Sarnia council has directed staff to further discuss with the Lambton-Kent public school board the possibility of acquiring the former SCITS property.
There's been interest expressed in developing a ‘community hub’ concept, and possibly using part of the site for social housing.
The school board put the more than 175,000 square foot Wellington Street building and 9.2 acres of property on the open market last month. The sale was to close at 2 p.m. last Friday.
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Sarnia council has given staff direction about the renaming of Sarnia Arena.
Mayor Mike Bradley shared the news out of Monday's in-camera meeting, but didn't give further details. An online petition to rename the Brock Street arena in honour of local hockey legend Pat “Whitey” Stapleton gained momentum last May.
Stapleton was the first Sarnian to ever play full-time in the NHL. He spent two seasons with the Sarnia Legionnaires from 1956-58 when he led the team to two Western Jr. ‘B’ championships and one Sutherland Cup.
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Lifeguards and students who help take care of Sarnia parks, sports fields and flower gardens will be hired by the city again this year.
Council approved a new COVID mitigation strategy that outlines a return to seasonal hiring after most of it was scrapped in 2020.
Continued assistance for the small business sector, including rent relief, was also approved.
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A $3.8 million tender has been awarded to Birnam Excavating Ltd. for watermain replacement and road reconstruction on Plank Road and watermain work on Gladwish Drive.
The Plank Road reconstruction project has been a high priority for many years, but didn't proceed because of the high cost.
A grant from the provincial and federal governments will cover over 83 per cent of the cost.
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A six-month pilot project will see Sarnia Transit service extended to Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
The Route 10 Vidal bus, which currently does morning and afternoon rides to the industrial area, is being extended south on Tashmoo Avenue to Maness Court.
Four stops, including residential complexes, the Health Centre and Aamjiwnaang First Nation office will be included.
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A one-year pilot to allow a dog friendly beach in Sarnia has been deferred for one year.
City staff made the recommendation because of the ongoing pandemic and high water tables that have reduced the footprint of area beaches.
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The police service said the investigation found former officer Jaime McCabe-Wyville was not a victim of workplace violence but there was evidence of a toxic workplace within the service due to widespread gossip.
Councillor Nathan Colquhoun asked that the full report be made public, with names redacted for privacy, as soon as possible.
