An outdoor community pizza oven, a portable movie theatre, and an all-ages obstacle course are just a few of the ideas Londoners will have to choose from when they decide how to spend $250,000 of city money to improve their neighbourhood.
Residents across the city will cast ballots Saturday, online or in person, for the proposal they think will best enhance their area as part of the Neighbourhood Decision Making project. For the project, the city was divided into five regions with each receiving an even split of the cash — $50,000.
Over 140 ideas where pitched by Londoners between September 15 and October 27. They were reviewed by city staff and developed into full proposals.
"Often in government and politics people talk about cynicism and how do you combat cynicism and low voter turn out? I've always believed that the answer to that is empowering residents, empowering them with decision making. So by giving them the tools to shape the communities they live in is one small way we can do that," said Councillor Josh Morgan, who championed last year’s pilot project of the same name.
Voting is open to residents of all ages, with each allowed to vote for their three favourite ideas. That opens the door to multiple ideas being funded.
"All of the projects that are picked by residents will create a ranking from the most popular to the least popular idea and then we will start funding them from the top down. We will keep doing that until the $50,000 in that area is used up," said Morgan.
Among the ideas being pitched for funding is outdoor ice rink in Forest Hill Park, running routes in Summerside, a beach volleyball court in Chesham Heights, a half basketball court in Summercrest Park, and a winter BBQ in Old North.
"It is incredibly important for Londoners to show up and vote. This is their decision," said Morgan. "The items that are voted on will happen and so the more people who vote, the more successful the program will be. We need you to participate, we need you to vote and it really is your decision on improving your neighbourhood."
The winning ideas will be implemented next year.
Londoners can cast ballots online between 12am Saturday and 12:01am Sunday or in person at 15 library branches across the city (excluding Glanworth) between 10am and 4pm Saturday.
To view all of the ideas being proposed ahead of the vote click here.
