THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay’s city council tackled next steps on a proposed indoor turf complex, approved a plan to offer free menstrual products at city facilities, and contemplated new restrictions to open air burning rules Monday, in a meeting that stretched nearly until midnight.
Council welcomes proposals for indoor turf facility
The city will make a call for open-ended proposals from outside entities to build a multi-use indoor turf facility, after a previous version of the project proved too expensive to win majority support at council.
The expression of interest process will come with no parameters on cost, location, or design – a feature Coun. Mark Bentz, who suggested the step, said could unearth more affordable options to build capacity for sports like soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, and more.
Free menstrual products at city facilities
Menstrual products will be offered free at public libraries and city-owned recreational facilities, after councillors unanimously approved a pilot project that will run through 2022.
The project, which will cost the city roughly $65,000 in its first year and $41,400 annually after that, is a step toward equity and dignity for those who menstruate, said mover Coun. Shelby Ch’ng.
Changes to outdoor burning rules considered
The city will consider new restrictions to its outdoor burning rules, to accommodate those with health issues exacerbated by smoke exposure.
Councillors said those health concerns were legitimate and could warrant limiting burning hours or other steps, but need to be balanced with accommodating those who want to have fires.
Council questions Neebing subdivision plans
A local developer hopes to move forward with a Neebing-area subdivision by offering to cover the costs of extending city services to the area.
The plan would see a trunk sewer line extended roughly three kilometres west from Parkdale Boulevard nearly to Mapleward Road, supporting a new subdivision that could include 350 lots.
Councillors expressed misgivings over whether the development would prove more costly than it was worth to the city, while going against the intention to promote urban infill over expansion.
Victoriaville funding
The city will seek to cover up to $250,000 in federal funding to cover design costs to rebuild Victoria Avenue following the planned demolition of the Victoriaville Centre in 2022.
Mountdale fuel farm replacement
Councillors voted to award a tender for replacement of its Mountdale fuel farm to PDR Contracting, which submitted the lowest bid at roughly $1.3 million – significantly above the city’s pre-tender estimate of $942,000.
The facility, which supplies city, police, and other vehicles, was built in 1978, with its single-wall underground storage tanks now 18 years past their expected useful life, city staff reported.
The real cost to the city for replacement is estimated at roughly $1.28 million, after factors like a project contingency and HST rebate are considered.
Pioneer Ridge ICIP COVID Funding
The city-run Pioneer Ridge long-term care home will receive $233,000 to improve its air conditioning systems, funded through the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).
That will add cooling to all 150 of the home’s rooms, and ultraviolet disinfectant lighting to the air system.
Several other area LTC homes also recently received funding for HVAC improvements through ICIP.
