc.ca.　

Work begins on Sir Walter Scott Avenue

The reconstruction of curbs, sidewalks and the pavement on Sir Walter Scott Avenue has begun at a cost of more than $200,000.  Work will last until at least September 17.  This will greatly benefit the residents of the five apartment buildings on the street and, of course, Ilan Ramon Crescent residents who travel on Sir Walter Scott every day.

Sir Walter Scott Repaving Approved

The long awaited repaving of the street and sidewalks of Sir Walter Scott Avenue was approved last week by city council. For 2009 council allocated $1.2 million for work on four streets and accompanying sidewalks, with most of the funds going towards Cavendish Boulevard. But with the support of Mayor Anthony Housefather I was able to get Sir Walter Scott on the list at a cost of $201,692.35. We expect work to occur in October. Sir Walter Scott is the home to five apartment buildings. In addition, it is the entrance point to Ilan Ramon Crescent. The street and sidewalks are in urgent need of repair.

Sir Walter Scott to be repaved

City council has adopted its Capital Works Budget for 2009 and I am very pleased to report that Sir Walter Scott  Avenue is scheduled for a long awaited and badly needed repaving job. Both the street and sidewalks will be given a facelift, hopefully by early fall to the tune of about $457,600.

Sir Walter Scott is home to five apartment buildings. That adds up to a lot of vehicles travelling back and forth. Add in the residential street of Ilan Ramon and it just gets busier.

Kildare Road pipe to be replaced

Since January 15, 2009 there has been four breaks of the aqueduct on Kildare Road, between Rembrandt and Merrimac. In conversations with the mayor and our department of Public Works, I insisted that something be done to rectify the situation. At the February 9, 2009 council meeting I moved a resolution which modifies the work schedule as per our infrastructure program for this year and now includes the replacement of 200 meters of eight inch pipe at a cost of $240,000. In order to get this on the "urgency list" we had to postpone planned work on Merton Road, between Borden and Pinedale. I would like to thank the mayor and council for supporting this initiative. Residents of Rembrandt and Ilan Ramon in particular have been greatly inconvenienced by these breaks, not to mention all motorists travelling down Kildare Road. This work will likely be done in the spring when the weather is more appropriate.

Water Main Breaks on Kildare Road Affecting Rembrandt

 

  A photo of our team at the site of the water main break.

 

 

Here is a copy of a letter I sent out to residents of Rembrandt Avenue with Mayor Anthony Housefather and Councillor Mitchell Brownstein:

In the past two weeks, there have been three breaks in the pipe under Kildare Rd. near Rembrandt Ave. that deliver water to your area. This letter explains when we will repair the pipe and why the break happened.

During each break, our crews worked quickly to stop the leak temporarily. However, a permanent solution must wait until the spring as the kind of repair we will make to the pipe is only possible in warm weather. At that time, we will add a protective layer to the pipe, which end the water disruptions cause by this stretch of pipe. Should there be another leak before the spring, we will again try to patch the pipe in such a way as to prevent a leak from happening again.

The extreme cold weather that affected our region recently made the water in the St. Lawrence River colder than usual. When this cold water was sent to our water network in Côte Saint-Luc, it causes a sudden temperature change on the surface of the metal pipe. If the pipe is old or damaged, it can cause sudden breaks. The effect is similar to how a drinking glass might shatter if it is ice cold and you then put hot water into it. That said, we live in a cold climate and we must be prepared for such temperature fluctuations.

As you may be aware, before 2006 the City of Montreal was responsible for the maintenance and repairs of the underground water network in Côte Saint-Luc. Unfortunately, the network wasn’t modernized and repaired to the degree that we would today feel is acceptable. So, when the City of Côte Saint-Luc took over control of the network on January 1, 2006, we made water infrastructure a priority. We studied the state of the aqueduct and sewer system to determine how best to invest in our infrastructure. We also hired an engineering firm—Dessau—to respond to water main breaks quickly—usually within the hour—a response time that was unheard of when Montreal controlled the water network.

Côte Saint-Luc has spent or set aside more than $11 million for repairs, maintenance and improvements to our water infrastructure network from 2006 to 2009. We are also taking advantage a federal-provincial program to help fund municipal infrastructure, such as aqueducts and roads. When funds are available, we make sure to apply, which helps Côte Saint-Luc deliver more value to its taxpayers.

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the repeated breaks to the pipe under Kildare Rd. Events like these, however, illustrate why we are spending so much to modernize our underground water network.

Underground Garage Closed and Reopened on Cavendish

Following the tragic incident at a St. Laurent apartment building in November, when a collapsed underground parking garage killed a man  after his vehicle was crushed by a large slab of concrete,  the City of Côte Saint-Luc   "proactively"  undertook an inspection of all buildings with  two plus levels of underground  parking that are over 30 years old.
It must be noted that the  Regie du batiment du Québec   (RBQ) is responsible for building codes in the province. That being said, our Engineering Department inspectors highlighted seven  building garages that upon a visual inspection we thought might need a closer look. These cases were referred directly to the RBQ for follow-up.   While Manoir Camelia, located at 5875 Cavendish next to  City Hall,  turned out to be one  of the buildings our engineers  had not yet   visited (when they came by the janitor was not there to let them in) it appears that the RBQ had received calls from some residents. As a result, the RBQ did an inspection and ordered the garage closed. They insisted that the owner, Howard Szalavetz,   had to get an engineer's report attesting to the soundness of the structure.
Residents were advised  to move their cars and we made arrangements for them to park on Cavendish, between  Kildare and Wallenberg, until the matter was resolved. 
I spoke to Howard, a well respected landlord in the community who also owns Kildare Towers. He said he immediately enlisted the services of global engineering firm Genvivar. They filed a report to the RBQ and within 48 hours most of the garage was reopened to cars.   Howard noted that this is an  older building and given the climate following the St. Laurent incident the RBQ is being overly cautious. He insists the garage was safe before. But by installing a few support beams, it is now “beyond 100 percent safe.” Some work will be done in the coming weeks.
Is the RBQ being overzealous? Perhaps, but after what happened in St. Laurent nobody will fault them for that.
Hats off to Howard for being so responsive!

Construction on Cavendish

The Cavendish / Fleet interchange was designed a generation ago when the population of Côte Saint-Luc was smaller and fewer families owned more than one car. For years, residents have suggested the city improve the intersection to reduce wait times. While previous administrations have considered improvements, your current city council is taking action. Following a study from an engineering firm and public consultations, the City of Côte Saint-Luc will be reconfiguring the Cavendish / Fleet intersection  beginning October 20. When complete, motorists wishing to turn left from Cavendish Blvd. to Fleet Rd. will be able to do so from two dedicated left-turning lanes

This is something which will benefit all citizens, but certainly those living West of Cavendish in District 2. During rush hour in the morning and particularly at the Bialik morning dropoff, traffic is backed up significantly on KIldare Road. Because the extra left-turning lane will  reduce wait times for vehicles turning left onto Fleet Rd and Iimprove the flow of traffic on Cavendish Blvd it should consequently make things flow much better from Kildare.

 

Lanes will be reduced starting on October 20. This will cause a slowdown in traffic, which will last approximately three weeks. In phase 1, we will break parts of the concrete medians in the area and repave parts of the street. Once we are confident the new configuration is successful, we will complete the project in phase 2, in which we will beautify the green spaces and add permanent barriers in spots. The entire project should be complete by mid December. During the construction period, please try to avoid the construction zone during the morning rush hour, if possible. You might even consider using the Westminster Ave. underpass to leave Côte Saint-Luc in the morning.

 

If you spot any problems during the construction period, please leave a message at 514-485-6800 ext. 1501 or use the feedback form at the Côte Saint-Luc website at www.CoteSaintLuc.org.

See the map below as well.

The condition of Cavendish Boulevard

I would like to share with readers of my blog the response our mayor gave to Ben Merson, a resident of the city since 1955 who wrote to complain about the road surface condition of Cavendish Blvd., between Mackle and Cavendish. Here is what Mayor Housefather said:

"I agree with your comments about the stretch of Cavendish between Mackle and Collins.  Unfortunately, as I have communicated in our newsletters and recently in a letter to residents of Cote Saint-Luc when I spoke of the agglomeration reforms, this stretch of road in not under the jurisdiction of Cote Saint-Luc as relates to reconstruction of the road.

"Since we were merged into Montreal in 2001 there has been a concept of arterial roads.  This continued after demerger.  During the years we were part of Montreal these roads were the responsibility of the central city and not the borough and since demerger they have been the responsibility of the regional level of government (the agglomeration) and not your local city.  CSL has 2 arterial roads (CSL Road and Cavendish).  Thus we are allowed to do some things on arterial roads, we are responsible for clearing snow, traffic conditions (we can install the synchronized lights for example) but we can not do construction on the road itself.  We advised Montreal many times that this stretch should be prioritized without success.

"As per the letter I sent to you, the Quebec legislature recently adopted Bill 22 which reformed the agglo.  These changes only come into force on January 1, 2009.  In addition to keeping EMS, having only one tax bill to CSL and other improvements, the arterial roads go back to the control of local cities.  As such, next year this road can be on our list to repair but we can not do so this year."

Repaving of Rembrandt Ave,

I am pleased to report that the repaving of the streets and sidewalks on Rembrandt Avenue is complete. Rembrandt is the home of five highriose condominiums, six townhouses and a busy park. Our studies showed that the street needed a facelift. Merrimac and Sir Walter Scott also need fixing and I hope they will be on the list of capital works projects before the end of this council's mandate.