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Wednesday, December 1, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 3 INCINERATOR Continued from front The environmental assessment (EA) for the incinerator, which began in March 2006 and cost a total of $12.5 million to complete, was submitted to the Environment Ministry for review and approval in July 2009. The cost of the EA will be shared evenly between the Regions of York and Durham. The business case approved by the Region for the incinerator has flowed all the Federal Gas Tax Funding, $14.7 million annually, to the project for the next 35 years. The Orono Times has been trying to contact Anderson since Nov. 22nd. He has yet to return any calls to The Times. Construction on the facility will begin next year, with a completion date in 2014. The Region's garbage, which is currently being trucked to a landfill site in Michigan, will be trucked to a landfill site in New York State begining in 2011. The new 15,000-square foot Shoppers Drug Mart building, at the corner of King Avenue and Mill Street, was designed to complement the historical theme of downtown Newcastle. It will likely open at the end of February, 2011. SHOPPERS Continued from front Loyal Printing Lt. "Everything with the printed word" We now offer full colour digital printing! 5310 Main St., Orono L0B 1M0 · 905-983-5301 builders, said a typical new Shoppers store is 18,000 square feet. The only criticism of the new building came from one member of the coffee group who said that there was no entrance door at the back of the building, so those coming from the other side would have to walk all the way around to the front to get in. This might prove to be difficult for some seniors and those in wheelchairs, it was suggested. Lorraine Forget, owner of Butler's and the Sears dealership, said she is pleased that Shoppers has chosen to remain in downtown Newcastle rather than move further afield, like many big box stores. "As a merchant, I think it's an excellent idea to keep the downtown downtown." Forget said she also liked the design of the building, "It totally blends in with the architecture; it's the old and the new coming together." "I think it represents a significant turning point in downtown development," stated Allan Kirby, president of the NV&D Historical Society. "It does a very nice job of tying in the architecture into a central theme." Kirby said Shoppers took the best design elements from the town, such as the brick work, lentils and brick colours used in both the Town Hall and the building which houses the Clark Family Chiropractic Centre, and incorporated them into its design. "You just stand there and look, and you can see what they've incorporated from those two buildings. They've used the same design elements. That's what makes it a winner." "By sacrificing an old building that wasn't historic, it has restored pride and an historic theme to the downtown core," said Kirby, noting he was in the "difficult position" of being in the Historical Society and yet speaking in favour of the demolition of the old building. "The old building could have never recovered the cost of restoration, it would have continued to deteriorate," he said, explaining the society's decision to support the new building. "We recognized that you need the renewal. We are very proactive, positive and realistic about creating a viable economic zone in the downtown area." "We were the ones who spoke in favour of it. We presented a four-page brochure at Clarington Council, with the recommendation of the historical frontage of the building." "That's the way forward," said Kirby. "There's a tremendous impetus for positive historical renewal in the downtown core, like the downtowns in Port Perry and Cobourg. We just need the individual landowners to jump on the bandwagon." Kirby said he hopes the new Shoppers building will inspire other developments under consideration to see the benefits of historical designs, for the betterment of the merchant downtown. "We can't compete with Walmart. What will survive are niche market stores. If you build a modern building with a 2010 design, in a few years it becomes dated. Historical designs, neo-classical designs don't become dated. We have to peel off the metal and the stucco and bring the old girl back to some of her charms." ~ Happenings ~ Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - Carol Sing Along, & Desserts, Orono Town Hall, 6:30-8pm. December 1-4, 2010 - Orono's Olde Fashioned Christmas, Downtown Orono. Events and Activities planned for various times & locations. Dec.3, 2010 - Jan.1, 2011 - 3301 Old Scugog Road Christams Lights, Bowmanville. Come and enjoy the Christmas lights and donate non-perishable food for the Clarington East Food Bank. Saturday, December 4, 2010 - Breakfast With Santa, Orono Town Hall, 9am - 11:30am. Saturday, December 4, 2010 - Heather Rebekah Lodge #334 Annual Bazaar, 11 am - 2pm, 124 Church Street, Orono. Crafts, Bake table, Nearly new, Tea room. Lunch available for $5. Saturday, December 4, 2010 - St. Francis of Assisi Christmas Bazaar, 11 am - 2 pm, Parish Hall, Newcastle. Penny sale, country store, bake table, white elephant, flowers, lunch. Sunday, December 12, 2010 - St. Saviour's Heritage Christmas Dinner, carols 5:30 pm, dinner 6:00 pm, St. Saviour's Hall. Tickets 905-983-9642, adults $12, children 6-12 $6, under 6 free. Wednesday, December 15, 2010 - Oddfellow & Rebekah Centre Roof Fund Dinner, 6pm, Pork Loin & Homemade Pies, advanced tickets only, $15. Contact Connie at 905-983-5726. Friday, December 31, 2010 - New Years Eve Dinner & Dance, Orono Town Hall, Contact Judy for tickets and info 905-983-9494.