WELCOME TO 1999
Happy New Year everyone. It was nice to get some snow in time to celebrate Christmas in typical Canadian fashion. For the second year in a row, the Old Ottawa South Business Association sponsored what was essentially a neighbourhood Christmas party on Thursday December 10th. Highlights of its Holiday Lights Between Bridges included carol singing and storytelling at the Mayfair Theatre, fiddle music and step dancing at Mel McDougall's Barbershop, free horse-drawn wagon rides along Bank Street and, of course, Santa Claus at New Morning Futons. Thanks to all the organisers.
COMMUNITY CENTRE DEBATE
As a group of volunteers working on behalf of our community, the OSCA Board of Directors thoroughly researched facility options, sought public input and in November made a decision to retain the Old Firehall as our Community Centre. There is no doubt that the 214 Hopewell facility offered much more for our programming activities. Also key, however, was the issue of location and the notion that a Community Centre should be in the centre of the community it serves. A move to 214 on the western extremity of our neighbourhood could have changed the fabric of Old Ottawa South, alienating the more than half of the population who live east of Bank Street. Or, it could have led to lifestyle changes in a community that places a significant a premium on being able to walk to the Community Centre. In addition, some people mistakenly believe that the Firehall is protected because it is a heritage building. The fact is that if the building was sold, a new owner, could, after sufficient public notice and possible hearings, receive approval to demolish the building. This was a consideration for some Board members. I wonder what sort of reaction we would have got if we had voted to abandon the Firehall?
The OSCA Board made every attempt to engage the community in the discussions about the future of the Community Centre. Although OSCAR is an arm of our Association, it is a self-supporting entity. OSCA paid $1,200 to include a four-page insert in the October edition in an effort to inform and entice people to get involved in the issue. Less than 70 people filled out our survey giving us their views on the proposals. Only 30 people showed up at a Townhall meeting to discuss the issue and to voice their opinions. With a population of some 8,000 residents, this obviously wasn't a burning issue for most people. The Board developed a 70-page report detailing the possible facility options and the report was made available to anyone who wanted a copy. It was also posted on our website. We had a workshop with about 25 members of our community to help ensure that we were presenting all the relevant facts necessary to make an informed decision. Still we get criticised by people who didn't make the effort to get involved when we requested their input. OSCA does not set editorial policy for the OSCAR. Peter Hecht's editorial in the December issue brings out some good points but it also includes some errors of fact. It is too bad that Peter didn't write the article three months ago to help generate some discussion when it was needed most. He says that there should be more discussion. We debated that at length at the Board before we even decided to go ahead with a vote. We felt that we had done everything reasonably possible to engage the community in the debate. We did look at programming requirements in detail and produced a separate report on our findings. City and OSCA staffs were included in our deliberations and their views were taken into account. There is no doubt that our community deserves better than the current Firehall as it doesn't meet all of our needs and is in a deplorable state. Two local architects have volunteered to develop plans for an expansion. We are committed to work to effect cosmetic improvements to the building and would appreciate hearing from anyone who is willing to co-ordinate a volunteer work-party to spruce up the place. There are plenty of people willing to work, we just need some direction. We will work with City staff to ensure that scheduled maintenance resumes now that a decision has been made to stay at the Firehall. We hope to develop a business case to secure Capital Funds for a major expansion that would include a decent exercise room and special gym flooring, shower facilities and wheel chair accessibility. Given the City's financial state, this may be a joint venture requiring fund-raising. Councillor Clive Doucet has already started the ball rolling on a renovation fund with a donation to kick it off. We are determined to expand our venues for programming and hope to get more access to Hopewell Public School despite the new restrictions placed on community use. We have done our best, but there is so much more ahead of us to do. Please work with us and give us a hand. We can only do so much and need your help and support.
OSCA WINTER CARNIVAL
Hopefully, with no ice storm to get in the way of our plans this year, we will have our own celebration of winter in Windsor Park from 1-4 PM on Sunday January 24th. Join us for games, entertainment, food, drink and free sleigh rides &endash; fun for the whole family.
YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO OLD OTTAWA SOUTH
This anxiously awaited publication is now available in local stores for a mere $5.00. The first run of 400 copies will likely sell out quickly, so act fast if you want to be among the first to have your own copy of this valuable source of neighbourhood information. Additional print runs will follow if there is sufficient demand.
NEW OSCA BOARD MEMBER
Diane McIntyre, Vice-President of the Carleton University Graduate Students' Association, has agreed to join the Board to ensure a continued liaison between OSCA and the Carleton University community. Diane, a former President of the Glebe Community Association, will be a valuable addition to OSCA. Welcome Diane, and thanks for joining us.