Contact: David Dexter, Acting Commissioner of Finance and Corporate Services, 905-771-2484, david.dexter@richmondhill.ca  

RICHMOND HILL – With the approval of the 2016 Capital Budget, Richmond Hill will undertake many key projects next year, including road and park reconstructions and the conversion to energy-efficient lighting throughout the Town. The $84.5 million Capital Budget was approved by Council at its November 23 meeting.

“This Capital Budget funds 223 large and small initiatives that will maintain and improve services and facilities in Richmond Hill,” said Brenda Hogg, Budget Chair and Regional & Local Councillor. “It will allow us to maintain the excellent quality of life that our residents deserve.”

The Capital Budget addresses both growth-related new projects and the maintenance of existing infrastructure. Council carefully considers capital priorities in advance of Operating Budget discussions to ensure the appropriate project funding is in place before the new year.

“The 2016 Capital Budget continues to implement our various plans by investing in the priorities of our residents, recreation facilities, parks improvements, environmental and road projects, to meet our goals of being a Town that comes together to build our community,” said Mayor Dave Barrow.

Highlights of the 2016 Capital Budget include:

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  • LED (light-emitting diode) Light Conversion Plan. Richmond Hill is converting its outdoor lighting network (approximately 16,000 streetlights, 350 parking lot lights and 1,200 park lights) to LED lights. This project is expected to cost about $12.6 million which will be offset by an estimated $1.68 million annual savings in energy and maintenance costs. After about seven years, the project will have paid for itself.

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  • New Trails such as Newberry Park Multi-Use Trail, Macleod’s Landing trail connection, Elgin East multi-use trail and the TransRichmond Trail - Gamble Glen connection will be designed or constructed. $1.5 million.

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  • Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL). The Central Library will add two additional self-checkout stations, a new collection of books and media will be obtained for the new Oak Ridges Library and a new website will be developed for RHPL. $454,400

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  • Park reconstruction at Morgan Boyle, David Hamilton and Little Don Parks for a total of $12.1 million. The Parks will receive updated playground equipment and renewed sports fields. Visit RichmondHill.ca/ParksProjects for information.

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  • Second ice pad at Ed Sackfield Arena will be constructed at a cost of $13.5 million. The expansion will address the growing demand for arena space as was identified in Richmond Hill’s 2013 Recreation Plan.

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  • Upgraded Automated Vehicle Location / Global Positioning System (GPS) for Richmond Hill fleet. $1 million

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  • Road reconstruction of local roads and underground infrastructure such as water mains and sewers on Lakeland Crescent and Demaine Crescent. $5.8 million

Along with the Capital Budget, Council approved a 10-Year Capital Forecast to ensure the continued alignment of short and long-term priorities. Council and staff will now turn to the public process for developing the 2016 Operating Budget. A public information session will be held at Hillcrest Mall on Saturday, January 23 and an interactive budget exercise will be available online between December 15 and February 12. The Operating Budget is expected to be approved in early 2016.

For more information about the 2016 Capital Budget or Operating Budget, including the dates of upcoming Budget Committee meetings, visit RichmondHill.ca/Budget.


Backgrounder - 2016 Capital Budget Highlights – $84.5 million

Environment
Environment Projects at $13.8 million

• LED Lights Phase 2 - Conversion Plan
• Lake Wilcox Baif West Storm Water Pond

Transportation
Roads and related design and construction projects at $15.8 million 

• Road and underground infrastructure reconstruction including Lakeland Crescent, Demaine Crescent, Ashlar Road, Anzac Road, Alsace Road and Coon's Road (design)
• Gormley Court Culvert Replacement
• Bayview Avenue Street Lighting Regional Project (Elgin Mills Road to 19th Avenue)
• Annual Road Overlay Program
• Leslie Street Sidewalk and Multi-Use Trail (Highway 7 to 16th Avenue)
• Leslie Street Sidewalk / Trail (Elgin Mills Road to W. F. Bell Parkway)
• Newberry Park Multi-Use Trail and Illumination

Parks and Trails
Existing parks/open space design and construction at $15.1 million

• David Hamilton Community Park Revitalization
• Morgan Boyle Community Park Revitalization
• Little Don Park Revitalization
• Bradstock Park Revitalization
• TransRichmond Trail – Gamble Glen Connection
• Hidden Springs Parkette
• Macleod’s Landing Trail Connection

Facility Projects
Facility Projects at $25.0 million

• Ed Sackfield Arena Twinning
• Civic Precinct Project
• EBC Accommodation Plan
• Multi-Facility Lighting Retrofit

Information Technology
Information Technology at $7.5 million

• Integrated Financial System (ERP) Requirements Documentation
• Parking Ticket Manager System
• Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) / Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Print Strategy & Copier Replacement
• Business Process Management for Access Richmond Hill