Communication, community safety, new pool among concerns for residents at Oct. 8 Mount Forest all-candidates meeting

MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest and Arthur chambers of commerce hosted an all-candidates meeting at the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex on Oct. 8.

Eighteen of 21 candidates attended the event, which saw dozens of residents mingling with candidates and each other.

Among the concerns for residents, the proposed Mount Forest pool was at the top of the list.

“I don’t think it was well priced,” said Nathan Rice. 

“They really hit the mud with that one.”

The proposed pool has been estimated to cost roughly $5.3 million with a fundraising goal of $2.5 million before going to tender.

As of May, roughly $1.51 million had been raised, including $500,000 from T.D. Smith Transport, $250,000 from the Mount Forest Lions Club and $250,000 from the Township of Southgate. 

 The $500,000 donation comes with naming rights for up to 20 years, so the pool will be called the T.D. Smith Aquatic Centre.

Most candidates mentioned the pool in their opening statements, with some emphasizing the importance of youth learning to swim.

Rice said he grew up around the old pool on Parkside Drive and expressed the need for local children to have access to a pool.

Road safety was another area of concern, with speeding at the top of the list.

“It’s a safety concern,” said Susan O’Neil.

She noted the issue extends beyond Wellington North and is a county issue. 

She added she would like to see the implementation of traffic calming measures such as traffic humps and speed bumps. 

With the removal of the county’s automated speed enforcement cameras in November, speeding has increased across the county in community safety zones.

In Mount Forest, northbound on Sligo Road, 93 per cent of drivers were recorded speeding before the cameras were installed. 

That fell to 15% after instillation and has since risen to 25% following their removal.

Another resident voiced concerns regarding council and its communication with residents.

“You just waste your time,” said Clyde Francis.

He added he has experienced frustration when attempting to communicate with council as his “phone calls go unanswered.” 

Some candidates included a need for better communication in their opening statements, with some stating the need to leverage print and social media to better connect with residents.