Guelph-Eramosa councillors are unanimous in their support of altering the boundary of Rockwood to pave the way for a new Catholic school and church as well as a large expansion of Rockmosa park.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” councillor Doug Breen said of the move.
The township has for years considered altering the boundary in order to expand Rockmosa park in the village’s north end.
In May 2012 the township applied to amend the boundary with Wellington County, which has authority over changes to the official plan.
Last month the township altered its application to facilitate the construction of a new $6-million Catholic school that was announced about a year ago.
On Dec. 16 township planning consultant Bernie Hermsen, of MHBC Planning, outlined the proposal to alter the Rockwood boundary by adding an irregular-shaped parcel of land to the northwest corner of the village.
Most of the land is currently owned by Barb Bonner and a sale to the township for the park portion is expected to be finalized once the official plan amendment is approved by the county.
Four main zoning changes will accompany the boundary alteration:
– 8.7 hectares (21.4 acres) west of Rockmosa park currently designated as future residential will be zoned open space for the park expansion;
– six existing lots (321 to 333 Main Street) directly across from the OPP and fire stations at the north entrance to the village will change from agricultural to residential to include them in the village boundary;
– 3.2 hectares (7.9 acres) to the west of Main Street, immediately behind the aforementioned homes, will change from agricultural to residential with a special provision for a new Catholic school and church; and
– 8.7 hectares (21.4 acres) to the west of the church and school lands will change from agricultural to future residential to make up for the lost residential land due to the park expansion.
The proposal includes the addition of a new road behind the six existing Main Street properties to avoid a school/church entrance off of Main Street.
“I feel like we’ve been working on this forever,” Breen said. “I’m glad that we’re finally getting this done.”
Noting the proposal will triple the size of Rockmosa park and also meet a decades-old need for a Catholic school in the area, Breen said he appreciates Bonner making a deal with the township to allow the move.
“To me this is a win-win-win,” he said, adding he hopes township and county councils support the move when it is time to make a final decision.
Councillor John Scott asked if the six existing lots on Main Street will be receiving water and wastewater services.
Hermsen said he suspects it will be the owners’ choice whether to connect to the services, which will run at the rear of their properties.
Mayor Chris White said the last thing the township wants is to tell the owners what to do.
“Should they choose to hook up it will be at their cost,” White said, but the municipality will not be forcing them to do so.
The mayor called the changes a positive “for everyone across the community” and thanked the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and Bonner for working with the municipality.
“The future looks bright for everyone here,” said White.
WCDSB representative Dan Duszczyszyn said the new school, named Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School, will accommodate 268 students.
He told council the boundary for the school is not yet set, but there are 110 students in the immediate area currently bussed to Guelph Catholic schools – and he expects many more will enroll once the new school is built.
“We’re not interested in building half-full schools,” Duszczyszyn said.
White noted the plan is to locate the school’s gym adjacent to Rockmosa park and the township and board will work together in the future on an agreement to share use of the gym.
Parks and recreation manager Robin Milne told the Advertiser the most pressing need for the expanded park will be additional soccer pitches and more parking. Other possibilities include a skateboard park and a perimeter walking/running trail, he added.
Milne said implementation of the plan will depend on funding. He noted the township may also launch a community fundraising campaign to help pay for the park plans.
The township and county will be hosting a joint public meeting on the proposed boundary alteration and zoning changes on Jan. 27 at 7pm at the Rockmosa Community Centre.
