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Wednesday, April 25, 2007 · Page 2 Life expectancy of arena in question CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The facility would accommodate about 940 fans, not including space in an upper tier standing room. The option would be the lightest burden on taxpayers, with a $200,000 home aying about $31 annually or 20 years based on "worst case scenario" revenue source estimates. Ward 1 Coun. Randy Voakes pushed for another option, a $15 million twopad facility that would carry an $86 annual cost for most homeowners. Voakes said structural studies have been performed on the arena in the past. He said, although he thought Innes' proposal "made a world of sense from a financial point of view...no engineer on the face of the earth would deem (Memorial Arena) safe." Innes said L.P. Meyer suggested that the aging facility "had a very long life ahead of it," and that a further detailed investigation of its condition is worth looking into before committing to one of the three designs. The third option is to build a $10-million singlepad arena and twin the facility at a later date, while still operating Memorial Arena. Mayor Ron McDermott, who cast the deciding vote to delay a final decision while a structural review is performed, admitted he was a little surprised with the costs associated with each option. "It's a little high," he said. "But I've had a lot of people say if it's over $100, forget it. Well, it's $86 at the most." McDermott said he was hoping council would finalize its decision during the meeting but added that he felt it is important to explore all the options. "We're doing the right thing by opening the channels," he said. Ward 4 Coun. Peter Timmins was against all three options, saying he's been receiving complaints from Harrow and Colchester residents about taxes and water and sewer rates already being too high. "It'll be hard to pay for," he said. "We do not want any more debt or taxation." Timmins suggested that only residents of Wards 1 and 2 be taxed for the new facility. Construction on new school to begin in June CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "As far as bus scheduling, it might make it easier for kids," she said. "It just lets them get on and off the bus with their brothers and sisters instead of two different stops. It's an advantage in a lot of ways." The two-storey replacement school, which has yet to be named, will have 26 classrooms, including specialty rooms for art, science and music. A double gym, library and special education classes will also be included. A landscaped interior green space will be situated in the heart of the school, where teachers can take their lessons outside on sunny days. "It's a state of the art building," said Beckan, elated with the design. Director of education Mary Jean Gallagher informed the board of demolition costs for Maplewood Public School reaching about $500,000 and that tapping into reserves for capital funds and working funds will be necessary to address a $3million funding shortfall. Maplewood will stay open during construction, which is planned to begin in June. Baseball diamonds that currently sit on the site of the new school will have to be replaced, said Dan Amicone of Architecttura Inc. Architects, the firm hired to design the facility. Whelan receives Liberal nomination Susan Whelan's name will once again appear on the ballot for the riding of Essex in the next federal election. Whelan was declared the Liberal candidate during the Essex Federal Liberal Association's nomination meeting in Woodslee Friday. After being nominated by Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain, Whelan told supporters in her acceptance speech that she intends to "speak loudly for you in Ottawa." Whelan also addressed the crowd on a number of issues faced by residents of Windsor and Essex County, including the struggling automotive industry, the environment, agriculture and the local economy. NDP candidate Taras Natyshak received his party's nomination at a meeting held March 24. When an election is called, Whelan and Natyshak will be vying to unseat Essex MP Jeff Watson who has yet to receive his party's nomination. 2448 Essex Road 14, Wheatley at the corner of the Wheatley-Tilbury town line Plants, Amendments Landscape Design and Consultation Susan Whelan celebrates following her nomination Friday as the Liberal candidate for the federal riding of Essex. ROOFING & SIDING BOOK EARLY! KEN-CO 776-8340 KEN COLENUTT Call for a FREE Estimate T: 519-825-4217 www.wheatley-woods.ca Residential · Commercial · Industrial Specializing in lawn cutting Sodding, Seeding - Landscaping 24 HR Snow Removal Trucking & Backhoe Services · Power Washing Fully Insured Free Estimates Barney Chauvin Owner ALL WORK GUARANTEED Tel: (519)839-5929 Fax: (519)839-5900 Email: bchauvin@gosfieldtel.com 519-776-6481 TIRE & AUTO SERVICE TOWING 24/7