Skip to main content

millions more to encroach on Cootes?

Is anyone really surprised? Cost estimates for the proposed velodrome for Hamilton's Pan Am games have doubled in price, an extra $15 million. They will be spending up to $25 million dollars for this cycling track, and they are still talking about siting it in Dundas, despite the fact the bid originally stated in would be built along with the Pan Am Stadium (and that's another story!).
Problem is, the site in Dundas is in an area that is close to Cootes Paradise, on a former landfill and in the middle of an area that many hope will be developed as a natural park that will enhance the ecological integrity of this environmentally significant area.
As we are seeing in the wranglings over the Pan Am Stadium, the warning of urban philosopher Jane Jacobs against these kind of projects involving "cataclysmic money" stands today.
We should not hastily make decisions that will have a lasting impact on the quality of our natural assets, especially if we are interested in restoring the ecological conditions already degraded by incompatible developments - in the area of Olympic Drive that would include Olympic Drive, the former landfills, the current waste-transfer station, and now rejected plans like self-storage garages.

Pan Am velodrome would cost extra $15m

John Kernaghan, The Hamilton Spectator, (Aug 10, 2010)
A permanent Pan Am velodrome will cost $10 million to $15 million more than budgeted, a consultant's report says.
The $11.4 million earmarked in the 2015 bid document wouldn't be capable of serving as a national centre and home for international events in the long term, says the Sierra Planning and Management Group.
The report, which is in the shadow of the stadium debate on today's committee of the whole agenda, says it would cost $21.5 million to more than $25 million for a medium quality multipurpose building.
It would combine recreational and high-performance uses and need to be economically sustainable.
Based on the report, city staff is recommending the more expensive velodrome because it would have a longer lifespan and be more attractive for competitive events and recreational programs.
Staff is suggesting the city approach the federal and provincial governments for larger financial contributions and a sponsorship firm be asked to develop a prospectus to sell naming rights and other sponsorship opportunities.
Greg Mathieu, CEO of the Canadian Cycling Association, said the $11.4 million figure in the Pan Am bid book was always seen as unrealistic and the $21.5-million to $25-million velodrome would become a cycling centre for Canada and all of the eastern United States.
The only other 250-metre track, the size needed for world-class events, is in Los Angeles.
Mathieu said a track of that calibre would draw major racing teams and tournaments as well as strong school and recreational projects.
"It would be a magnet for the best riders and the company teams," he added, noting that could lead to possible revenue from sponsorships and signage.
Mathieu added the infield of the track would provide space for court sports, giving the facility plenty of flexibility for city sports programs.
The velodrome is in Pan Am plans for the west harbour site, but the National Cycling Centre Hamilton has been promoting Olympic Park in Dundas.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Slow Sign and Turtle Time

THEY SAY: Information Report: April 3, 2017 SUBJECT/REPORT NO: Rare Turtle Recovery, Wildlife Corridor Issues and Roads of Issue at Cootes Paradise (PW16024a) - (City Wide) Traffic Issues on Cootes Drive Traffic Operations & Engineering has been working with the Ward 13 Councillor on traffic signage along Cootes Drive. Four (4) traffic signs (with flashing lights) operating during turtle migration season will be installed in the spring of 2017. The migration period for turtles is generally around the months of June, early July and September but can vary due to weather conditions. The traffic signs are useful in alerting motorists of potential turtle crossings on that roadway. RESTORE COOTES SAYS: Is it working? Is there any evidence that it is helping turtles or even slowing vehicles? We're betting it has little to no impact - the light is always flashing, if turtles are present or not, the road is built for speed and it makes it dangerous to slow down. We hope
Post a Comment
Read more

a vision for nature in Cootes

View the Eco-Park Document here Make Cootes national park, group urges TheSpec.com - Local - Make Cootes national park, group urges Create eco-park in urbanized area Eric McGuinness , The Hamilton Spectator (Jan 28, 2009) The idea of a Cootes Paradise National Park is being revived by local conservationists. But they say it is jeopardized by plans for a self-storage warehouse beside the Desjardins Canal at the east entrance to Dundas. They point to a new vision of an urban eco-park -- maybe a national park -- incorporating the Cootes marsh, drafted by Urban Strategies Inc., the firm responsible for McMaster University's campus master plan among other Hamilton projects. Joe Berridge, a partner who has helped reshape waterfronts in Toronto, New York and London, produced the concept document at the invitation of Ben Vanderbrug, retired general manager of the Hamilton Conservati
Post a Comment
Read more

Urquhart Butterfly Garden speaker series

A lovely butterfly garden is the perfect setting for this annual speaker series. August 4, 2018, Guest speaker: Doreen Nicoll You cannot have Monarch Butterflies without milkweed.  Doreen Nicoll has recently become a heroine for monarch butterflies, by insisting on her rights to grow milkweed in her naturalized garden in Burlington. Doreen  Nicoll has long understood that garden with nature and not against her is the best thing for our planet. She also knows that native plants are great at attracting butterflies and bees of all species. Doreen will be the first presenter in the Summer Series at the Urquhart Butterfly Garden and her topic will be Monarchs and Their Milkweed and naturalized gardening. She has wealth of information and is fun as well! The session will begin at 11 am Saturday on August 4 and last approximately one hour.  Please bring a chair. If it rains the session will be cancelled. For more information about the Urquhart Butterfly Garden please visit ur
Post a Comment
Read more