OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 8, 2009 · 8 Parking Cars at The Canadian Open Helps in a Big Way! New St. Thomas Aquinas won't be ready on time Field lighting still major stumbling block The new St. Thomas Aquinas high school isn't likely to be completed in time for a planned September 2010 opening, according to staff with the Halton Catholic District School Board. In a report to trustees on Tuesday night, superintendent Giacomo Corbacio said delays with building permit approvals have made it "most unlikely" that the $32 million replacement of the Dorval Drive school will be ready on schedule. The board's project schedule had called for construction to begin by mid-March to accomplish the September 2010 opening. However, while demolition of the threestorey section of the existing school is substantially complete, the board isn't expecting to receive a building permit to start construction until at least mid-July. According to Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson, who sits on the Town's Site Plan Committee, the main delay is related to legal requirements and paperwork surrounding improvements to the section of Dorval Drive between Rebecca Street and Lakeshore Road. Board staff is waiting to begin construction before developing a new project schedule, but has suggested the implementation of new Oakville secondary school attendance boundaries may need to be delayed as a result of the project delay. A report on the boundary changes is expected to be delivered to school board trustees early in the fall. While construction on the replacement school building is expected to get underway this summer, the board and the Town still haven't ironed out the thorny issue of lighting for the new artificial turf field planned at the school. Staff with the Town is looking into ways to address concerns of nearby residents that the lighting will intrude onto their properties. Once the report is completed, the issue will still need to be considered by the Town's Site Plan Committee. "Lots of people who live around there don't want the lighting. They're afraid it's going to spill over," said Robinson, who added that he has also heard from people who are "mad as the dickens that we're not getting this done more quickly." 500 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 500 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! VOLUNTEER TO HELP MANAGE A PARKING LOT FOR THE 2009 RBC CANADIAN OPEN JULY 20-25 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton needs your help! Volunteer incentives include a FREE T-shirt & Day Pass to the Open!* Sign up to volunteer or get more information about this exciting fundraiser Please call (905) 339-2355 or email: openparking@bbbshalton.ca *Restrictions apply. United Way Member