Latest news with #TraceyBailey
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Lakeshore, UWindsor sign deal to boost innovation, housing and learning
The University of Windsor and the Municipality of Lakeshore have signed a new agreement to promote innovation, improve local planning and boost housing development while creating learning opportunities for students and businesses. The five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre, sets the stage for collaboration in research, experiential learning and community development. 'This agreement marks an exciting step forward in our commitment to fostering innovation, education and community impact,' said Dr. Robert Gordon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Windsor. 'By partnering with the Municipality of Lakeshore, we are building new pathways for research collaboration, student learning and regional development. Supported by our Centre for Cities, Office of Experiential Learning and dedicated researchers, we will drive meaningful change and create opportunities that benefit both our students and the broader Lakeshore community.' The partnership will focus on tackling housing, environmental and economic challenges, and will be supported through various university units, including the Centre for Cities and Office of Experiential Learning. It will also involve faculty and student placements, community-based projects and innovation programs. 'This partnership is an incredible opportunity to bring the energy, talent and expertise of the University of Windsor into our communities,' said Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey. 'While the initial focus will be on our housing initiatives, I look forward to seeing this partnership grow in the spirit of collaboration and public service.' The MOU outlines a wide scope of joint efforts, including access to national research funding, knowledge sharing, community outreach and joint workshops. It provides a framework to create project-specific agreements that support research, innovation and student development. The agreement also aims to address shared priorities like housing development, environmental sustainability and economic growth, using the strengths of both institutions to create local impact. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Lakeshore wraps up Public Works Week with appreciation for essential staff
The Municipality of Lakeshore joined communities across North America in marking National Public Works Week from May 18 to 24, 2025, recognizing the vital contributions of staff who maintain local infrastructure and services. This year's theme, 'People, Purpose, Presence,' underscored the cornerstone ideals that motivate public works professionals to serve their communities every day. Meeting the needs of people gives public works its sense of purpose. Often, these professionals never meet those whose lives are improved by their work—because when things go right, few even notice public works is there. Yet, with or without fanfare, they remain ever-present, working in the background to enhance quality of life for all. In Lakeshore, the Public Works Division is responsible for maintaining over 500 kilometres of roads and 100 bridges, along with storm sewers, streetlights, sidewalks, signs, culverts and other safety infrastructure. 'Public Works Week was a time to honour the individuals who ensure our community's infrastructure and services run smoothly,' said Mayor Tracey Bailey. 'Their commitment to excellence keeps Lakeshore safe and connected every day.' The division includes 16 full-time employees, supported by seasonal staff, who often work around the clock—especially during snow events or emergencies. Their work was spotlighted throughout the week on the municipality's social media platforms, offering residents a look behind the scenes. With roadwork and spring construction underway, the week also served as a reminder to motorists to drive cautiously in active work zones. 'The safety of our team members is the highest priority, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation in ensuring our staff get home safely every day,' said Jeff Wilson, Division Leader – Public Works. Residents also expressed their appreciation for the often-unseen work that keeps the municipality running. 'I think we take a lot of it for granted,' said Belle River resident Linda Marcotte. 'When the roads are cleared after a snowstorm or a sidewalk is repaired, we don't always realize how much goes into it. Public works staff really are the backbone of our towns.' National Public Works Week is an initiative of the American Public Works Association. Since 1962, the week has honoured the often-unsung heroes who keep essential services running year-round.
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Lakeshore and UWindsor announce partnership aimed at solving wastewater, housing challenges
The mayor of Lakeshore says she hopes a new partnership with the University of Windsor will lead to innovative solutions for the municipality's beleaguered wastewater system and other challenges, such as meeting Lakeshore's housing needs. The municipality signed a memorandum of understanding with the university on Tuesday. "Lakeshore's reached a critical juncture in our 26-year history, and we know we've got some real challenges ahead of us," Mayor Tracey Bailey said. "So we have a great opportunity to marry the expertise of our staff here at the Municipality of Lakeshore with the University of Windsor ... to begin looking at innovative and creative solutions for us." The partnership is broad in scope and includes research partnerships supported by national funding programs, community-based projects, student placements and initiatives through the University's Centre for Cities. While nothing has prevented such collaborations in the past, the signing of the memorandum demonstrates a new level of intentionality, said Judy Bornais, the university's associate vice-president external. Pooling resources to access more funding "We already have, now, students that are going to be intentionally hired," she said. "The number of meetings that are happening obviously increases, and that's really exciting because then in each of those sessions you start thinking of other opportunities that you can engage [in] and potential opportunities that can happen in the future as well." The university and the municipality each also have access to funding sources that the other does not, so pooling their resources gives them access to more grants and loans, Bornais said. The memorandum of understanding does not involve any financial commitments, Bailey said, but Lakeshore struck a separate partnership with the Centre for Cities in March, using $2 million in federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) dollars. That initiative will see the centre complete a series of projects aimed at helping Lakeshore achieve the milestones in its HAF plan. "Far too often municipalities go outside and seek consultants and external individuals to do the work," Bailey said. "We have a whole team of professional talented people at the University of Windsor to help us come up with solutions for our problems. So we've chosen to go that road. I think it's a brilliant one. I think that we're going to be setting the stage as the municipality for others to really watch what we're doing." Lakeshore is facing significant costs to update both its water and wastewater systems. They have been chronically underfunded for the past 20 years, Bailey said in a news release in October, when councillors approved a new water and wastewater master plan. And they need significant investment to respond to environmental and regulatory concerns and higher than expected population growth. Implementing the plan is expected to cost approximately $465 million over 20 years when adjusted for inflation and other financial factors, the release said. Apart from helping the municipality address challenges such as those with its water system, the partnership with the university will also provide students with opportunities to do co-op and internship placements in the area, making them more likely to stay in southwestern Ontario, Bornais said — and that helps contribute to the talent pool for the municipality and the region as a whole. The MOU is the second such memorandum between the university and a municipality. It signed one with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent in the fall and is planning to announce another one shortly, Bornais said.
