SIXTH MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY
TOWN OF
Ontario Room,
Members Regrets
Robert Hunn (Chair) Connie Weber
Vito Bigioni (Vice-Chair) Sherry Setnyk
Dr. John White Sam Jhangiani
Martha Shultz Sharon Prasow
Carole Robertson
William Broger
Yvonne Hurst, Committee Clerk
Alan Wolfe, Project Management Consultant, Town of
Messrs. Taylor and Smyth, Oleson Worland_Taylor Smyth Architects
The meeting convened at the hour of
1. MINUTES OF FIFTH
THE TOWN OF
That the
minutes of the Town of
CARRIED.
2. CENTENNIAL
COMMUNITY CENTRE EXPANSION PROJECT
Mr. A. Wolfe, Project Management
Consultant, Town of
Extra parking will bring the total number of spaces to 550 (544 regular parking spaces and six handicap parking spaces). It was pointed out that the six handicap parking spaces are adjacent to the front door in one location. The parking spaces will be as ‘flat’ as possible with only enough gradient to allow for drainage.
The architects have met with both Centennial Community Centre staff and the Town to finalize the proposed design. The new construction will include washrooms that are accessible to both the fitness centre and pool. All doors are accessible and a family change room is included in the pool area with private change areas able to accommodate an adult.
Other comments/questions were:
- will toilets have an automatic flusher? Yes.
- Will there be Braille markings to assist blind patrons? This issue has not been addressed.
- Accessible signs should have contrasting colours (e.g. black/white; black/yellow).
- Should ensure that the toilet paper, paper towels and shelf for items are accessible from a wheelchair.
- Ensure that there is sufficient turning radius for entering/exiting washrooms (suggest 7ft x 10ft).
- Suggest that the handle should be in the middle of the cubicle door to aid in closing the door.
- Suggest that the turning circle in the adult change area needs to be enlarged.
- The main doors will be ‘sliders’ for easy entrance/exit.
- It was noted that, although there are some accessibility deficiencies in the existing building, the proposal currently approved by Council does not include addressing these issues. The Committee commented that these deficiencies should be addressed and included as part of the project.
- The front entrance will be covered by a long canopy, the front wall will be mostly glass and benches will be incorporated into the façade to provide interest to this area and provide a suitable entrance area into the complex.
- It was noted that the meeting room is not accessible, however, changes to this area would impact on the banquet room space. Further, the washrooms for the banquet hall are not accessible. It was noted that an additional 400 sq. ft. would be required to make the washrooms and meeting room accessible.
- The lobby will include the ‘Wall of Fame’ along with benches and display cases.
- Automatic door openers are included on all washroom entrances and slider doors are included at both entrances.
-
Signage should be consistent throughout all of the Town
of
Mr. Wolfe indicated that he would speak with the Capital Assets staff with respect to the accessibility of the arena.
THE TOWN OF
THAT a standard
signage program that addresses accessibility issues for all residents of
CARRIED.
THE TOWN OF
THAT Council be requested to consider examining the western existing part of the Centennial Community Centre with respect to accessibility issues and include the remediation of any issues in the current project.
CARRIED.
3. UPDATE
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT,
2001
Regional Councillor Jack Heath advised that the Region will be scheduling a workshop with respect to reviewing accessibility issues throughout the region. He suggested that the Markham Accessibility Committee participate in this workshop. The workshop will probably be scheduled for sometime in October.
4. UPDATE
OF THE “ACCESS TO
Vito Bigioni will contact the
Markham Lions Club to determine if any funding support might be available for
an “Access to Markham Guide”. John White
suggested that the Committee ensure that a suitable distribution system is set
up so that the guide will be received by those that need it. The last project cost approximately
$5,000.00. It was also suggested that
the Committee consider different formats for the information (e.g. hard copy,
disc, website).
A copy of “
5. CITY
OF
ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT SPECIAL
FUNDING
THE TOWN OF
THAT the letter from the City of
Special Funding that will help municipalities employ the staff required to implement
requirements under the ODA be deferred to the next meeting.
CARRIED.
6. NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
7. NEXT
MEETING
The next scheduled
meeting of the Accessibility Committee is on
8. ADJOURNMENT
The Advisory
Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of