Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy’s Monthly Update for April 2023

What’s happening at council

• Council recentlyapproved the final design for the Whitby Sports Complex, which will be located in Brooklin on the west side of Baldwin Street South, south of Hwy. 407. The complex is set to include the largest swimming pool in Durham, a double gymnasium, walking track and twin-pad ice arena. Construction is expected to begin this summer! Work is still underway on design of the outdoor component, which could potentially include pickleball, tennis and basketball courts, a multi-use sports field, playground, skate park and pump track.

• Does Whitby need a refrigerated outdoor ice rink? A motion approved by council on March 20, notes Whitbys ongoing pilot project for natural outdoor ice rinks has been challenging due to fluctuating winter temperatures. Council directed Town staff to report back on opportunities to install refrigerated outdoor ice rinks or skating trails as part of the development of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

• Whitby Council hascommitted to the development of 18,000 new homesby 2031. In October 2022, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing issued a letter to the Town highlighting the Provinces commitment to build 1.5 million homes by 2031 — and assigning a municipal housing target of 18,000 new homes to Whitby.

• Council has approved the semi-permanent closure of Roebuck Street in Downtown Brooklin from June to mid-September to create an outdoor community gathering space. The project started in 2022 as a placemaking pilot project using funds from a My Main Street Community Activator Grant to add Muskoka Chairs, picnic tables a road mural painted by a local artist and planters to the space.

Coming up in April

• Earth Day is April 22 and there are several community clean ups taking place that day including the 20th annual Pitch-In Brooklin event organized by the Brooklin Ashburn Myrtle Lions Club. Clean ups will take place at all parks in Brooklin from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can also check out the Great Lakes Watershed Clean Up from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Heydenshore Pavilion. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Whitby, this event is one of many Great Lakes Watershed Cleanups involving thousands of Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike.

• Looking for some family Easter fun? Kids Safety Village is hosting its annualEaster Eggstravaganzaon April 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Kids can take part in a scavenger hunt, games, flower planting workshop, photo booth and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

• Ramadan Mubarak to all the Whitby residents observing Ramadan this month! Wishing you and your families peace and happiness during this holy month and a joyous Eid-al-Fitr.

• Celebrate Poetry Month on April 6 with an evening featuring some of Durhams most influential Black poets and spoken word artists — including Thunderclaw Robinson, Greg Frankson, Daveisha Francis and Judith Shaw. This event is a partnership between the Whitby Public Library and the Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee,click here for more details.