Hydro Ottawa will be undertaking some system upgrades in the Richmond area over the next several months. The project involves rebuilding an existing pole line located on Shea Road (between Perth Street to Garvin Road). In total, Hydro Ottawa will be replacing and installing 39 hydro poles on both the east and west sides of the road.

Work on this project is scheduled to commence in early February and continue until the end of May 2016. You may notice increased construction presence throughout the duration of the project, including construction vehicles. Traffic control will be implemented to ensure that roads and driveways remain accessible and safe to residents and staff. In order to minimize noise concerns, Hydro Ottawa will ensure that work is completed between 8:00am and 5:00pm. Weekend work may be considered to minimize their presence during peak hours.

Hydro Ottawa has assured me that all residents and businesses will receive advanced notice of the project and be provided with a point of contact regarding the service improvements in their area. Customers will also receive advance notification prior to any planned power interruption affecting their premises. Hydro Ottawa staff and contractors will conduct this work safely and efficiently, ensuring that any inconvenience is minimal.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Emmanuel Coffie, System Designer, who is overseeing this project. Emmanuel can be reached at 613-913-4021 or via email at [email protected].  

Clapp Lane Development

A couple of weeks ago, I briefly mentioned that a slight change would be occurring with regard to the 1125 Clapp Lane development.  Having been accepted by the Manotick Mill Quarter Community Development Corporation (MMQCDC), that change involves a partial change in ownership of the Orchard View family of properties, which includes the Clapp property.  Joe Princiotta will still remain as owner and has partnered with a group known as Signature Retirement Living, a division of Reichmann Seniors Housing.

The impact of this change is minor as the development plans for the Clapp property will move forward as expected.  There will be no changes to the building that the community saw as part of the sale process administered by the MMQCDC.  I look forward to working with both Joe and his new partners as we move forward with the development of this important property within Dickinson Square.

As an aside, Reichmann Seniors Housing (RSH) does have experience in working with municipalities on development of seniors housing in unique locations.  In 2011, after a long municipal process, RSH acquired a waterfront property in Tecumseh, ON as part of an area redevelopment which helped revitalize that part of the community.  I believe they will be a good partner for both Joe and the communities of Manotick and Greely.

For more information, flip the page to the Village Voice which features a few more details on this matter courtesy of Margot Belanger, Chair of Dickinson Square Heritage Management Inc. and member of the MMQCDC.

ORMHA/Manotick Arena Expansion Fundraiser

The Osgoode Rideau Minor Hockey Association will be hosting a Valentine’s Dance to raise funds for the Manotick Arena Expansion. This exciting event will take place on Saturday, February 13th in the upstairs hall of the Osgoode Arena.  Doors open at 7:00pm and you can dance the night away to the sweet sounds of Manotick’s own Whisky River Band until 1:00am.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 by contacting Teri at [email protected].  The night will feature door prizes, a silent auction and light refreshments, in addition to great company, of course.  Silent auction items include:

• Tim Horton’s Gift Basket (150$ Value)
• Round of Golf for Four at Manderley on the Green
• One Week House Rental in Dominican Republic 
• Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Tickets on February 18th (Sec. 106)
• ORMHA 2016-2017 Hockey Fees (up to $500)
• ORMHA Advertising Credit ($500) - to advertise on arena screens

Those are some fairly decent prizes.  I mean, who couldn’t use a week in the Dominican Republic?  If you win, I’ll even come with you.  All you have to do is pay my way.  That’s a steal at twice the price!

The community has been working diligently on raising funds for an expanded Manotick Arena that will feature new change rooms and new community space on the second floor for use by community groups such as ROSSS and the Youth of Manotick Association.  Events like these help those efforts and allow us to have a little fun along the way.

For more information on the ORMHA Valentine’s Dance, please visit http://ormha.goalline.ca/index.php.

54th North Gower Winter Carnival

The winter fun in North Gower begins on Friday, February 5th with a 6:00pm Dinner Theatre, presented by the Anglican Parish of North Gower, at the Alfred Taylor Centre. The play "At the Border” will be performed on the stage after the main course.  It is a one-act play by Bob Wilkins, performed by the Kemptville Players. It involves a Can/Am border crossing (in one building) that is under review as to who should continue to monitor it due to its low number of crossings. Both mayors try to prove their “competency” to run the border operation.

Tickets for the dinner and theatre presentation are $20/person and must be pre-purchased.  Dinner by GrillMaster Catering will include 1/4 BBQ chicken, dinner rolls, baked potatoes, carrots and green beans, and assorted dessert squares.  Tickets are available at Floral Reef Designs (2333 Church Street) and at Perkins Lumber (2338 Roger Stevens Drive).

The fun heats up on Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast at the Alfred Taylor Centre from 8:00am until 10:30am.  It’s a bargain too at $5.00 for adults and $2.50 for children under the age of ten.  Between 9:00am and Noon, Holy Trinity Anglican Church is hosting a bake sale and the outdoor activities begin in earnest at 11:00am. 

The winter carnival caps off Saturday evening with a pasta buffet dinner beginning at 5:00pm followed by the annual, and always entertaining, talent show.  Anyone may enter the talent show, just contact [email protected], or call 613-489-3975, to register.  The buffet dinner is $10 for adults and $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 12.  If you are as lucky as me and have a few kids under the age of 5, you can feed them there for free!

An Afternoon in Austria

The Goulbourn Jubilee Singers European Tour Choir invites all music-lovers to taste the music and flavours of an elegant Viennese café on Sunday afternoon, February 7th, at 2:00pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church (1817 Richardson Side Road). The programme will include light classical music presented by a talented array of performers.

This event is inspired by the up-coming tour to Austria and the Czech Republic by members of the adult choir of the Goulbourn Jubilee Singers in July, 2016. They will be led by conductor Linda Crawford and accompanist Bonnie MacDiarmid. This ensemble will be participating in the annual choral festival at the famous Salzburg Mozarteum, and also performing at the Salzburg Cathedral and at other venues in the Salzburg region. Later, they will perform two concerts in Prague, joining forces with local musicians. This “Afternoon in Austria” café-concert is a fund-raiser for that trip.

Admission is $25 for adults or $10 for children under 12. If you do plan on attending, you are asked to please bring “indoor shoes”, as winter boots are not permitted in the sanctuary. For more information about Goulbourn Jubilee Singers, please visit www.gjsingers.com.  For tickets, please call Brian at 613-591-1937 or email Jim at [email protected].

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If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or contact me by phone at 613-580-2491.