I wish everyone a happy New Year and although we had a warm spell, it's still the middle of winter, but spring is around the corner! Unfortunately, at times, there seems to be plenty of bad news around and even locally some inappropriate comments in our community. I want to ensure you that the vast majority of residents celebrate our wonderful and diverse community. There are also many good development projects, and news in our community to share. I have included some here in this eNewsletter and Councillor Butt and I are preparing a hard copy newsletter for the spring. | |
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Due to fluctuating and above average winter temperatures, outdoor rinks are becoming increasingly difficult to prepare and costly to maintain for reliable and consistent use.
Therefore, please be advised that the City instead offers free indoor public skating at the Chestnut Hill Development Recreation Complex Arena (CHDRC) for the 2024 winter season. This approach will provide reliable and barrier free access to recreational skating for our residents – particularly attractive to families with children, and to teenagers. Free Public Skating will be available on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 pm and will be running until March 2024.
The City follows ORFA (Ontario Recreational Facilities Association) guidelines which identifies a maximum of 157 skaters on the ice at one time. Due to anticipated demand, residents are being asked to register their free spot. We will be accepting drop in participants if capacity limits are not exceeded.
Please Note: For 2024, the City’s outdoor natural ice rinks will be limited (weather permitting) to only our northern communities at Claremont Memorial Park, Greenwood Park and at the Whitevale Community Centre – since public transit to CHDRC Arena from northern communities is a barrier to participation.
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Southcott Park playground will be completed in the spring as the rubber safety surfacing, asphalt paving and site restoration work required warm weather to complete.
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Also, the installation of the new playground at Valleyview Park is complete and we are just waiting for clearance from the third party playground inspector that it is safe to open back up to the public.
Also, the same goes for a new playground in Hollyberry Park in the Mattamy Whitevale subdivision, in the Seaton neighbourhood. More exciting news on parks is coming.
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New Paramedic Station on Fifth Concession Road | |
The new paramedic station on Fifth Concession Road, just east of Brock Road is underway with construction and is expected to be completed this spring. | |
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Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre | |
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Introducing Priority Urgent Care and Family Practice!
New Doctors Now Accepting Patients!
Together, with Lakeridge Health’s generous donors and the Durham Region community, they will celebrate the grand opening at 10:00 am on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1690 Dersan Street in Pickering, Ontario.
The new facility will offer a range of day surgeries, including endoscopy, orthopaedics, and gynaecological procedures, and will enable more than 9,000 surgical cases each year. Beyond surgical services, the facility also houses doctors’ offices, urgent care, diagnostic imaging, lab services, and a pharmacy, promising numerous benefits for patients and the broader community throughout Durham Region.
Discover exceptional healthcare at Priority Urgent Care and Family Practice, our brand-new medical facility nestled in the heart of the Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre.
Services Offered:
✓ Urgent Care
✓ Family Practice
✓ Preventative Medicine
✓ Comprehensive Healthcare
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Location:
1690 Dersan St., Pickering, Ontario
The team of skilled physicians is ready to provide top-notch care for you and your loved ones. Don't miss this opportunity to join our growing community of healthy and happy patients.
Register Today!
Visit our website at https://priorityhealthclinic.ca to register and learn more about our services.
Put your health first. Choose Priority Urgent Care and Family Practice for all your medical needs. Your well-being is our priority!
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Become a Volunteer - Jerry Coughlan Wellness Centre | |
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The Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre is looking for volunteers for the third floor surgical Centre. By becoming a volunteer, you will help create a compassionate, calm and dignified space for our patients!
As a volunteer you will:
1. welcome patients as they arrive
2. support patients through their arrival and registration process
3. assist the surgical team, as required, with small tasks
4. help patients who have completed their treatment to retrieve belongings and exit the facility.
What we ask of you:
1. commit to one shift per week (3 hours), for a minimum of six months
2. be a good listener
3. be committed to upholding patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality
4. be flexible and adapt as program needs evolve
Requirements:
1. must have a minimum of two doses of Covid-19 vaccinations
2. must have a two-step TB test (administered by hospital staff)
3. provide documentation regarding your general vaccination status
Your shift is usually on the same day (M-F) and time each week:
1. 6:30 am-9:30am
2. 9:30am-12:30pm
3. 12:30pm-3:30pm
4. 3:30pm-6:30pm (or until last patient is discharged)
Start the application process by clicking here.
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Rick Johnson Memorial Park | |
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Exciting News for Pickering Residents!
Your opinions matter! New recreation opportunities are on the horizon for Rick Johnson Memorial Park in Seaton, and we want you to be a part of the decision-making process.
Rick Johnson Memorial Park offers a variety of amenities, from a spacious sports field to a playground and a charming gazebo. Now is your chance to shape its future programming!
Head over to letstalkpickering.ca/recreation and take our survey before February 29, 2024. Your input will help ensure that the park aligns with the interests and needs of our vibrant community. Let's create a park that truly reflects the spirit of Pickering!
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Celebrating Black History Month | |
The Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce event was a great kick-off for Black History Month in Pickering, at the Chestnut Hill Development Recreation Complex. Wonderful speakers, entertainers, and education and services. Wonderful to see Members of Provincial Parliament, Durham Regional Police Services Chief and officers, Regional Chair and Councillors. Thanks to the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce and all City staff for the event. I was pleased to attend this wonderful and important community celebration and education opportunity with Mayor Ashe and other Pickering Councillors. | |
Road Closure - Third Concession Road | |
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The Region of Durham is advising residents of a road closure on Third Concession Road (future Peter Matthews Drive) in the City of Pickering. This work is for the new bridge span over the Ganatsekiagon Creek and the improved four laning of the road. This work is also related to the southerly extension of Peter Matthews Drive, from Seaton to Valley Farm Road.
When: January 2024 to summer 2025. Unfavourable weather conditions may impact the work schedule.
Where: Third Concession Road (future Peter Matthews Drive) between Clearside Court and Valley Farm Road.
Why: Bridge construction, road widening and reconstruction of Third Concession Road to a four-lane roadway with multi-use path.
Note: Drivers will be required to use alternate routes. Access to the Pickering Dog Park and Seaton Trail parking lot will also be under construction but will remain open to local traffic via Finch Avenue, Valley Farm Road and Third Concession Road west of Valley Farm Road.
The Region realizes that the work may be disruptive and will make every effort to complete the work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Drivers are asked to exercise caution for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and work crews.
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New Pickering Heritage and Community Centre | |
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I was pleased to move the motion and staff report for Council's approval of the tender for construction of the new Pickering Heritage & Community Centre (PHCC) at the Special Council meeting on February 5, 2024 (Report FIN 03-24). Pickering Council approved the tender. Construction at the upper site of the Pickering Museum Village has commenced in this month and is expected to be completed by March 2026, and the new facility will open to the public in Spring 2026.
PHCC will be located at the Pickering Museum Village (Highway 7 & 6th Concession Road), in the Hamlet of Greenwood and will serve as a new gateway and entrance to the museum. The facility will be a multi-use space, providing a broad range of services to the community, including recreational programming, library services and cultural programs. The new centre will replace the old Greenwood Community Centre, will host the Pickering History Room, store artifacts and archives, provide interim community space and programming until construction of the new Seaton Recreation Complex, in addition, it will also provide City staff office space. As Pickering’s first zero-carbon energy building, this facility will replace ageing buildings with a new energy efficient building that will be accessible on all levels to people living with disabilities.
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For more information on the PHCC project and for regular construction updates, please visit the PHCC project page on the City of Pickering Website at www.pickering.ca/phcc. | |
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Grand Opening - Yakyoto Japanese Grill & Bar | |
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Yakyoto Japanese Grill and Bar in Seaton Plaza on Brock Road, south of Taunton Road is now open!
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Thank you for taking the time to read this eNewsletter. I welcome your feedback and comments. You can reach me by email at dpickles@pickering.ca. To continue the conversation between eNewsletters, I invite you to visit my Facebook and website pages.
I also invite you to forward this eNewsletter to other Pickering residents. If they, or someone you know, wishes to subscribe to my eNewsletter or any other City related eNewsletters, visit pickering.ca/eNews to sign-up. eNewsletters are sent out a maximum of once per month and you can unsubscribe at anytime.
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