Round 2 of 2026 city budget deliberations is on tap for Monday’s (Dec.8) council meeting.

Several amendments are being presented by the city’s Director of Finance, Adam Boylan; however, they will not lower the projected six per cent hike to the municipal property tax levy next year.

A major consideration is the rescoping of the Emslie Field grandstand project.

Boylan notes city staff are exploring a ‘fresh start’ approach that would entail demolition of the grandstand, to be replaced by “modern, accessible amenities at a significantly reduced cost.”

These would include new, concrete bleacher pads, accessible bleachers, a barrier-free ramp, equipment storage, replacement player benches and protective netting.

The approximate price tag is $600,000, well below the original estimate of $1.2 million to fully rehabilitate the grandstand.

Boylan adds, “Optional elements, such as a new announcer’s booth, can be reviewed but would be considered add-ons depending on the final pricing of core components. Once estimates are finalized, staff will consult with local user groups and the Accessibility Advisory Committee before bringing recommendations back to council.”

If approved, this project could be funded through the Canada Community Benefit Fund.

A second amendment involves the construction of six permanent sand-based volleyball courts at the south end of Pinafore Park.

The courts would be available for organized rentals and open public use, like the existing pickleball courts in Pinafore Park. The proposed project is to be funded through the Canada Community Benefit Fund at a cost of $275,000.

The third amendment involves relocating the bronze roof gazebo at 1Password Park from south of the basketball courts to a central location near the splash pad.

It would have hydro and water and serve as a shaded gathering space for families, athletes, and large events such as Canada Day celebrations.

This undertaking would be funded through the municipal property tax levy at a cost of $120,000.

Amendment 4 would see the addition of a shade shelter at Jaycees pool.

The project is estimated at $55,000 and would be funded from the city’s tax levy.

And Amendment 5 would see the purchase of a baseball diamond groomer, at a cost of $60,000, funded through the city’s tax levy.

Boylan advises, “The proposed revisions result in a net reduction of $87,000 in capital spending compared to the 2026 draft budget.

“This provides some capacity to accommodate potential minor project overages should they occur through the procurement process. It is recommended that these funds be returned to the city’s Infrastructure Reserve for this purpose.”

While there may be some additional tweaking on Monday, city ratepayers will be hit with an approximate six per cent increase to their municipal property tax levy in 2026.

Included in Monday’s council package is the seventh update from Justin Lawrence on progress at the Yarmouth Yards industrial park.

The most significant item since the last update is the announcement of a $3.2 billion investment by Norwegian firm Vianode to construct a state-of-the-art synthetic anode graphite manufacturing facility (see photo above) that will initially result in 300 new, good-paying jobs.

Plant construction is projected to be completed in the second quarter of 2028.

In general, notes Lawrence, “The projects are on time, and all challenges are being resolved.”

There are, however, several cautionary flags in the timeline included in his report.

Foundation work on the PowerCo EV battery gigafactory (see photo above) was pushed back from the third quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of this year, with a completion date for the facility now the second quarter of 2028.

The start of work on the PowerCo training centre has been moved to the beginning of next year from the third quarter of 2024. Completion is scheduled for the end of 2027.

Tree planting and other environmental projects on the massive site have been extended to the end of 2029.

Completion of the Dalewood water reclamation facility has been pushed back to the second quarter of 2029 from the original date of the end of 2028.

And the Highway 3 twinning project and associated interchanges being undertaken by the Ministry of Transportation will continue through 2029.

And the fate of Joy Dawdy’s swimming lessons conducted in her backyard pool at 21 Philip Street will be determined Monday evening.

Staff are not recommending Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments in a report to council from Michelle Knieriem, Manager of Planning Services.

She concludes, “Staff understand and appreciate that the swimming lessons provided by the applicant are valued by many members of the community. While this value is noted, staff recommend refusal of the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendment applications due to issues of compatibility.

“It is also noted that these amendments should be evaluated on the compatibility of the use without specific consideration for the individual, as the amendments would continue to apply to the property regardless of who was living at the dwelling.

“While refusal is recommended by staff, should council decide to approve the amendments, staff have updated the by-laws presented to clarify that only individuals residing in the home could provide lessons.

“It should be noted that the zoning would continue to apply to the property regardless of ownership, so should the applicant sell her property in the future or others move into the dwelling, they could run backyard swimming lessons.

“Staff noted the possibility of council considering a Temporary Use By-law to allow the use to operate for up to three years, subject to certain conditions.

“Staff do not support this option as, in the staff’s opinion, it would not conform to the Official Plan. As of the date of this report, the applicant has not indicated support for council considering a Temporary Use By-law.”

Council members in the past have ignored staff recommendations, and so Monday’s meeting presents a thorny issue to address.

Coun. Lori Baldwin-Sands has already declared a conflict of interest in the matter, and, in this regard, what would the status be for any member of council whose children participated in Dawdy’s classes?

And, will any member of council call for a recorded vote?

Something former councillor Steve Peters requested on a regular basis.

A new hub for LGBTQ+ youth officially opened this past week in St. Thomas to provide a safe, welcoming, and affirming space for queer, questioning and trans youth and young adults.

Operated by Rainbow Connections, an initiative of the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario (GECO), the drop-in hub will offer resources, supportive programming and a place where young people can feel truly seen, respected and celebrated.

The initiative is supported by the United Way Elgin-Middlesex and Rainbow Optimists.

While the hub is located at 15 St. Catharine Street, Unit 305, the opening celebration was held at 53 Hiawatha Street on Wednesday evening.

We had the opportunity to speak with Amanda Zavitz, Co-executive Director for GECO and  Devon Church of Rainbow Connections, on opening night.

“Our intention is to continue doing so all across southwestern Ontario,” stressed Zavit, “because there’s really such a need.

“And this is just the grand opening of our actual physical community space, which is a big deal because St. Thomas and Elgin county have never had a physical space of this kind before.

“So out of that space, we hope to do more things like peer mentoring. We hope it’s a resource hub.”

She continued, “So the creation of our programming is really around offering a safe space for queer and trans youth. Because they need it, especially in rural communities where they’re facing homophobia, transphobia, hate and homelessness.

“And the homelessness is even more of an issue, not only among youth, but among queer youth. So it allows them to have a sense of community.

“And really, that’s what we’ve heard from the youth themselves. And we’re really proud of that.”

We asked Church about the age group that is the focus of Rainbow Connections.

“Our weekly Tuesday group is 12 to 18. But then once a month we have a young adult social, which is like 18 to 25, 18 to 30. And then we have our queer adult social, which is 18 plus.

“So we try to incorporate everyone.”

Zavitz added, “We do this beautiful thing for our youth who are turning 19. So instead of holding a 19th birthday party, we hold a graduation. Oh, okay. So they’re graduating from the club. So, as sad as it is that it’s not a space that they access anymore, they can go to youth and adult social.”

She continued, “So we have programming that’s sort of all-encompassing, and we really try for the youth to let them create the programming themselves.

“So the nights are organized by the youth for the youth, and they’ve come up with awesome themes like Dino Night and potato potluck.”

Church jumped in, “Oh, my gosh, we had a Renaissance night. We’ve had just basic, like, pizza nights, movie nights. Yeah. Just, like, kids just wanting to be dorky and dance around and . . . be kids.”

Zavitz noted, “We’ve also hosted queer prom at the YMCA. We’ve had a speaker come from Ottawa who’s an activist who spoke at the CASO station. We had a really good turnout for that, maybe 80 people came.

“So there’s definitely a need in the community. And one thing that’s been really beautiful is that everyone whom I speak to about Rainbow Connections has been super supportive.”

“I think the schools have to be more accountable as well. To hold a little bit more accountability with the way that people are allowed to treat queer, trans, and questioning youth in schools. Any marginalized.”

The drop-in centre is drawing young people from Belmont, Aylmer, Dutton and West Lorne.

“We’d like to have a hub in Dutton,” advised Zavitz. “We’d love to have a hub in Aylmer. We’d like to put one in Dorchester. That’s our upcoming plan. Like that’s what we’re working on next, as a phase-in, allowing us to get some of those other spaces up and running, because transportation is a big issue for a lot of the kids; they can’t get rides sometimes.

“They don’t have parents who agree with their choices. Sometimes they don’t have people in their lives who are supporting them, so transportation has been an issue, and so that’s one of the reasons why we want to have other Rainbow Connections hubs in rural communities.”

And foster a relationship with the Thames Valley District School Board, suggested Zavitz.

“I think the schools have to be more accountable as well. To hold a little bit more accountability with the way that people are allowed to treat queer, trans, and questioning youth in schools. Any marginalized.

“That’s their daily lives, and it’s not acceptable. So, you know, we’re just beginning, but our plan is to march forward until we can make some more positive change.”

And what about the link between her and Devon Church?

“We’ve been working grassroots in the community (through GECO). And this just really spoke to me. I mean, I saw what was happening online for the youth, and I came across Devon, and honestly, what really moved me was that I saw that we had a human being in our community who was taking funds out of their own pocket to try to resource these young kids, and it wasn’t okay by me.

“And so I knew that I had some privilege by being the executive director of a major organization. And I wanted to use that in the best way that I could. And so I came up with the concept of Rainbow Connections and wrote the grant, and I have been working with Devon ever since.”

The establishment of a hub is more than just opening a door.

Zavitz stressed, “It’s about opening hearts and creating a community where every young person knows they belong.

“Rainbow Connections and GECO are deeply grateful for this opportunity to support youth and young adults in St. Thomas and the surrounding communities, ensuring that everyone has a place where they are welcomed, empowered, and free to be themselves.

The hub at 15 St. Catharine Street is open Monday through Thursday, from 2 until 5 p.m.

Next door in the County of Elgin, the election of a warden for 2026 will take place on Tuesday evening at the county administration building.

So far, only Malahide Mayor Dominique Giguere has announced her intention to seek the role, although interested members of county council can still submit their name.

Should no other candidates step forward, Giguere would be acclaimed Tuesday evening.

The last female warden was Aylmer Mayor rMary French in 2022. She defeated Central Elgin Deputy Mayor Tom Marks and Dutton Dunwich Mayor Bob Purcell.

Current warden, Southwold Mayor Grant Jones, will serve as deputy warden next year.

The election will take Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope

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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.