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10 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, July 30, 2015 | Smith wants clubhouse for residents Pan Am athletes make our riding proud From page 1. be happy to review the potential facility ..." according to the report. "It may be disappointing to the residents, but I would prefer we put our time and efforts into building the new clubhouse for our residents," Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith told The Sun-Tribune. Town staff received drawings for the clubhouse and dome "but it appeared the costs of construction for these facilities was more than the BSDG had originally anticipated," according to the report to council. In November 2014, members of the group asked the town to take over construction of the clubhouse, according to the report, which also notes, since that time, there has been very little communication with them. Part of the original lease agreement included that the town buy the clubhouse, once it was constructed, from the organization for $150,000. That amount was included in the 2015 budget should BSDG not move forward with construction, to enable the town to build it. Vandenberg did not respond to The Sun-Tribune's request for comment. Grants for park, seniors' projects The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has just received $116,589 in federal money to fund a pair of projects. Oak Ridges-Markham MP Paul Calandra, who is a Stouffville resident, gave the news to councillors in person during Tuesday afternoon's town council meeting. Through the Enabling Accessibility Fund, the municipality received $46,589 to construct an accessible playground in the Stouffer Parkette, which is a block north of Main Street on Stouffer Street, just north of Summitview Public School. "I want to again congratulate the town and parks department for recognizing the need to do this and, of course, it is an honour for us to provide that funding to allow it to get completed," Calandra told council. The second grant was from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, created to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday in 2017. The $70,000 will go towards renovating 6240 Main St. The 55+ Club is expected to move into the downtown building once the Latcham Gallery heads to its new home in the expanded leisure centre. "Part of making this country as great as it is, has been the contribution of our seniors to Canada and to communities across this country," Calandra said. According to the Oak Ridges-Markham MP , since he was elected in 2008, more than $12 million in investments has come to Whitchurch-Stouffville. ­ Sandra Bolan The Pan Am Games have certainly made July an exciting month in Ontario. These games are the largest multisport event ever held on Canadian soil and have featured many proud moments for our community. The spectacular opening ceremony, featuring the 1996 Canadian men's Olympic gold medalists in the 4x100 metre relay, was outstanding, as was the performance by Cirque du Soleil and the Parade of Nations. The lighting of the cauldron by Steve Nash capped off a 41-day journey through more than 130 communities across Ontario and Canada, including communities in our own riding. I was delighted to attend torch relays in both Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville. There were 720 athletes representing Canada at the Pan Am Games -- the most out of the 41 participating nations. It took them only five days to eclipse the gold medal total from the 2011 Pan Am Games -- in fact, for Canada, the 2015 Pan Am Games was their most suc- MPP Helena Jaczek Oak Ridges-Markham cessful ever. Local members of our community have also seen success at the Pan Am Games. On July 19 Rosie MacLennan of King City won gold and Karen Cockburn of Whitchurch-Stouffville won bronze in women's Individual trampoline. July 12 Canada won gold in both women and men's rugby 7s. Led by captain Jen Kish, the women's rugby team had a perfect 6-0 record and outstanding 295 points for and only 19 points against. The men's rugby team was led by captain John Moonlight and defeated Argentina 22-19 to win the gold medal in dramatic fashion. I enjoyed both rugby games and I was amazed at the athleticism and pace required for rugby 7s. The gold medals in rugby have a special tie to our community, as Fletcher's Field in Markham is the home of Rugby Ontario. There is more excitement to come. I would strongly encourage you to enjoy the Parapan Am Games, which run from Aug. 7 ­ 15 and will feature 1,608 athletes competing in 15 sports. As all the sports are qualifiers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the events will be filled with exciting competition and should not be missed. Finally, I will be having my annual Community Barbecue on Aug. 8 at the Markham Museum from 1 to 4 p.m. As always, it will feature fun for the entire family and will display the best our community has to offer, including local performers. Hope to see you there! Contact my constituency office at 905-294-4931 or visit helenajaczek.onmpp.ca I need to be alone Plastic bags do not belong in your blue box. Newspaper should go in your blue box, but please remove the plastic sleeve first. Leaving it on prevents the newspaper from being recycled. The plastic sleeve should be reused or go in the garbage. For more information on what can go in your blue box, please visit york.ca/bluebox or call 1-866-665-6752 BETTER BLUE STARTS WITH YOU