RICHMOND HILL, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - Richmond Hill residents will benefit from a $7.5 million contribution from Canada's Gas Tax Fund, part of the Town's total $44.6 million capital budget.
Richmond Hill will use the Gas Tax Fund transfer to upgrade the heating and cooling systems at three community centres, complete the full upgrade of three residential roads, replace two bridges, develop a four-kilometre, multi-use trail, and install recycling containers at various locations in town.
"Our government is proud to contribute to projects that will improve the quality of life for the residents of Richmond Hill," said Costas Menegakis, MP for Richmond Hill, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. "Thanks to the New Building Canada Plan, communities across Canada can continue to count on stable, reliable funding through the Gas Tax Fund."
"We are thankful for the support of the federal government," said Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow. "The Gas Tax Fund helps us build a more connected and sustainable community for the people of Richmond Hill through projects like energy-efficient community centres and upgraded roads."
"Canada's Gas Tax Fund acknowledges that all orders of government must work together to address the pressing need for infrastructure investment in our municipalities," said Russ Powers, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). "Stable and predictable, the Gas Tax Fund is supporting long-term investment in local priority projects right across Ontario."
The federal Gas Tax Fund provides long-term funding to municipalities across the country to build and revitalize their local infrastructure. The Government of Canada has invested over $10 billion to date in municipal infrastructure through this program, and passed legislation to make it a permanent transfer of $2 billion per year. As part of Economic Action Plan 2013, the Government committed to index the Gas Tax Fund to provide additional funding for communities going forward. Between 2010 and 2014, the Town of Richmond Hill will receive more than $19.9 million from the Gas Tax Fund to improve local infrastructure.
Canada's Economic Action Plan 2013 is delivering a New Building Canada Plan to build roads, bridges, subways, commuter rail, and other public infrastructure in cooperation with provinces, territories, and municipalities. Thanks to the Government of Canada's leadership and our strong economic and financial fundamentals, the Canadian economy has recovered from the global recession better than most other industrialized countries. Canada has been a leader among G-7 countries throughout the recovery with more than 898,000 net new jobs created since July 2009. The New Building Canada Plan, combined with other federal infrastructure investments, supports Canada's infrastructure advantage, a key enabler of economic growth and job creation.
For additional information about federal investments in infrastructure and to stay up-to-date with Web feeds, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca .
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BACKGROUNDER
Richmond Hill's 2013 Gas Tax Fund Infrastructure Projects
Air-handling upgrades at Bayview Hill Community Centre, Richvale Community Centre, and Lois Hancey Aquatic Centre (The Wave Pool)
The heating and air conditioning systems will be replaced at each centre. Additional improvements include a new pool dehumidification unit, central boiler and building automation system.
These upgrades will create energy-efficient buildings, which decrease the use of both hydro and gas utilities while improving indoor air quality. Each centre will now also provide a higher level of comfort to its community, particularly in the pool areas, thanks to the replacement of the pool dehumidification unit.
Work on these projects is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2013 and should be completed before the end of the year.
Road Reconstruction - Maple Avenue, Talmage Avenue and Sunset Beach Road
Each of these residential roads will be completely reconstructed, including curbs, sidewalks, storm sewers and streetlights. Roads will be built to Richmond Hill and provincial standards, with a life expectancy of 25 years when complete.
Benefits to residents include improved driveway entrances and a safer environment for pedestrians with the addition of sidewalks, which will also encourage pedestrian traffic. Environmental benefits include reduced consumption of new materials through the use of partially-recycled asphalt, more efficient operations for snow plows and better control of storm water through new sewers.
These projects will begin in the spring of 2013. Maple Avenue and Talmage Avenue should be completed by early autumn 2013, while Sunset Beach Road is part of a larger project and is expected to be completed by mid-2014.
Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan Implementation
Bridge Replacement
Wood's bridge and the pedestrian bridge across German Mills Creek between Weldrick Avenue and Nightstar Drive will be replaced as part of the continued implementation of the Pedestrian & Cycling Master Plan.
Replacing the bridges and implementing the Plan will encourage active transportation including walking, cycling, inline skating and skateboarding.
Bridge replacement will begin in July and be completed by mid-September 2013.
Trail Construction
The creation of a four-kilometre, multi-use trail at Oak Ridges Corridor Park East will feature three trailheads.
This new trail will support recreation and active lifestyles in Richmond Hill while protecting the high quality habitats, sensitive plants and wildlife found on the Park's 175 hectares. Oak Ridges Corridor Park East is a partnership between Richmond Hill and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and is home to 471 plant species, and 81 wildlife species (including the threatened species Jefferson Salamander).
Construction is expected to begin in the autumn of 2013 and conclude in 2014.
Environmental Initiatives
Recycling containers will be installed at select Super Mailboxes and LED Exit Signs will be installed at Bond Lake Arena and the McConaghy Centre. These projects will help protect the environment and ensure wise management of resources.
The installation of recycling containers is expected to be completed by the end of June 2013.
