It’s being referenced as a historic settlement.
An $80 million compensation package to the Municipality of Central Elgin for the hundreds of acres of land absorbed by St. Thomas for its new industrial park that is to be the home of the PowerCo EV battery plant.
The land was obtained by the city under provisions in Bill 63, St. Thomas – Central Elgin Boundary Adjustment Act, 2023.
The $80 million is made up of $15 million in monetary compensation and access to 7,700 cubic metres per day of wastewater treatment capacity at flow rates equal to City of St. Thomas rates.
This is projected to have a value of $75 to $85 million.
The question to ask is how will this impact water rates for Central Elgin residents?

The announcement was made over the lunch hour Friday at the Elgin County Administration building.
Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan noted, “A key component of the settlement is an upfront payment of $15 million in compensation for the lost tax revenue and costs realized by Central Elgin.

“With these funds, council can address immediate affordability concerns as prioritized in its Strategic Plan.
“Additionally, the settlement includes access to 7,700 cubic metres per day of wastewater treatment capacity at rates equal to the City of St. Thomas.”
Some of the wastewater treatment capacity will be used to support residential development on the site of the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital.
Sloan outlines the long-term benefits of the deal.
“Where previously there was limited opportunity for growth, there is now tangible and significant potential for development.
“Finally the Province of Ontario will be working with the municipality and Elgin county for the development of the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital as part of the recently announced site preparation pilot program.

“But tomorrow, and in the weeks to come, the real work begins and I believe this is a solid first step toward the path to prosperity.”

“The site will be re-purposed for residential development and will contribute to provincial housing targets.”
The County of Elgin will likewise benefit from further expansion of the Central Elgin tax base.
Sloan calls it a solid first step on the path to prosperity.
He made the announcement alongside Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Rob Flack and St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston.
Sloan continued, “As good news continues to flow to the St. Thomas, Central Elgin and Elgin county regions, today we celebrate the most significant advancement for the Municipality of Central Elgin in its 25 years.
“But tomorrow, and in the weeks to come, the real work begins and I believe this is a solid first step toward the path to prosperity.”
Flack noted, “Our government is encouraged by this agreement and we will continue to support the economic growth we are experiencing throughout our region.”

He continued, “I remember when we announced the PowerCo/Volkswagen deal, there was a big celebration, but I remember thinking and saying publicly that the heavy lifting just begins.
“And part of that heavy lifting, I think, just got done. So I want to congratulate both mayors and the municipalities and I also want to give a shout-out to the county, because, at the end of the day, my definition of team is together, everyone achieves more and I think this deal certainly moves forward that concept in a good way, with more to come.”
Preston added, “We are now in a place so drastically different than where we were a year ago.”
“This has been a whirlwind of a year and it’s really only been a slight bit over a year that we’ve been working toward today.
“With the help of the province, the help of Central Elgin, the help of the federal government, we now are in a place so drastically different than we were a year ago.
“And we can look forward to all of us succeeding. With what we’ve decided today with Central Elgin, they now can rush forward from a growth point of view with a future that looks so much brighter.
“St. Thomas can continue that too. The province has made this available to all of us.”

Quick Facts:

• The Municipality of Central Elgin will receive an immediate payment of $10 million, with an additional $5 million to be received on a 5-year payment schedule to begin in 2027
• The total value of the Municipality’s compensation is approximately $80 million
• The Municipality will gain access to 6,000 cubic metres per day of wastewater treatment capacity that will support the development of industrial and residential land within Central Elgin
• The Municipality will also receive 1,700 cubic metres per day of wastewater treatment capacity to support the redevelopment of the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital property for residential use, which will result in further growth of Central Elgin’s tax base
• Elgin county will benefit from further expansion of the Central Elgin tax base and provide valued support in attracting investment to the serviced lands

TESTING THE WATER ON FUTURE AQUATIC FACILITIES

As announced at Monday’s (April 15) city council meeting, the city is undertaking a pilot partnership with the YMCA that will offer city residents access to indoor aquatics programs during the months that Jaycees Pool is closed.
These programs include aquafit, swimming lessons and public swims at the YMCA pool in St. Thomas.
Starting Monday (April 22), aquatics passes will be available for purchase at the Family YMCA of St. Thomas-Elgin at 20 High Street.

The passes will be offered at city rates with proof of St. Thomas residency required at the time of purchase.
This offer will be in effect until the end of the year, except for the months of July and August.
The program is possible through a $100,000 contribution from the city.
Mayor Joe Preston indicated, “This is about us starting to work together in a cooperative way on an aquatic facility.
“If this in itself carries forward, we know where we can look in the future. This is a great start to get affordability for all of St. Thomas to be able to use the Y facility.”
Andrew Lockie, CEO of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario stressed, “This is unique. We do have municipal partnerships all across southwestern Ontario and we’ve learned that partnerships with municipalities are mutually beneficial.
“This is a unique model and we hope to build on what is next in the future. We think a partnership is the right way to go and we know that will have long-term positive impacts in the community.
“We’re very enthusiastic about the future.”
For more information on the program and purchasing aquatics passes, visit http://ymcaswo.ca or http://www.stthomas.ca
It’s obvious this all ties in with the push to construct an aquatic/community centre in the city which has been documented in this corner. Related posts are noted below.

A community/aquatic centre for St. Thomas: ‘If you want to play, how much are you going to pay?’

Will sticker shock dampen the enthusiasm for a community/aquatic centre?

HOSPICE OF ELGIN TO BE KNOWN AS THE COTTAGE

Construction is now underway on Elgin county’s first hospice.
Hospice of Elgin will be a 17,000 sq. ft. facility located on a scenic overview of Waterworks Park.
The cottage-like concept incorporates wood and stone into the design. So much so that the facility is to be known as The Cottage.
But it will be about more than end-of-life care, explained interim executive director Laura Sherwood in a conversation late last year.
“Hospice of Elgin will be intentionally designed to have a cottage-like feel and so we’re actually saying Welcome to The Cottage, a really wonderful space that will connect you to nature, allow families and friends to gather and receive outstanding care at end of life.”
When the palliative care facility opens next year, it will provide care for around 500 individuals and families at end of life.
It will also be a care hub, providing clinic and respite services along with caregiver programs and counselling.

“When doors open, hospice will provide exceptional heartfelt care . . . Hospice will forever change how families say goodbye to loved ones in our community.”

“What is unique in our design,” continued Sherwood, “that most people are surprised to hear is hospice is not just a place where you go to spend your final moments.
“Hospice, or The Cottage as we are referencing, will be a place will come in to get access to care so they can continue to stay at home.”
Hospice of Elgin will offer 10 suites for end-of-life care and expects to provide care to around 500 individuals.
Sherwood continued, “Understanding the unique needs of our community has been a critical part in our design thinking and execution. We listened carefully, and centred the design of our hospice around the needs, gaps, traditions and expectations of those living in our community.”
Board president John Callaghan added, “When doors open, hospice will provide exceptional heartfelt care . . . Hospice will forever change how families say goodbye to loved ones in our community.”

The facility will create 30 or more jobs and opportunities for approximately 200 volunteers.
The general contractor is Graceview Enterprises of Belmont.
There is still the matter of the cost of the facility, however.
In January of 2020 in a presentation to city council, Sherwood indicated construction costs for Hospice of Elgin would be in the range of $5.2 million, with an additional $1.6 million required for development costs, contingency fund, furnishings and equipment.
At that same special meeting of council, it was noted the capital fundraising goal was $9.5 million with an ask of $1.6 million from the city.
Construction would be completed in a two-year phase.
The projected annual operating costs would be in the range of $1.6 million, with the province committing $840,000 toward that figure.
A reminder, the campaign goal now is approximately $17 million.

About Hospice of Elgin

• Elgin county is the only region in Southwestern Ontario without a hospice.
• Hospice of Elgin will build a 17,000 sq. ft. one-floor facility at 8 South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas.
• Hospice of Elgin will provide wrap-around care to individuals (and their families) at end-of-life in a welcoming ‘cottage-like’ setting. Hospice is about comfort, quality of life
and care. This includes addressing pain and symptoms, while also supporting the psycho-social, spiritual, and practical needs of the individual.
• Hospice will be a hub of care, meaning that some people will access hospice services (including a clinic, respite, caregiver programs, counselling) but continue to stay at
home. Hospice will also support families, after the death of a loved one.
• Each year, hospice expects to provide care to 500 individuals in our community, of which 100-125 will die at hospice. The average length of stay is 2-3 weeks.
• There is no cost to individuals or families.
• Hospice of Elgin will create 30+ new jobs and 200 volunteer opportunities for our community.
• Hospice of Elgin is a registered charity governed by a local board of directors representing the community.

Related post:

The good, the bad and the concerns expressed about life in St. Thomas

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE DECLARATION ENDORSED

Last week we referenced a letter from Jodi Marissen requesting city council make a declaration of Intimate Partner Violence as an epidemic in the city of St. Thomas.
You can visit that post here.
She noted in 2019, the St. Thomas Police Service reported over 800 domestic violence incidents.
Her letter was supported by St. Thomas Police Chief Marc Roskamp who confirmed in 2023, there was a 9.5 per cent increase in responding to matters of intimate partner violence and/or gender-based violence.
After investigating, they resulted in 221 criminal charges in 2023, a 30.7 per cent increase over the previous year.

“There should be no question, the post-pandemic environment has exacerbated socio-economic impacts that have required responses from a complex consortium of health, social and justice sector professionals.”

Roskamp advised, “There has been a steady and concerning rise in intimate partner violence throughout Ontario in recent years, including in the City of St. Thomas.”
As background, Roskamp confirmed the police service has “highly trained and skilled police officers and support staff who have Ministry accreditation in the investigation of IPV/GBV matters.”
The police service 2023-26 Strategic Plan outlines domestic violence and violence against women “as a community concern and therefore was included as a priority objective for our consistent attention.”
Late last year the service successfully applied for a Victim Support Grant from the province.
And the service has just rolled out its RISE program which supports survivors and empowers voices.
Roskamp concluded with, “There should be no question, the post-pandemic environment has exacerbated socio-economic impacts that have required responses from a complex consortium of health, social and justice sector professionals.
“With the rises in both violent and non-violent crimes in 2022, the STPS has actioned a number of community-driven initiatives that we believe will be effective in producing positive outcomes for local public safety.”
At the April 15 council meeting, members unanimously endorsed Marissen’s declaration.
And so St. Thomas joins 72 other municipalities across the province who have declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in their community.

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And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.