Alliston Herald

Today's Weather

Clear and -4°C

>>more weather info

Alcona Glen crosswalk finally coming

BY Rick Vanderlinde, Staff February 10, 2010 12:02

Work on a long-awaited crosswalk for Alcona Glen Elementary School is expected to begin next week, according to Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope.

“I actually expected it to be started last week,” Wauchope said. “But I’ve been told the work should start Feb. 16 and will take about 10 days to complete.”

Parents living in a new subdivision south of the school have been clamouring for the crosswalk since last spring, saying busy Innisfil Beach Road is too dangerous for children to cross.

Wauchope called for a solution last June after he watched as a young student was nearly struck by a car as he crossed the road.

Council decided to install a temporary crosswalk, which will be replaced with a permanent crosswalk when the section of IBR in front of the school is reconstructed.

The crosswalk couldn’t come too soon for Anna Armstrong, who sits on the school’s parent council.

“First they said September, then it was Thanksgiving, then it was Christmas and it still isn’t here,” Armstrong said. “Parents were really upset when they saw temporary lights go in at the new No Frills store and we still didn’t have our crosswalk.”

Wauchope said he shares the frustration of parents, teachers and students.
Technical difficulties, including waiting to locate underground utilities in the area, caused the delays, Wauchope said.

“Some of these private companies don’t come in to help as soon as you’d like when you want them to locate the utilities,” Wauchope said. “It kind of ticks you off.”

Armstrong said the issue has been so frustrating for parents, local politicians may pay a price in October’s election.

“People that are moving into this area deserve better than this,” she said. “None of these guys are going to get my vote. Some of these guys have had their day.”

The issue sparked a change in policy by Innisfil council, which had an “unwritten rule” that school communities should help pay for crosswalks on municipal roads.

Last September, council passed a resolution calling for “the installation of one pedestrian crossing, per year, at each Innisfil school commencing with the 2010 budget.”

Cookstown public school is the first to get a crosswalk under the program at a cost of $100,000.

As well, councillors will make sure the cost of crosswalks for new schools are included in future subdivision agreements.

“If they drop the ball on something it’s their responsibility and they should take ownership and fix it,” Armstrong said.

Most parents never agreed that school communities should be forced to raise money to help pay for crosswalks and sidewalks.

“I don’t think we should have to raise money for safety issues,” she said. “That’s why we pay taxes.”

More Innisfil Journal Articles

Campaign helps 'Y' help others
In 2009, the local facility assisted close to 900 members with subsidies, totalling almost $150,000.

Detour traffic during IBR work: report
A temporary gatehouse would be located at the Alderslea location

Mild weather melts ice fishing
Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s Midhurst office advised anglers to get huts early

Friends cycle to fight cancer
The women will hop on bicycles on June 12 and June 13 for a 200-kilometre sprint from Toronto to Niagara Falls

McGuinty helped developers profit, NDP claims
QUEEN'S PARK — Innisfil landowners met premier in May 2008 at $5,000 per plate fundraiser

Mayor's assault case pushed to April
BRADFORD — Jackson's next court date may reveal more about criminal charges

Lawyer sentenced 22 months for fraud
BARRIE — Myles McLellan was convicted in October 2009 for a false mortgage scheme valued at $160,000.00

From the streets to the canvas
BARRIE - Janet Jones brings her exhibition, DaDa Delirium, to the MacLaren Art Centre through May 23.

Carnival comes to town
BARRIE - The Music Arsenal brings its fun-filled children’s show, Carnival of the Animals, to the Gryphon Theatre on March 13.

Club puts on its dancing shoes
BARRIE - Since 1989 the Barrie Ballroom Dance Club has been waltzing, tangoing and chachacha-ing its way to a good time.

SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.