WINDSOR PARK ICE RINKS
What would our community be without volunteers? It would be pretty boring I suspect, and not a lot of things would get done. Fortunately, participation in community affairs is one of the hallmarks of life in Old Ottawa South. I would like to recognize a number of our neighbours who devote hours of their time, often in terrible weather conditions, to build and maintain the outdoor hockey and low board rinks at Windsor Park. The City contracts with OSCA to do this and provides compensation in the $4,000 range however that is not enough to operate with a fully paid staff and contracted snow removal.
At Windsor, activities are coordinated by volunteer and OSCA Board member Gary Lum, who deals with OSCA and City staff and oversees our three paid rink attendants. Volunteers Peggy McNeil and Rob Clipperton maintain a work schedule for those who prepare the base, flood, and, clean the ice surfaces. It's a long list but each volunteer deserves mention. Team Leaders who oversee work groups include: Josh Clipperton, Nancy and Greg Laird, Gary Lum, Mike Burgenor, Glenn Barr, Peter Fowler, Andrew Young, John Goodall, and John Keogh. They are ably assisted by, Tom Kurys, Harry Musson, Gordon William, Julian Murray, Don Cummer, Dave Knox, Roger Dando, Marshall Farr, Chris Wherret, Rita Dagenais, Cam McDonald, Boyd McBride, Donna Lougheed, Ted Freeman, Peter Engelman, Mark Whittal, Ken Watson, Burt Pereboom, Blair Dowden, Jeff Hume, Wes Mastead, Jeff and Jason Ellis, Dave Strutt, Pat and Judy Sullivan, Ken and Ian Cramer, Mark Stiles, Roger and Garth Ehrhardt,and, Joel and Richard Cleroux. Paid staff includes Josh Clipperton, Frank Poce and Elliot Luijkenaar. We owe you all a debt of gratitude. With all these volunteers, rarely do any of them have to do more than one duty shift throughout the season, once the ice is in place. Because of the savings their efforts generate, OSCA was recently able to buy a second snowblower to make the task easier. If you want to help out this year or next, please call OSCA. At Brewer Park, the Pacers Speed Skating Club has a similar arrangement with the City providing a hockey rink and Ottawa's only speed skating oval. Thank you Pacers!
WINTER CARNIVAL CANCELLED
For the second year in a row, the weather disrupted our plans for a neighbourhood Winter Carnival. Despite the best efforts of our Windsor Park ice crew, the rain and mild temperatures rendered the ice unsuitable for use on Sunday January 24th. Preparations were in place for a carnival like no other with plenty of games, prizes, food and drinks, a bonfire and free horse drawn sleigh rides. Unfortunately the ground at Windsor was too wet and icy. It could not be rescheduled due to the unavailability of some key players and contracted services. Our organizers were extremely disappointed but vowed to try again next year.
POLICING IN OLD OTTAWA SOUTH
On January 12th, Regional Police launched a program called, "Make the Right Call" in conjunction with the introduction of District Policing. Carleton University, Old Ottawa South and Ottawa East have Constable Tony Skinner assigned to our area. He reports to Inspector Lynda Smith in District 22. It is expected that Constable Skinner will be proactive in making himself known to residents and area merchants and work with us all to identify potential problems before they become serious. Unfortunately, there have been some disturbing incidents recently along Bank Street so I call upon you to be vigilant and report any suspicious acts to the police. Call 911 if there is a life threatening emergency or to report a crime in progress, but please be careful and leave the dangerous work to the police who are trained and equipped to deal with it. Less serious or non©life threatening cases that require a police presence should be directed to 230©6211. General administrative calls should be made to 236©1222.
OSCA SUPPORT TO AREA SCHOOLS
At our January Board meeting, we discussed the need to be actively involved in group efforts to save St. Margaret Mary's School from closure, and, to oppose policies that may lead to overcrowding at Hopewell Public School. The Board unanimously voted to support organizations and individuals in the community who are demanding that the Ontario Ministry of Education provide a more flexible funding formula, allow community partnerships, and, provide a longer implementation period for any school consolidation process. The Board appointed Gary Lum as OSCA's rep to St. Margaret Mary's "save the school committee". He joins Jeff Hume, who, on behalf of OSCA, is participating on a Hopewell School committee seeking to amend current policies that will negatively impact inner city schools. These committees are working with area politicians such as Regional Chair Bob Chiarelli, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and our own Councillors Inez Berg and Clive Doucet to develop a coordinated response to Ministry guidelines.
COMMUNITY CENTRE
We have received a letter from the City's Commissioner of Community Services, Janette Foo, outlining the recommendations of the Management Committee to City Council on the Community Centre issue. The recommendations are that:
- The Community Centre remain at 260 Sunnyside, at this time;
- Minor renovations and life cycle maintenance proceed at 260 Sunnyside within existing budget allocations, and where feasible and appropriate, with the assistance of OSCA; and,
- The facility at 214 Hopewell to be leased for a term of up to five years.
Unfortunately, the City has not included in the draft 1999 Budget any specific funds for item 2 above and will likely only have limited funds next year. Obviously, we as a community are being poorly treated in this respect and OSCA will be meeting with Ms. Foo to press this point and discuss future renovation possibilities. By leasing out 214 Hopewell, options for its future use remain open. OSCA will be requesting in writing that the City consult with us before any decision as to its final status is made so that the possibility of its use as a community resource can be further considered.