Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2022 Roundup – Central High School Site; 535-551 Brant St. Development; & Mountainside Pool Reopening

Mayor's Mailbag
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Welcome to the Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2022 roundup.The Mayor’s Monday Mailbag is a weekly initiative Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor’s Office has launched to share answers to questions from the public we’ve received through our main email inbox at mayor@burlington.ca or the Mayor’s social media platforms.At the end of the month, we publish a roundup of those most pressing questions we’ve received in the weeks prior.Mayor’s Mailbag – June 2022 Roundup

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL SITEQUESTION:“Could the HDSB eventually sell the Central High School site after the City’s proposed land exchange? And how is the City of Burlington able to potentially purchase the Robert Bateman High School property?”ANSWER:Exchanging the City-owned lands to HDSB as part of the acquisition of Bateman H.S. helps keep Central open. Securing the lands near Burlington Central High School in HDSB ownership has been consistent with the HDSB’s long-term intention to continue operating Burlington Central High School as a school.  If HDSB makes a decision in the future to sell the Bateman site, the City of Burlington would have an opportunity to purchase those lands before they are offered on the open market for developers or others to bid.Any land that’s sold or intended to be sold by a school board must be declared surplus by the school board first. The land assets are circulated to a number of public agencies, such as other school boards, regional municipal governments, lower-tier municipal governments, who get a first change to submit a purchasing bid. No private entities can bid in this first round of circulation. This is governed by provincial government policy in an effort to keep public lands public.As per the Ontario Regulation 444/98 Disposition of Surplus Real Property and Acquisition of Real Property, municipalities have the right to acquire schools sites in advance of them being put out in the open market.Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has stated that she is committed to working with council and staff to submit offers to purchase any surplus school property that is offered for sale. This will allow council, staff and the community to determine the best community use for these lands, as we are currently doing at the Bateman site.In October 2021, Council unanimously directed staff to communicate with Halton schools boards that “the City has an interest in considering any school sites that may become available.” Council further directed staff to report back with a strategy “for the acquisition and community use of current and potential surplus school sites.” The expanded motion and elements can be found here, as well as the link to the Oct. 19, 2021 Council meeting. This motion was in conjunction with the Burlington Lands Partnership that was set up to leverage land for jobs, affordable housing and community amenities.For more frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) around the Robert Bateman site proposals, please click the links below:

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535-551 BRANT ST. DEVELOPMENTQUESTION:“What is happening with the proposed development at 535-551 Brant Street?”ANSWER:At the June 6 Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) Committee meeting, during closed session, Council members received from staff a Confidential triannual litigation update – Feb. 1 to April 30, 2022 (L-16-22).Council members were updated on the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) appeal for non-decision of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments for 535-551 Brant Street – Renimmob Properties Limited that was filed on Sept. 9, 2021. Earlier in the day, during a Special Council meeting on Sept. 9, 2021, Burlington City Council had unanimously approved the staff recommendation to continue processing the application.The proposed mixed-use development called for a 25-storey tower  with a total of 248 residential units; an additional 1,068 square metres of ground floor commercial uses; and the overall height of the proposed tower being 85.75 m (281.33 ft) to the top of the mechanical level.After being in closed, the CSSRA Committee was able to announce back in open session to the public that the City’s legal staff was instructed to attend the OLT to oppose the appeal.Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has stated “the proposed application was neither reflective of the City’s older Official Plan or its newer OP and new vision for this area — and we will fight this appeal at the OLT.”More information about this application is available at burlington.ca/535brantAdditional updates regarding this appeal will be shared with the public as soon as they are made available.

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MOUNTAINSIDE POOL REOPENING DELAYEDQUESTION:“I thought Mountainside Pool was supposed to reopen this summer — what’s causing the delay?”ANSWER:The Mountainside Pool revitalization project began in September 2021 and was scheduled to reopen in August 2022. While every effort was made to complete the project within this timeline, it will remain closed this summer due to trade strikes — specifically excavator and concrete in Ontario.Once the revitalization is complete, the facility will be a fun and welcoming multi-use outdoor swimming pool that invites the community to participate and experience swimming and water play while encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle. Updates will be shared on burlington.ca/mountainsidepoolA grand reopening is currently being planned for spring 2023.The City of Burlington is excited to invite the community to take part in other swimming opportunities this summer, including:Swimming LessonsKick off the summer early with your family by registering for June swimming lessons. June lessons will be offered at Tansley Woods and Nelson Pool and Splash Park. Registration can be completed at burlingon.ca/recreationIn July, a full range of swimming lessons for swimmers of every skill level are being offered at Angela Coughlan, Tansley Woods, Aldershot, Nelson pool this summer during daytime, evenings and weekends.New this summer, the City is also offering swimming lessons for Little Splasher and Timid Toddler skill levels at LaSalle Wading Pool in July. Make a morning of it and enjoy a picnic in the shade after your lessons or have a play date at the playground.Find a lesson time that suits your needs at burlington.ca/recreation. Private and semi-private options are also available.Splash Pads and Outdoor Pool Openings

  • The City’s nine splash pads officially opened for the season on May 21. For a list of locations, visit burlington.ca/splashpads.  Splash pads are open daily from dawn to dusk. No fee or registration is required
  • Nelson Pool and Splash Park opened for preseason modified schedule on June 4 (weather dependent)
  • LaSalle Pool and Splash Park reopened for preseason modified schedule on June 11 (weather dependent)

For summer drop-in recreation swims, lap swim and aquatic fitness programs, registering online to reserve your spot is recommended. In-person, walk-up admissions are accepted where program capacity allows. For program schedules visit burlington.ca/dropinandplaySummer swim memberships are available. Swim all summer long for only $35.70. To purchase online, visit liveandplay.burlington.caNew this summer at Nelson Pool and Splash ParkBefore Nelson Pool opens fully for the summer season (July 1), Nelson Splash Park will be available Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 7 p.m. as a pilot program beginning June 6. The splash park offers a variety of water play features, including a tipping bucket, spray rings, squirting animals, and so much more. Access to this drop-in program is free and registration is not required.

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—*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor’s Media and Digital Communications Specialist

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Mayor Meed Ward’s Weekly Update: June 27-July 3, 2022