KANATA NORTH NEWS Marianne Wilkinson Councillor, Kanata North LIBRARY STRATEGIC PLAN

Last week the Chair of the Library Board, Jan Harder, presented the Library Strategic Plan for 2008-2011 to a Council Committee. This is the first Board developed and approved long-range Strategic Plan for the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) since amalgamation. The plan maps out the future direction for library services during the next four years and charts a course for the decades ahead. The plan lays out five broad strategic directions and details the key priorities for the OPL over the next four years: Provide responsive services: With a focus on small business, newcomers, entrepreneurs and teens and on building print and electronic collections. Create partnerships for accessible and efficient services Develop places and spaces: Implement upgrades and improvements in existing branches and add new branches and district libraries to support growth and address service gaps Build a new Central Library: A civic cultural focal point, which supports the Citys goals of being inclusive, creative, innovative, proud and liveable Be an accountable and innovative organization For Kanata this includes building a district library to provide additional services for our area. The population has grown significantly since the Beaverbrook Branch was enlarged and the District Library, to be located in the Kanata Town Centre will provide additional services. It is being funded by development charges (fees paid on all new construction) so the capital cost will not impact on property taxes. The District Library together with the Client Service Centre for municipal. provincial and federal services will be jointly located on the main street to be build through the Town Centre and will feature a town square in front of the building. The start of this development has been very slow but it is now starting to move forward and I plan to hold a public meeting on this development later in the fall or early next year. A new Central Library is also needed. The existing library is overcrowded, inadequately serves the disabled and has had some serious structural problems. Replacing it is a major undertaking that will only move forward when funding is in place. The Board has undertaken studies to determine what would be included and how the basic library uses would interact. The Central Library would also serve as a community centre and would likely include some commercial uses. The public will be given an opportunity to comment later in the process.

OTTAWAS DRINKING WATER

Why pay for bottled water when you can drink the finest water in the world from your tap. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has given Ottawa the highest possible rating for water quality of 95-100% with the lowest score being 99.34% and with four facilities receiving 100%. Under the Clean Water Act the City has had to undertake major structural changes at the water treatment facilities and increase the testing to over 125,000 water quality tests per year covering more than 350 items. The increased costs in ensuring you have safe water is reflected in the increase in water rates Kanatas urban areas water comes from the Ottawa River and treated at the Britannia water purification plant. It is then distributed through a number of pumping stations, a large reservoir in Katimavik and watermains to your home. Water at the plant is tested regularly to check its physical, inorganic, organic, microbiological and radiological characteristics. These results are then analysed to confirm that quality is maintained as the water travels through the Citys 2,700 kilometres of pipes. The large watermain and water pumping station presently under construction along Campeau Drive is an important addition to the distribution system.

KANATA NORTH WARD PICNIC

Come out for a lot of fun, entertainment, free food and childrens activities on July 22nd from 4 to 8 pm in the Sandwell Green between Leacock Drive and the Parkway. Parking is available at the Earl of March. Ive ordered a fine day but the picnic will happen whatever the weather.

Serving the residents and businesses in Kanata North

To receive the Kanata North Newsletter, to deal with a concern or make a suggestion contact me at 613-580-2474, email Marianne.Wilkinson@ottawa.ca or through www.mariannewilkinson.com.