POSSIBLE NEW SCHOOL DELAYS

As reported in March & June 2008 ( Issues #124 & #127 ) HRM, HRSB and the Province along with other recreation partners embarked on a municipal-wide public consultation about what type of community facilities will be constructed, improved, and recommended for possible partnerships. New schools were also identified as key opportunities for collaboration in incorporating more joint-use concepts for use by the community at large. HRM Regional Council has approved the report, and the document is posted on-line at www.halifax.ca/facilities/CFMP. In accordance with that report, I have asked for $2 million in facility enhancements to the new $10.4 Million replacement school for Lakeview Elementary in Porters Lake. The NS Dept of Education (NSDEd) was hoping to expedite the school construction schedule with streamlining the design process by using some modified building plans that were developed for the new Stewiacke Elementary School. But these plans did not incorporate any community enhancements. There ought to be an enlarged gymnasium, enhanced canteen/cafeteria area, multi-purpose rooms, fitness studio, weight room, separate washrooms and showers with lockers, additional storage and support office spaces, and perhaps a youth drop-in centre. The NSDEd is now getting an impact assessment done for this request. The design and engineering alterations to do this facility augmentation may cause some delays to the initial construction schedule and opening date. The school was supposed to ready by September 2010. However, some environmental sensitivity issues about the property at Hwy #107 - Exit 20 (a water course and wetland area) required some disturbance mitigation planning. That alone already delayed construction and the school opening until January 2011. With the community enhancement component, the school opening could now be September 2011 instead. I believe this would be a more realistic time line. On this schedule, the school year would not be interrupted at mid-year when trying to switch over schools during the winter holiday break. Hopefully the Province will concur with the municipality to do this. It is imperative to take advantage of these opportunities when they present themselves. It is far more cost-effective to do these additions during the initial construction rather than trying to retrofit at a later date.

WIND TURBINE PUBLIC MEETING

There will be a Public information Meeting at the Lakeview School on Thursday, November 12th at 7 PM regarding Wind Turbines. The intention of the meeting is to present proposed regulations for the siting of large and small scale wind turbines in HRM and to obtain feedback from the public.
 

HEALTH SURVEY REPORT ON-LINE

Furthermore to my last month's article, our Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) has posted the results of their first ever community-wide health survey. Go on-line to: www.ourhealthsurvey.ca. Get the full picture about how healthy we are, across the whole CDHA, and see how each of the Community Health Boards (CHBs) areas are doing. If you missed out in attending any of the community conversations in October, then you can still provide them with some feedback on what the priorities ought to be. Click on the " Feedback" sub-title on the above web-site or go to : https://survey.nshealth.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx

COMMUNITY HEALTH FUNDING

The two Community Health Boards (CHB's) that serve the District 3 area have funding available for local groups and organizations working to improve the health and well being of its citizenry. Application deadline for proposals is Monday, November 9th. Before applying for funding, all applicants are asked to contact their respective CHB Coordinator to discuss their project idea and receive an application form. The Eastern Shore - Musquodoboit CHB serves the communities of Lake Echo, Porters Lake, Three Fathom Harbour, Seaforth, the Chezzetcooks, Conrod Settlement, Gaetz Brook and beyond. And the Southeastern CHB serves the communities Cole Harbour, Westphal, Lake Loon, Cherry Brook, Lake Major, East Preston, North Preston, Lawrencetown, and Mineville. Please contact Cathy Leslie for the Eastern Shore-Musquodoboit CHB at 889-4118 or cathy.leslie@cdha.nshealth.ca or Anna Jacobs for the Southeastern CMB at 460-6888 or anna.jacobs@cdha.nshealth.ca

Sincerely,

Councillor  David  Hendsbee  
H.R.M. DISTRICT 3 COUNCILLOR
PRESTON/LAWRENCETOWN/CHEZZETCOOK

1 Chamberlain Drive, Westphal, NS, B2Z 1B1
829-2465 ( Home Office ) 483-0705 ( Cell )
490-4050 ( Hfx. City Hall ) 829-3620 ( Fax )
david@hendsbee.ns.ca & hendsbd@halifax.ca