This Week in Press Releases - May 9-13, 2016

Every week, the City of Guelph and other groups send out notices to announce new events, imperatives, and information that you need to know. Here is this week in press releases.

Construction Begins on Guelph Central Station

On Monday, $2.1 million in renovation work will begin on Guelph Central Station. Amongst the upgrades are a concrete wheelchair ramp at the main entrance; a new accessible washroom; new ticket booths for Greyhound Canada and GO Transit; and upgrades to the existing public washrooms and public seating area. The work being done by Collaborative Structures Limited will take 14 months to complete, but it's being done in two phases so that the station never need be closed. “The renovations will replace the building’s worn out materials while preserving its unique cultural heritage features, improving accessibility and energy efficiency, and accommodating all Guelph Central Station’s transit users,” said Mario Petricevic, general manager of Facilities Management, in a press release.

Food Bank Pushing to Make #EveryPlateFull

The Guelph Food Back is spreading the word that they are taking part in a nation-wide effort by Food Banks Canada called the #EveryPlateFull campaign. As with every year, the Food Bank, which is located at 100 Crimea Street, is having their weekly garage sale to raise funds, but they are also having a colouring contest open to children 12 and under running through to the 26th with the winner of a $50 prize pack from Mastermind Toys of Guelph to be selected by contest judge, Mayor Cam Guthrie. Then, on May 28, Play With Clay will be on site with their bus and people will be able to pay $10 to decorate a plate with $2 going towards our #EveryPlateFull campaign from 10am until 2pm. "Food donations are at their lowest from June to August, and Guelph Food Bank shelves often go close to empty at a time when the need remains constant," said a press release from the Food Bank. "The #EveryPlateFull campaign aims to raise awareness of the continued need for support while asking residents of Guelph to help raise the essential food and funds to get the organization through this challenging period." Last year alone the Food Bank helped 26,800 individuals and distributed 1,195,297 pounds of food. For more info, click here.

Glasgow Neighbours Launching Fundraising Effort

You'll recall a recent podcast highlight the struggles of the Neighbours of Glasgow Street Community Action Group to get a proper hearing for their concerns about the demolition and reconstruction of 202 Glasgow Street North. You'll also recall that they were in the process of appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board and that they were going to put out a call to get fundraising for the effort. Consider yourself called. "The estimated costs to the community action group will be in the range of $7,000. So, in order to fund their appeal, the Neighbours of Glasgow Street North are launching a crowd-funding appeal to their neighbourhood and to the community of Guelph at large," the group said in a press release. Through the website, which can be found here, the group hopes to not only raise funds for their efforts, but educate the public. "The NOGSN wish to share what they have learned to date and their experience with the community of Guelph at large, in the hope that every citizen and every neighbourhood can be better prepared should they find themselves in a similar situation." No date has been set yet for the OMB hearing.

Library Wants You to Know Libraries Matter

The Guelph Public Library is "thrilled" (their word) to announce that library trend watcher, keynote speaker, innovator, author and Executive Director of The Federation of Ontario Public Libraries, Stephen Abram, will be hosting an evening of discussion on "The Changing Roles of Public Libraries." Abram speaks internationally on innovation, technology, marketing and strategic success in libraries and is the author of hundreds of articles, a column in Internet @ Schools, and ALA Editions' bestselling Out Front with Stephen Abram and contributed to Reinventing Reference (2015), Information Services Today (2015), and the 2015 Bowker Library and Book Trade Almanac. So he's an expert on libraries, in other words. The meeting will take place on Tuesday June 7 at 7 pm on the second floor at the Library's main branch on Norfolk Street downtown.

Public Feedback Wanted for Downey Road Traffic Study

If you live in the Kortright Hills West community, the City's looking for your feedback on proposed design and traffic calming options for a section of Downey Road between Woodland Glen Drive and Teal Drive. Residents will be asked for feedback on appropriate roadway classifications, options for reducing speed and enhancing pedestrian and bicyclists experiences on the road, and estimating the impact of closing Downey to thru-traffic, or maintaining it as an arterial road. You'll have one of two options to participate in the workshop: Wednesday May 18 from 2–4 pm at City Hall, and Thursday May 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Kortright Hills Public School gymnasium at 23 Ptarmigan Drive. For more info, click here.

Just What You've Always Wanted... More Road Construction

If it seems like every other road in Guelph is being dug up, here's one more. Road and sewer construction begins on Stevenson Street South on Monday between Grange Street to Bennett Avenue. In addition to water and sewer pipe replacement, work will include the replacement of curbs and gutters, sidewalks and the addition of bike lanes, that last part as recommended by the 2013 Cycling Master Plan. The construction is expected to take six months to complete so long as the weather doesn't become crazy inclement. Local access through Stevenson will be maintained, by drivers may have to be patient when it comes to accessing homes and business. Everyone else, the City wants you to use Eramosa Road, Victoria Road and York Road instead. For more information on the project, click here.