The Town of Amherstburg sold 15 acres of land in Centennial Park to the public school board for $2.1 million. A very healthy debate has developed around the use of the remaining 12 acres in Centennial Park. Should it be used for a park? Should it be developed for residential housing? Should it be used for something else? These are all good questions. I would like to offer two very interesting possibilities.
The school boards have started developing what they call "academies." Academy students engage in a specialized activity for an hour or so of the school day. Then the students follow the regular curriculum for the rest of the day. Here is the link to the various academy programs offered by one of our local school boards.
As an example, there is a soccer academy at Ecole E.J. Lajeunesse. The students participate in a specialized soccer program in the morning which fulfills the physical education requirement of the Ontario curriculum. Then they follow the balance of the curriculum for the rest of the day. They also have a hockey academy and dance academy, as do other schools in our local school boards. Academies of different types are fairly common.
The Town of Amherstburg could enter into a public-public partnership to create an aquatic facility at the new high school in Amherstburg. The capital cost of constructing the facility inside the new high school would be shared by the Town and the school board. The school board would then assume the cost of maintenance. Students could use it as part of the physical education/academy program. Non-student users would pay a user fee. Amherstburg residents, young and old, would gain an awesome facility.
The school boards have started developing what they call "academies." Academy students engage in a specialized activity for an hour or so of the school day. Then the students follow the regular curriculum for the rest of the day. Here is the link to the various academy programs offered by one of our local school boards.
As an example, there is a soccer academy at Ecole E.J. Lajeunesse. The students participate in a specialized soccer program in the morning which fulfills the physical education requirement of the Ontario curriculum. Then they follow the balance of the curriculum for the rest of the day. They also have a hockey academy and dance academy, as do other schools in our local school boards. Academies of different types are fairly common.
The Town of Amherstburg could enter into a public-public partnership to create an aquatic facility at the new high school in Amherstburg. The capital cost of constructing the facility inside the new high school would be shared by the Town and the school board. The school board would then assume the cost of maintenance. Students could use it as part of the physical education/academy program. Non-student users would pay a user fee. Amherstburg residents, young and old, would gain an awesome facility.
This would constitute a public-public, cost-sharing partnership, which is something that governments really love to recognize with incentive money. It would also be an attractive submission for potential Trillium grants.
Finally, more and more school boards are implementing the elementary "Swim to Survive" program with government funding. Since public pools are scarce, Essex County students are loaded on buses and transported to Windsor to complete this program. By contrast, if Amherstburg had an indoor pool, students all around Essex County could be transported to Amherstburg to complete the program. Rather than sending students (and money) to Windsor, they would come here.
Here is another potential project: a Performing Arts Centre, attached to the new high school. The Performing Arts Centre would have an entrance through the school which could be closed after school hours, and a separate entrance open to the public which could be opened after school hours.
Everything that was said about academies above would apply to the dual-use Performing Arts Centre. The school could use it as part of the arts/academy program for drama, music, dance, etc. The public could use it for public performances after school hours. Again, the capital cost would be shared by the school board and the taxpayers of Amherstburg. The maintenance costs would be assumed by the school board. Students would use if for free and outside groups would pay a rental fee.
Finally, more and more school boards are implementing the elementary "Swim to Survive" program with government funding. Since public pools are scarce, Essex County students are loaded on buses and transported to Windsor to complete this program. By contrast, if Amherstburg had an indoor pool, students all around Essex County could be transported to Amherstburg to complete the program. Rather than sending students (and money) to Windsor, they would come here.
Here is another potential project: a Performing Arts Centre, attached to the new high school. The Performing Arts Centre would have an entrance through the school which could be closed after school hours, and a separate entrance open to the public which could be opened after school hours.
Everything that was said about academies above would apply to the dual-use Performing Arts Centre. The school could use it as part of the arts/academy program for drama, music, dance, etc. The public could use it for public performances after school hours. Again, the capital cost would be shared by the school board and the taxpayers of Amherstburg. The maintenance costs would be assumed by the school board. Students would use if for free and outside groups would pay a rental fee.
This project would be equally appealing for potential government incentive money and Trillium grants. And here is an observation that I have made for a long time: Amherstburgers are often heard saying, "We could be another Niagara-on-the-Lake." Well, you know what makes Niagara-on-the-Lake? Wineries plus the Shaw Festival, which is a Performing Arts Festival. Essex region has wineries. We need to have a Performing Arts Festival, and for that you need a Performing Arts Centre.
One of these projects is achievable with the $2.1 million from the land sale. Amherstburg can form a partnership (both financial and operating) with the Greater Essex County District School Board, and seek financial commitments from provincial and federal government agencies who award incentive money and grants.
I offer these ideas to you for your consideration. Imagine the possibilities.
One of these projects is achievable with the $2.1 million from the land sale. Amherstburg can form a partnership (both financial and operating) with the Greater Essex County District School Board, and seek financial commitments from provincial and federal government agencies who award incentive money and grants.
I offer these ideas to you for your consideration. Imagine the possibilities.