3rd Public Meeting Results

The public was requested to provide input to Pros and Cons of the 2 undecided scenarios at the 3rd pubic meeting of the Peel DSB Accommodation Review Committee (ARC).

The general feedback from attendees was  that they appreciated the depth of information provided by the ARC at this session.

K-8 Proposal

The K-8 option has been assessed by the ARC and has been eliminated for two reasons: 1. It would result in a student population of over 1,000 children, which is larger than the norm for the Peel Board, and of concern for the students; 2. It is the most expensive of all option estimates at nearly $15 million.

Allan A Martin 6-8

The option for moving all grade 6-8 children within the review area to Allan A Martin is very strongly supported. The board is assessing whether a phased approach is possible so that this portion may be implemented sooner rather than later.

K5 at Byngmount or at Lyndwood? Pros & Cons
Below is a summary of input received through the ARC and public meetings to date.  The nature of this input means that an individual’s own perspective may shift whether they consider a particular fact as a pro or a con.

Byngmount Pros

• Overall most cost effective
• Good access to parks and lakefront
• Safe walking distances to areas such as the Adamson Estate where the Toronto School of Music is and there may be some possibility of working together for the betterment of the students and the Lakeview library
• A new Splash Pad and Water Park going in at Crookes Park  -on major transit route- safe walking distance ( no roads ) to a new Baseball clubhouse for the Cawthra Baseball which has been a big supporter of the community schools.  Byngmount is within walking distance of the community centre and of the swimming pool at Cawthra Park, not as close but the students certainly go there regularly.
• Large Lakeshore population can access site
• Readiness Center already established and closer to the denser populated areas in Lakeview
• For children walking to school, Cawthra & Lakeshore is safer for children crossing (going to Bynmount) whereas Cawthra & Atwater (going to Lyndwood) is a more busy area with 2 high schools in the area and a lot of new drivers in the Cawthra & Atwater area making it more dangerous
• Currently it is not right near another school so traffic for dropping off/picking up kids is minimized
• Byngmount would have a much less percentage of children being bused particularly kindergartens.         
• Access to major transit lines
• Larger home school population / currently all walkers  
• Byngmount is a newer building - It's in best shape at present Large playground/2 stories and with a separate enclosed security courtyard for the kindergartens, and a separate area fenced off for the Readiness Centre. – Byngmount’s relatively large building footprint to add classrooms would not likely be affected at all by the easements since they are far into the yard and the parking lot.
• Closer to some industrial areas, opportunity to partner with businesses (Industrial setting implies it is right in the middle of industry when in fact on two sides of the school it is residential)
• New School would help rejuvenate the community

Byngmount Cons

• Green space will be taken up as a result of renovation /  new build
• Not environmentally friendly  - nearby industrial zoning - pollution, air quality, dirty electricity soil contamination, more traffic congestion, car exhaust and geese droppings may be an issue
• Smaller of the two sites
• Will be over capacity from the start if all of each of the school populations attend the school, in turn no room for potential growth in 10 -15 yrs from now, Suggested to move special ed elsewhere to be below 106% capacity.
• May not be enough parking for all staff once consolidated
• Crossing major roads for other schools students, Lakeshore/Atwater
• At door step of Industrial area
• Major traffic jam as parents drive kids, no longer being able to walk
• Existing easements (how many?) with regards to the Water Treatment Plant, may impact renovation or net new build
• More costly to renovate. Disruption once any type of development/construction is started either for water treatment/power plant/housing-retail
• Not central to all locations – farthest from all schools consolidating.
• Extra bussing will have an impact on surrounding neighbourhood
• Safety of students on busy streets – too close to Lakeshore
• Partially accessible -no elevator/barrier free washrooms
• Access to the lake potentially a safety issue for children around body of  water and no life guards – odor issues after rainstorms.
• Lyndwood closure to draw students to St. Dominics
• More transient pedestrian exposure

Lyndwood Pros

• Largest physical site/capacity - can accommodate both a reno or new build – could accommodate further growth in future if necessary.
• Largest green space –extensive parkland supports physical activity.
• Community use of space –YMCA before & after school program/gym booked 5 nights a week
• Physical accessibility –large footprint for school currently on one floor, most accessible for handicapped students
• Located in a quiet, established residential neighbourhood,
• More environmentally friendly
• Safety -not on major roads, parkland creates a safety barrier to traffic.
• On public transit route –bus routes -SQ 1 through Port Credit (stops at Lyndwood) to Clarkson & from Port Credit to Long Branch Loop
• Double parking lot entrances –kiss and ride
• Most central
• Least costly to renovate Access to parks and community amenities -
• Closest walking distance to Cawthra community center for ice skating
• Closest walking distance to Cawthra pool for swimming
• 2 city parks in immediate area of the school -1 is a city park that has a soccer field and baseball diamond
• Lakeview library is within walking distance of the school
• Fully stocked literacy resource center
• Green space is not taken up by renovations
• Facility has space for Readiness center
• Eliminates field office
• Established special programs could be maintained.
• New school would help rejuvenate the community
• More room for expanding population; potential for population increase if the Catholic District School Board decides to close St. Dominic’s and if scope of city intensification project is broadened
• Neil C Matheson community feels they are more  familiar with the Lyndwood community via the use of public amenities; community center, ice rink, library, pool, Cawthra Elliot Estate and retail stores   (Applewood Acres & Dixie mall), going further to a community they aren’t familiar doesn’t feel logical
• 93% capacity allows for population growth.  Students may return from Mineola.
• Two gyms. 2 parking lots, separate area for buses.

Lyndwood Cons

• Gr. 4 & 5 -current Neil C students would now walk, passing busy streets
• Major traffic jam -many parents would be driving kids,  not taking bus, not being able to walk -not environmentally friendly - Potential for more traffic congestion if St. Dominic’s closes.  Make Atwater busier.
• More costly if accessibility & ReCAPP costs taken into consideration
• Located most west of all schools in review area – longest bus rides.
• Less home school students
• Most busses required of the two locations
• Older building.
•  May not meet future needs of Lakeview development.

Note:
The verbatim text of the public input on pros and cons is available on the Peel DSB web site.