On August 18, 2011, Councilor Lloyd Ferguson provided Ancaster A.M. Rotarians with several community updates.

 

 

 

The Hamilton Airport is under a 40-year lease, operated by Tradeport. Cargo traffic is up, while Air Canada and West Jet remain the only passenger airlines flying out of Hamilton. It is hoped that a European carrier will eventually provide flight service in Hamilton. Current plans for the airport are to extend runway 6 – 24.

 

The old Post Office in Ancaster is being converted into a Medical Centre. The new building will be respectful to heritage features.

 

Councillor Ferguson is urging the city to purchase the Memorial School grounds. Ideas to put the area to good use include re-zoning the land to create seniors housing, a permanent home for the Farmer’s Market and possibly an arts centre.

 

New ideas for garbage pick up are also being entertained. In order to encourage more people to use their green bins, the city is considering green bin, blue box, and unlimited leaf bag pick up every week, while only taking garbage bags every two weeks. Every two weeks, however, people would be allowed unlimited garbage. In order for these new ideas to be carried forward, they must demonstrate their ability to save the city money.

 

In regards to public transportation, Ancaster pays approximately ¼ of what Hamilton pays for bus service. If bus service is increased in Ancaster, the community must fund it 100%; however, at this point in time, increasing bus service in Ancaster does not seem needed.

 

Council approved the Ancaster Transportation Master Plan in April, and no appeals were made. The Ancaster community will, therefore, see the reconstruction of Wilson Street from Halson to Fiddler’s Green. In order to accomplish this reconstruction, Wilson Street will be closed from April to July in 2012.

 

Several other issues going forward include: stadium construction, velodrome site selection and budget, the 2012 budget, tennis court construction, closure on the splash pad concept, and the grand openings of Hammill House and the new ice pad.

 

- Alexandra Leek