HONOURING NEIGHBOURHOOD HISTORIC SITES
A large crowd joined the 100th Anniversary party for the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park on the 19th of September. Those attending were able to enjoy a barbecue supper while helping to raise money for the "Retree Ottawa" campaign, and, were treated to a concert by the Central Band of the Canadian Forces. Thanks to Mayor Jim Watson and to the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada for a great evening.
If you are reading this before Tuesday the 14th of October, you still have time to join us for our Annual General Meeting at the Firehall. We will have our own historic plaque unveiling in recognition of the Old Firehall. The meeting starts at 7:30 PM.COMMUNITY CENTRE - DECISION TIME
In this edition of the OSCAR you should find a four-page section dealing with the Community Centre options. Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the issues and plan to attend the Townhall meeting to discuss the future of our Community Centre. Whatever the decision, it will be one that we will live with for some time.
6TH ANNUAL PORCH SALE
The weather co-operated with us this year as hundreds of area residents sold unwanted items and thousands more got bargains in return. Close to 280 families donated some $2,600 to OSCA, about $400 more than was collected last year. Those who donated were eligible for a draw of prizes provided by area retailers. The businesses, prizes and winners were:
- Mother Tongue Books - Book - the Mahoney family, Grove Ave.;
- Full Cycle - Bicycle Pump - Arlene Wortsman, Bellwood Ave.;
- The Folklore Centre - Gift Certificate - the Mallory family, Hopewell Ave.;
- The Mad Cow - Gift Certificate - Darlene Provost, Sunnyside Ave.; and
- The Mayfair Theatre - Gift Certificate - H. Hynes, Riverdale Ave.
The organising committee headed by Lora Lindsey included Willi Devonish, Abby Pollonetsky, Deirdre McQuillan, Michael Jenkin and Terry Winsor. A special thanks is due to the many volunteer canvassers without whom we could not operate and to everyone who contributed to our fund-raising event.
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<1A WINDSOR AVENUE - FOR SALE OR
USE AS PART OF WINDSOR PARK?
On September 17th close to 30 concerned residents met to discuss the potential sale for residential development of the old Capital Ward Yard adjacent to Windsor Park. This was a follow-on meeting to one held at the beginning of the summer. City staff are proposing that about half of the service yard property be declared surplus and sold, while returning the remainder to Windsor Park as a buffer between new housing and the playing fields. At the first meeting, opinions appeared to be evenly divided on the issue. This was not so this time! Close to 90% of attendees felt that it was wrong to re-zone parkland for sale. The City hopes to sell four lots for detached housing, or, three lots for semi-detached development. Lots are expected to sell for between $70,000 and $100,000. Developers are rumoured to be lining up to buy the properties. Under the plan, the City would demolish the office bungalow, remove the asphalt and fencing, and bring in topsoil and sod for the retained area, all costing about $40,000. The property is currently zoned as parkland although has not been available for public use for some time. A group opposing the sale has been organised by Gary Lum of Belmont Avenue (730-4383) in order to convince City Council to convert the land into useable open parkland. OSCA will do what it can to support this group. Those attending the meeting appeared unanimous in their concern that any sale must include tight restrictions on the type of approved housing.
SIDEWALK ON BRISTOL AVENUE?
A controversy appears to be brewing concerning the block of Bristol Ave. between Fentiman and Belmont. Supporters of a sidewalk on one side of the street circulated a petition to Councillor Inez Berg. This was met by another group who raised a petition to oppose it. Both camps claim that safety of pedestrians is the issue. Placement of a sidewalk on either side would negatively effect homeowners bordering on the proposed sidewalk. Those opposing the sidewalk cite a loss of green space, object to spending tax dollars on the project, and offer two suggestions:
- Make a section of the road a dead-end by putting in two concrete flower boxes; and
- Install a Stop Sign at the NW corner of Fentiman and Bristol in order to slow southbound traffic, and paint a line on the road to indicate where to walk.
OSCA will sponsor a Townhall meeting in an effort to come to a mutually agreeable solution. If you are interested, come to the Firehall at 7:30 PM on Thurs. November 19th.
OSCA POSITION ON LANSDOWNE PARK REVITALIZATION
Mayor Jim Watson presented his views on Lansdowne Park at the OSCA Board meeting in September. Regional Chair Bob Chiarelli, in a letter to OSCA, indicated that eventually, he might seek our support to help form a working group to identify alternatives that would preserve the Park as a public space without ongoing support from the City of Ottawa. After a lively discussion, the Board voted to continue to participate in the current City process.
ECOS MILLENNIUM PROJECT
Our Environmental Committee has been busy developing a project entitled, "Muskies, Frogs and Mayflies" in an effort to help restore the Rideau River to its natural state. The project involves developing a comprehensive plan for community-based improvement projects, building an Interpretative Centre and establishing a permanent Rideau River Management Group. This project would be a joint venture with a number of organisations. ECOS is currently exploring a number of funding possibilities.