Parking could improve dramatically at the Sundridge Medical Centre in the near future.
The improved parking is the result of Sundridge council agreeing to a recommendation from the Sundridge and district medical centre committee to buy two adjacent vacant residential lots.
The medical centre committee estimates acquiring the lots would cost $54,012 to $60,700, including legal fees and the planning process.
Medical centre parking capacity became inadequate after a dental office set up shop in the facility, explains Coun. Steve Hicks, who serves on the medical centre committee.
“This creates a challenge for patients,” he says. “People have double parked or park on the side of the road. It's become a safety concern.”
Hicks says the two lots would alleviate a growing parking problem.
Hicks insisted the property owner is “not taking advantage of the situation. “What if they sell it to someone else and then (the new owner) sells it to us for significantly more money?”
The motion to buy the lots was approved with only Coun. Steve Rawn opposed.
Rawn said he felt uncomfortable not knowing the final cost of developing the lot which, he said, could easily double with the removal of clay from the site.
Mayor Lyle Hall said he didn't want to see the opportunity slip by.
As is the case with the medical centre, Hall said the land would be owned by Sundridge, Strong Township and Joly Township.
Strong also has agreed to buy the land. Both Sundridge and Strong are awaiting word from Joly council.
Late January, Sundridge and Strong voted in favour of a $1.1-million renovation of the medical centre. Joly has yet to vote.
The medical centre committee recommended the renovation, which includes interior and exterior improvements, to all three municipal councils.
Strong voted for the renovation in principle, pending the look of the final design and the cost to relocate all the employees at the centre while the work is carried out.
Sundridge council's resolution was similar to Strong's motion.
The renovation would see Strong pay for half the bill, Sundridge footing 40 per cent and the final 10 per cent paid by Joly.
It was agreed Sundridge would take out the loan to carry out the work. The repayment schedule would be over a 30-year period with monthly payments set at $5,619.60. Strong's share would be $2,809.80, Sundridge $2,247.84 and Joly $561.96.
- Rocco Frangione, Local Journalism Initiative, North Bay Nugget.
