Latest news with #CAPSCommittee
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Councillor eyes park for future indoor pool and community centre near Old South
Council's decision to decommission Thames Park Pool two years ago continues to ripple through communities in downtown and south London. In July 2023, council also directed staff to undertake a feasibility study for the location of a potential new indoor pool on city-owned property within the same geographic catchment area. On Monday, the results of that property search were considered by the Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee. A total of six parks met the criteria for building an indoor pool within downtown London or Old South, however, the city is focusing its investments on new facilities that offer a wider range of recreational opportunities. Only one of the six short-listed parks is large enough to accommodate a new multi-use community centre with a pool and other amenities — Basil Grover Park at the southwest corner of Commissioners Road and Wharncliffe Road. 'Residents of Ward 11, specifically Old South, have been devastated to lose access to the Thames Pool and wait over four years for any kind of aquatic replacement amenity for the area,' wrote Coun. Skylar Franke in a motion to the CAPS Committee. She adds that the park is large enough (12.9 acres) that existing recreational facilities could remain or be enhanced as part of a potential redevelopment. The committee supported Franke's resolution directing staff to formally assess Basil Grover Park as a candidate site in the next-generation Parks and Recreation Master Plan for its feasibility as the location of an indoor pool and community centre. A five-year update to London's Parks and Recreation Master Plan is currently underway, and expected to be completed in Spring 2026. 'I've already had feedback from some people that said, it's still too far from Old South (and) there are traffic concerns with that busy intersection,' Franke admits. 'So staff will just look at that location and see if it could be viable for multi-use facility. Unfortunately, we're really limited because the city does not own a lot of land in the Old South area.' Council will consider Franke's motion next week. In 2021, the East Lions Community Centre was completed for $54 million. No price tag has been placed on the potential project in Basil Grover Park, but a staff report warns that the cost of similar facilities have recently skyrocketed in other cities, some in excess of $100 million.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Does this London intersection need crossing guards or just safer drivers?
A dangerous intersection in Old South might prompt a citywide review of London's policy for locating crossing guards. Daryl Newcombe reports. A dangerous intersection in Old South might prompt a citywide review of London's policy for locating crossing guards. On Monday, several parents in the area of Wortley Road and Emery Street told the Community and Protective Services CAPS Committee that persistent dangerous driving at the four-way stop poses a serious risk to children walking to school. They want city hall to provide a crossing guard when school resumes in September. 'It's beyond appalling that we've gone this far in order for our children to safely make it to school,' said Matt Grimminck. Currently, London spends $1.55 million each year on 106 crossing guards. Coun. Skylar Franke, who represents the neighbourhood, brought forward a motion requesting a review of city hall's crossing guard policy and development of a budget business case for $200,000 that would fund an additional 14 crossing guards citywide. 'This is just one of the tools we have in our toolbox that I was hoping to move forward,' explained Franke. 'Because it seems that the enforcement that's currently being done is not sufficient.' Committee members agreed that dangerous driving around schools is a source of frequent complaints. 'I have two schools in my ward that for the past two years I've been hearing from the parents the same thing,' said Coun. Jerry Pribil. Coun. Peter Cuddy listed several dangerous school crossings in his northeast ward, 'This isn't an isolated case in my ward, nor is it an isolated case in Coun. Franke's ward. This is happening all over the city.' According to city staff, the intersection of Emery and Wortley was recently evaluated for a crossing guard, but the number of vehicles and pedestrians didn't meet the minimum criteria. Franke suggested the current criteria might not reflect the level of distracted and dangerous driving occurring on London roads. 'There is some flexibility in choosing which standards and metrics we're using and where we want to put crossing guards,' she explained. Coun. Hadleigh McAlister agreed, 'I do think that this is something that should be regularly reviewed. As indicated, we can go above the provincial minimums if we deem it necessary.' The committee unanimously recommended reviewing the policy and criteria for locating crossing guards in consultation with local school boards and private schools. The results could contribute to a budget business case for additional crossing guards in London. The review won't be completed in time to reconsider the presence of a crossing guard at Wortley and Emery by September. After the decision, neighbour Aylish Tate told CTV News, 'I'm ultimately disappointed that we didn't receive the relief that we're looking for—for ourselves, our peace of mind, and for our children come September.' Council will consider the recommendation from the CAPS Committee on July 22.
