Richmond Hill Continues to Enhance Pedestrian Safety in the Community

Council approved new traffic and pedestrian safety measures around St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School at Shaftsbury Avenue and Casa Grande Street. Responding to community concerns in this area of high pedestrian volume, staff conducted a comprehensive traffic and safety review between Bathurst Street and Larratt Lane and recommended several measures to improve pedestrian safety and traffic conditions. A pedestrian crossover and flashing lights will be installed on Shaftsbury Avenue to increase safety and improve pedestrian crossing opportunities in the vicinity of the school. The Town will be working in conjunction with the York Region Catholic District School Board to implement the new measures and school access improvements to ensure a safe environment for students and parents. For more information, contact Richard Hui, Manager of Transportation at 905-771-5478.

Richmond Hill Welcomes Community Investments

Richmond Hill is continually faced with financial pressures and budgetary constraints and, like other municipalities, is pursuing opportunities to generate new revenue sources, including sponsorship associated with naming an asset for a fixed period of time. For this reason, Council approved the new Naming Rights Policy outlining guidelines for such proposals to cover the costs for maintaining community parks and recreation and culture facilities. The policy was developed to maximize revenue-generating opportunities, establish and guide relationships with potential partners who share the Town’s commitment to providing the highest quality civic environment and ensure the benefits to the Town and community are fair, balanced and equitable. For more information, contact Darlene Joslin, Director of Recreation and Culture at 905-771-2423.

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts Continues to Shine

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts has been bringing world class entertainment to Richmond Hill since its doors opened on February 28, 2009. The theatre has grown to present 37 performances a year on the main stage, Suite Thursdays and On!Stage, served as a venue for close to 300 community events (2016) and welcomed artists including Boyz II Men, Jackie Richardson, Veterans of SNL, Art Garfunkel and many more. Its education series program is rapidly gaining popularity with young performers through afterschool, P.A. Day and school holiday camp programs. The 2017/2018 season was launched in May and will celebrate Canada 150 with 78 per cent of shows featuring Canadian artists. For more information, contact Michael Grit, Theatre Manager at 905-787-8471, ext. 222.

Richmond Hill Receives Funding for Watermain Projects

Council announced that Richmond Hill has been awarded $1,456,650 from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund. The funding will be used towards upcoming watermain replacement projects at Trench Street, Laverock Avenue and Kersey Crescent. The Clean Water and Wastewater Fund provides municipalities with vital infrastructure funding to support the rehabilitation and modernization of drinking water systems, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure and the planning and design of future facilities and upgrades to existing systems. Richmond Hill applies for grant funding opportunities from the federal and provincial governments and other funding organizations to help pay for projects that improve our community, including infrastructure renewal projects. Since 2007, Richmond Hill has received approximately $32.6 million in grants and since 2005, we have received $41.6 million in federal gas tax funds. For more information, contact Daniel Olding, Manager of Grants and Strategic Initiatives at 905-771-5505.

The next Committee of the Whole Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 20 at 4:30 p.m. and the next Council Meeting is Tuesday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers.