Highlights from the May 16 Council Meeting

Woodstock — Thursday’s Council meeting got underway at 7 p.m., following a closed session. Mayor Acchione opened the meeting by proclaiming May 19 – 25 VON (Victorian Order of Nurses) Week and May 26 – June 1 National AccessAbility Week. In addition to several planning matters, the following items were on the agenda:

South Gate Centre expansion tender

Council awarded tender for the expansion and renovation of South Gate Centre. The expansion will help provide more space for the growing number of older adults in our community who benefit from the social, educational and physical activities, programs and classes offered at the Centre.

The contract was awarded to Elgin Contracting and Restoration Ltd. for $7,178,890. The anticipated cost of construction is $7.7 million. The project was originally approved in the 2023 Capital Budget with $7.8 million in funding from the City and $1.2 million from South Gate Centre, for a total budget of $9 million.

The work includes:

• A 12,700 square foot addition with a 5,500 square foot hall that can be divided into an atrium, lounge and reception area
• Renovations to the existing building including accessible washrooms, servery, storage and mechanical room and the cafe/bar
• A new entrance to Victoria Street South, a new main entrance for the building, parking lot improvements, upgraded hydro and water services and landscaping

Student Civic Awards of Excellence

Council approved the recipients of the 2024 Student Civic Awards of Excellence. The awards recognize the academic achievements, volunteer efforts and leadership skills of a graduating student from each local high school. Five students were nominated by a committee of peers and teachers at their school:

• Ali Brown – Woodstock Collegiate Institute
• Ethan Fodor – College Avenue Secondary School
• Julian Jean – St. Mary’s High School
• Maeghan Schadenberg – École Secondaire Catholique Notre-Dame
• Cullen White – Huron Park Secondary School

The students will each be presented with a plaque and a $1,000 award at a future Council meeting.

More details about these items or any other topics discussed during the meeting can be found at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings are posted online following each meeting.

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