London’s new City Manager is a dynamic and respected leader who has more than 20 years of municipal government experience, as well as an extensive educational background. Art Zuidema was confirmed today as London’s new City Manager effective August 13, 2012.
Spray Pads Opening for 2012 Season - That Means Ed Blake Park Spray Pad Opens on the 18th Too!
Just in time for the long weekend, kids can get wet and have fun at City of London spray pads. Tomorrow, twelve of the City's free outdoor spray pads will officially open for the season.
Spray pads at the following locations will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
Bonaventure Meadows - 141 Bonaventure Drive (next to Bonaventure Meadows Public School)
Rowntree Park - on Whetter Avenue off Wellington Road
Kiwanis Park - off Hale Street
Fork of the Thames - off Riverside Drive and King Street
West Lions Park - on Granville Avenue beside Kinsmen Recreation Centre
Lambeth Centennial Park - on Beattie Avenue across from the Lambeth Arena
Jesse Davidson Park - off Monte Vista Crescent or Ensign Crescent
Gibbons Spray Pad – in Gibbons Park
Southeast Optimist Park – on Deveron Crescent
Oakridge – Valetta Street by Oakridge Arena and pool at top of hill
Ed Blake Park - near Huron and Barker Streets
Medway Park - beside Medway Arena and the Canada Games Aquatic Centre
Starting this Saturday, children can also cool off at the spray pad at Storybook Gardens. For information on Storybook Gardens' hours of operation visit www.london.ca/storybook
Stronach area and Stoney Creek Have Lavish Rec Complexes
West London has the Canada Games Aquatic Complex and More
We Have Tim Hortons at Adelaide and Huron - Sad
Last week the nation learned that a baby girl was born in a Tim Horton's Donut Shop in Windsor Ontario. The baby just couldn't wait. It was bound to happen. The number of Tim Horton's outlets in Canada are multiplying like rabbits. They have become the unofficial meeting place, rest stop and community center for many Canadians.
While it's nice to have Tim's, they are no replacement for the neighbourhood community centers that used to fill our neighbourhoods. In London there are fewer community and neighbourhood resource centers. The new ones that are being built are huge, hard to get to and often charge a fee for many of their services. That's hardly welcoming.
In contrast, Neighbourhood community and resource centres can and have already been located in rented space or public libraries in London. They are cost effective and placed in the heart of neighbourhoods. They offer services at little or no cost. They are welcoming and visible. For some reason, City Council has refused to use this model in the Kipps Lane - Adelaide - Huron Boullee area.
In the Kipps Lane, Huron Adelaide Huron Boullee, Cheapside area and all the way east to Highbury the Adelaide -Huron Tim Hortons has become, by default, "the real HUB" of activity and the "community centre." It has become the area's Hub, Community Center, Meeting Place etc. because the City of London has failed to provide a community centre, neighbourhood resource center or anything similar in this area of Wards 3/4.
God help us though if a baby is born in the Adelaide-Huron outlet or something else happens to make this place famous. This old Tim's outlet is badly in need of a face lift and better washrooms. Most Tim Horton's outlets receive facelifts on a regular basis. Not this one.
Premier Dalton McGuinty visited the Adelaide-Huron outlet during a London visit a few years ago. Mayor Joe Fontana, Ward 3 Councillor Joe Swan has been there several times as well. I have to wonder what they think of our "community center."
We have begged and pleaded with our City Councillors and City Staff. Ward 3 Councillor Joe Swan, and Ward 4 Councillor Stephen Orser knows the need but they have done nothing about since being elected in October 2010.
Sorry guys, the Northbrae Hub doesn't fill the need. It is a Provincially funded Early Years Centre and Child Care Centre. It serves the needs of young children, teens and their parents very well. That is it's Provincial mandate. But it is not a community centre.
We seldom think about potential disasters that can affect us. Yet severe weather, health emergencies, chemical spills and major transportation accidents can strike almost any community - including ours.
During May 6 to 12, London's Emergency Management Partners will be taking part in National Emergency Preparedness Week.
This year, London's team will be focused on raising awareness of severe weather emergencies; how our climate is changing, what to watch for when summer severe weather is approaching and most importantly how to keep you and your family safe and prepared.
