October 31, 2011: On Thursday, Oct. 28, 2011, elected officials and staff representatives from the Halton District School Board, City of Burlington and Burlington Public Library took part in the official groundbreaking of the Alton community complex; Burlington’s largest joint community project.
“As a result of this innovative partnership, we're able to provide our high school students with enhancements that include a larger library and access to more athletics facilities,” said David Euale, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board.
The project is being managed by a team that includes the City of Burlington, the Burlington Public Library and the Halton District School Board.
“Today is an important milestone for the Alton community complex project as this is the first step towards completion of a purpose-built facility that will serve residents of a rapidly growing area of our city,” said Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “We are looking forward to celebrating many more project achievements with our community partners along the way.”
Located on Tim Dobbie Way and Dundas Street and next to the newly constructed Norton Park, the Alton community complex will house a three-storey school with a 200-seat auditorium, a 54,000 square foot (5,017 square metre) community centre with five competition-sized gyms and three additional gyms as well as a public library with flexible classrooms and public meeting space to be used by both students and the community.
“This development will be a great asset to area residents and will provide amenities to help families enjoy a high quality of life,” said Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster.
The joint facility will cost approximately $40.2 million, to be shared by each of the partners — City of Burlington, the Halton District School Board, and the Burlington Public Library.
“This project is such an innovative use of resources (real estate, materials, staff) to deliver services for all ages. By combining investments from the library, city and the school board we are able to efficiently leverage tax dollars,” said Vice Chair of the Burlington Public Library Board, Nancy Douglas. “This new library also addresses the increased reliance on public libraries to provide access to new technology as well as act as community gathering spaces.”
ALTON COMMUNITY COMPLEX
The Alton community complex will include three state-of-the-art facilities: a community centre, a three-storey high school and a joint integrated public library. The architect for the project is Svedas Architect Inc. of Burlington.
All three buildings will operate in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable way. The buildings are equipped with energy efficiency features such as a HVAC system which is 30 per cent more energy-efficient than required under that Ontario Building Code. Automation systems will regulate the buildings’ internal climate and lighting.
In partnership with Burlington Hydro, the complex will support rooftop solar arrays and a side solar wall, which will feed energy back into the city’s power grid system.
Norton Park
Norton Park will feature sports fields, a child-friendly playground complete with splash pad and water play features, a modern skateboard park and outdoor leisure space. There will be picnic space, and pedestrian walkways linking to nearby neighbourhoods.
Note:
Pictured in the photo are, from left to right: Mayor Rick Goldring; President of Bondfield Construction Ralph Aquino; Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster; Halton District School Board Trustee Jennifer Hlusko; Burlington Public Library CEO Maureen Barry; Library Board Vice Chair Nancy Douglas; Director of Education David Euale.