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construction crane. New-home construction was not news in a town Mame popula- tion shot to more than 30,000 earâ€" lier in the decade. What was new were the build- ings and other infrastructure con- structed during the last 12 months largelybecause of that growth. An arts centre, fire hall and twin- pad arena were all being built in 2009, but not without controversy. There were record numbers 0 hockey championships earned and an NHL camer launched. oumnmcIown crier Marcel Bow decrared Stouflvflle'snew downtownartsoentre open in May. ~:' : , - «I. , a. A -. M“ >_ r w ‘, STOUFMLLE CUPPERS: Three Ontario minor hockey titles and its name on the new arena in 2009. MICHAEL DEL zone: New York Rangers draft pick got off to huge start in the NHL DIANE WARD: Citizen of the year continues to work with several orgaâ€" nizations in Stouffville area. BY JIM MASON a SANDRA now We honoured our top citizens. jmason Gyms-com while marking the 25th anniVersary $01M?” mx- ‘0’" of our summer festival. - , th But, it wasn’t all‘fun and games. . mmmomiuuua was 8 Several suddgn deaths also rocked 8p «08: 59:00.50 =aEco: In Whitchurch- Stoufl‘ville, itwas more like the year of the : As the yearends, we look back at people, places and issues at the centre of Whitchurch-Stoutfville news in 2009 LONGâ€"AWAITED STDUFFVILLE ARTS CENTRE, FIRE HALL 0PEII, WITH MORE FACILITIES ON THE WAY the community. Since 1889, the building behind Main Street’s clock tower has been a town hall, concert venue and mar- ketplace, as well as a movie the- atre before returning to being the starts, council rejections, planning and $3.8 million worth of renova- tions, the building now known as the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment - Nineteen on the HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROM THE STAFF OF THE SUN-TRIBUNE NINETEEI (IN THE PARK Park opened The facility was named after Stoufiville resident and local busi- nessman Joe, Lebovic who paid $100,000 for the naming rights, as well as for the building's location - 19 Civic Avenue. The facility, which consists of the original brickwork and ceiling. has a great hall with 124 retract- able and tiered seats, a kitchen and state-of-theâ€"art sound system for movies and concerts. “It’s a really classic, beautiful facility that I think has a ‘wow' fac- tor,” said Dorie Billich, manager of Culture and museum services for the Town of Whitchurch-Stoufi'ville at the building’s unveiling. The building has been busy this month with Christmas concerts, press conferences, the centre’s pro- fessional series and the Olympic Torch Relay reception. Callsforanewfirehall and arena ice were being answered in 2009. The cost? $26,337,172. That was the winning tender for construction of a twin-pad arena and fire hall on Weldon Road between Nofrills and Stouflville District Secondary School. The fire station, named in hon- our of former fire chief Walter Smith. opened last month. 'IWenty-four-hour service by full-time firefighters will be intro- duced to Stoufl'ville next week. Those firefighters have classy new digs, including a large kitchen and lounge, gymnasium, sleeping quar- ters and training area. ARENA FIRE HALL However, at'least one council- lor thought the building was too opulent. The arena, the Stouffville Clip pers Sports Complex. is scheduled to open Feb. 2. The ice pads are close to identi- cal. There are individual seats on each pad and standing room on top â€"whereyoucanseetwogamesat once through the glass divider. TheplaoEisbianglassandGip- per colours - ted, black and white. Not only did they have an arena named for them, the Clippers, Stouflville’s rep hockey teams, won banners for their rinks in 2009. The Stouffville minor midget Clippers, peewee Clippers and STDUFFVILLE CUPPEHS See wms, page 3. ITAY CAFE! m: DON’T 0mm: «In omv: FROM ALL D? U. AT THE