Aurora Banner February 4

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SPORTS & LEISURE

Council set to serve approval for tennis bubble Pending approval at next week’s council meeting, town will enter into lease agreement for six-court, year-round tennis bubble BY TERESA LATCHFORD

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tlatchford@yrmg.com

nis bubble. Pending final approval at next week’s council meeting, Aurora will enter into a lease agreement with 849400 Ontario Inc. for the construction of a six-court, year-round tennis bubble at Stewart Burnett Park adjacent to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex. Canada Winter Tennis would pay the town $9,000, plus 3 per cent yearly inflation for the next two decades totalling $241,833. It would also assume all construction and operating costs as well as pay the taxes. All the town has to do is provide space on the property. “It’s great not to see the project delayed,” Aurora resident, tennis enthusiast and founder of tennisinaurora.com Kevin Carter said following Tuesday’s general committee meeting at town hall. “People have been leaving

FILE PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN

Tennis player Kevin Carter takes part in the “Monday night club” at Timberlane Athletic Club prior to the facility’s closure last month. Council has tentatively agreed to a plan to build a tennis bubble at Stewart Burnett Park that would permit residents to partake in the sport during winter months.

ENVIRONMENT

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tlatchford@yrmg.com

evision to the rules surrounding tree preservation has failed to take root in Aurora. A lengthy discussion regarding the proposed injury or destruction of trees on private property bylaw saw two revision options rejected and put the town right back to square one when it comes to limiting the number of trees residents and golf courses can remove annually without a permit. Councillor Wendy Gaertner has been advocating for these changes from the beginning

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TELL US what you think about this. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

town to play tennis and it would be nice to see them come back and spend more time at home in Aurora.” When the closing of Timberlane Athletic Club left its members without an option to play tennis during the winter months, Carter began advocating for a facility. He founded a website to collect data and “yes votes” from those in the community who wanted a venue for indoor tennis. “The data collected clearly shows the popularity of this sport continues to grow,” he said. “It also shows that people who play tennis here spend money here doing various errands, eating (and) filling up their gas tanks, meaning there is an economic benefit.” He predicts the bubble will

See page A9.

COUNCIL

Downtown traffic pilot parked for now

Town council leaves tree preservation bylaw as is BY TERESA LATCHFORD

he ball may be back in Aurora’s court as the town gives tentative backing to the construction of a ten-

Staff report with more details expected back at council in early May BY TERESA LATCHFORD

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tlatchford@yrmg.com

ouncil remains undecided on a pilot project that would reduce traffic on Yonge Street at Wellington Street to two lanes in both directions. The street parking plan pilot for the downtown core, originally proposed by Mayor Geoff Dawe, would see one lane each of northbound and southbound traffic with parking on either side of Yonge Street in downtown Aurora. The idea is to make the area more attractive and safe for pedestrians and allow businesses the chance to spill out onto the street with features such as patios.

TELL US: What do you think about this issue? Email tkibble@yrmg.com

and supported the idea of golf courses looking to remove more than 10 trees in one year requiring a permit to do so. However, a number of council members felt the rule was unnecessary, including Councillor Jeff Thom. “Golfers like trees,” he said.

See page A9.

FILE PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

The pilot project would test out the changes temporarily from June to October 2016. “If anyone looks at Yonge Street at any time of the day, it’s single lane in both directions, so it’s already there,”

Dawe said. “What this project is supposed to do is make it official.” See page A10.

COMMUNITY

TRAFFIC

Region to double red-light cameras over 5 years Hoedown organizers host

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info session for charities

BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

he number of red-light cameras at intersections across York Region will double to 40 next year, according to a report coming to a regional committee meeting Thursday. Councillors are expected to approve spending $5.5 million for a five-year contract beginning Jan. 1, 2017 with Traffipax LLC for the supply and installation of 20 new red-light cameras and for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the overall expanded FILE PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT system, which would also include York Region will install more red light cameras this year, like this one the existing 20 cameras. at Yonge Street and Green Lane in East Gwillimbury. The contract could be extended for another five years begincameras have been operational ning in 2022 for an estimated at 20 intersections on regional additional $4 million. roads. As of August 2015, rightLast June, when council ❑ For more stories on this issue, angle collisions at these intersecapproved the concept of adding tions were reduced by 60 per follow bit.ly/1PS24Ay or email 20 new red-light cameras, the cent (from 134 collisions down tkibble@yrmg.com region said the cost would be paid to 51 collisions) over the first 18 through fines. months of operation,” it said. matically cut down on right If the new contract is approved “Experience in other jurisdic angle or T-bone collisions, a at the committee meeting, it report coming to tomorrow’s would still have to be endorsed by committee meeting says. council Feb. 18. See page A9. “Since fall of 2013, red-light Red-light cameras have dra-

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Meeting helps non-profits learn more about applying BY TERESA LATCHFORD

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tlatchford@yrmg.com

ast year’s annual event raised $464,000 for 15 York Region charities as country music enthusiasts gathered under the large white tent in Aurora to take in a night of heel-stomping entertainment and lavish raffle prizes. The event this year is scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17. But for the first time, the event organizers are hosting an application information session for York Region charitable, non-profit and community organizations interested in learning more about the requirements to apply for Magna Hoedown funding, according to spokesperson Erin Cerenzia. “We are hoping the event will raise awareness of what is expected of the applicant,” she said. “This way, applicants have time to decide if this is right for them, if they want

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For more information or to obtain an application form, visit hoedown.ca

to partner with another organization for a joint application or simply consider all their options.” The information session will run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4 in the Town of Newmarket Council Chambers, located at 395 Mulock Dr. There will be a presentation and information packages for the participants to take with them after. The selection process is based not only on the needs of the organization but its ability to complete the tasks required in the application. Successful applicants will be contacted no later than the week of March 14. Applications will be online as of today and the deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. on Feb. 29.


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