Strategic Decisions by Council - September 15, 2025

Strategic Decisions from Council 

Consent Agenda Items

Appointments to Grand River Non-Profit Housing Board

2026 Preliminary Draft Capital Budget Report
Staff brought forward the 2026 Preliminary Draft Capital Budget for Council to review before moving forward in the budget process.  Some key projects in the Proposed Capital Budget are:

• A New Housing Action Plan
• An Enterprise Resource Planning system
• Sportsplex Grounds Plan and Lands Site Development Study
• Active Transportation Intersection Improvements, Sidewalk/Wayfinding and Signage Improvements
• Major rehabilitation of Bridge 1-E (Seventh Line, former Eramosa Township)
• Removal, without replacement and construction of turnarounds at Bridge 30-P (Sideroad 5, former Pilkington Township)
• Detailed engineering design and permitting to replace Bridge 29-WG (Sideroad 15, former Wesst Garafraxa Township) and Bridge 28-P (Sideroad 11, former Pilkington Township)
• Noah Road Culverts 4-N and 7-N
• Major Pavement Rehabilitation on Sixth Line E. – WR21 to SR 10
• Full Reconstruction of Smith Street from David St. to Henderson St.
• Douglas Crescent watermain replacement
• Water meter replacement program
• Operations centre construction
• Belwood Hall Renovation
• Sportsplex Roof Replacements 

Next steps in the budget process include:

• October – Budget Engagement and Survey opportunities
• October 27, 2025 – Pre-budget Meeting
• November 21, 2025 – 2026 Draft Budget Book release
• December 2, 2025 – Review of Draft 2026 Budget Book
• December 4, 2025 – Additional Budget Meeting Date (if required)

Report to Council

Water Meter Replacement Project
Residential water meters installed by the Township in 2003 are up for replacement. These meters have a service life ranging from 15-20 years. Council approved the award of the contract to Neptune Technology Group.  This contract will oversee the replacement of 4,720 ageing water meters, a move intended to improve both meter accuracy and battery life. The funding for this initiative will be drawn from the 2025 and 2026 budgets, as well as from available reserves.

The Township will contact homeowners affected by the Water Meter Replacement project. 

Report to Council

Connecting Links Grant Application - Tower and Bridge Street Repaving
Council directed staff to submit an application under the Ontario Ministry of Transportation's Connecting Links grant program for repaving Tower Street and Bridge Street in Fergus.

The condition of surface asphalt pavement on Tower Street from north of the intersection of Tower Street and McQueen Boulevard to the intersection of Tower Street, Bridge Street, and Union Street has deteriorated and is in need of replacement. Similarly, the pavement on Bridge Street from the intersection of Tower Street, Bridge Street, and Union Street to just west of the intersection of Bridge Street and Queen Street needs replacement. The proposed scope of work includes targeted replacement of approximately 3-meter-wide pavement segments on the south section of Tower Street in north and southbound lanes, and full replacement of surface pavement on all other segments and intersections. Works will include milling and removing approximately 70 millimeters of existing pavement and replacing it with new surface pavement.

The estimated total project cost is $1.3 million, of which $1.17 million would be funded by Connection Links grant funding (if successful) and $130,000 would be funded by the Township. 

Report to Council

Election Sign By-law
Council authorized the execution of a by-law to provide regulations for the placement and assembly of election signs on or adjacent to Township roads and Township property, and Repeal Section 4.1 of By-law 2013-004.

The current by-law indicates election signs can be erected following Nomination Day and with that day now in August, the period to display election signs is too long. Other key components to the new draft by-law include:

• Signs to be permitted within six weeks preceding a municipal election
• Definitions updated and/or included
• The list of places a sign cannot be erected has been expanded and includes public parks, Township property, other than road allowances, and within 300 metres of a voting place.

By adopting this by-law, a mechanism is now in place to regulate and enforce the placement and assembly of election signs in time for the 2026 school board and municipal election. Moving forward, staff is committed to monitoring the use of signage related to election campaigns and supporting creative ways to reduce waste from campaign signage. 

Election Sign By-law Report to Council

Multi-Use Recreation Facility Studies
In 2024, the Township initiated an update to its Parks and Recreation Plan to develop a long-term strategy to guide parks and recreation growth and development over the next 30 years. The project began with a comprehensive engagement process involving the community, partners, Council, staff, and local parks and recreation user groups in Centre Wellington. To support the development of the Parks and Recreation Plan, consultants conducted a detailed Needs Assessment to evaluate the current state, identify gaps, and determine future growth requirements. Together, the Engagement Report, Needs Assessment, and Parks Plan informed the development of the Parks and Recreation Plan, which includes a series of recommendations to guide the Township’s future decision-making. 

Community consultation has revealed robust demand for a multi-use recreation facility (MURF). The envisioned MURF would include a gymnasium, indoor turf, walking track, and multi-purpose rooms, addressing a wide range of community recreation needs. The preferred site for this facility is at the Sportsplex, with both standalone construction and expansion options under consideration. The capital cost is estimated at $55 million (2025 dollars), with eligibility for Development Charges funding. Council and staff will also pursue additional partnerships and grants to support the project.

It is projected that operating revenues will cover operating expenditures associated with the MURF. Council was also asked to:

Option 1 – Prioritize the construction of a new Ice Pad within the draft 2026 Ten-Year Capital Forecast.

OR
Option 2 – Prioritize the construction of a Multi-Use Recreation Facility within the draft 2026 Ten-Year Capital Forecast.

Council approved Option 2.  Detailed feasibility studies will be shared with the Township’s advisory committees and made available for public feedback to ensure transparency and community involvement in the decision-making process.

Report to Council

Economic Development and Tourism Strategy (EDTS)
The Economic Development & Tourism Strategy outlines a 20-year vision and a 10-year implementation plan designed to advance sustainable economic growth in Centre Wellington. The strategy emphasizes investment attraction, workforce readiness, destination development, placemaking, and integrated marketing efforts. 

The seven strategic pillars, based on situational analysis and identified priority areas, are inherently interconnected and include recommendations and actions to guide the Township over the next ten years and beyond:

1. Capacity
2. Economic Growth & Resilience
3. Workforce & Livability
4. Investment Readiness & Infrastructure
5. Destination Development & Visitor Management
6. Placemaking
7. Brand Identity, Marketing & Communications

The draft EDTS will be presented to Advisory Committees for further input, followed by sharing with the community through Connect CW and the Key Projects Township Open House on Tuesday, October 21. Following this engagement, the strategy will return to Council with a staff recommendation for approval. The strategy will serve as a cornerstone for the Township’s economic and tourism development over the coming decades. 

Report to Council

Battery Energy Storage Community Benefit Contribution Agreement
At various stages of the Elora BESS LP application, a future Community Benefit Agreement was discussed with Council. This agreement is typical between BESS providers and the municipalities they are a part of. It outlines an annual contribution that the BESS provider provides to the municipality.

Council authorized staff to execute a Community Benefit Contribution Agreement with Elora BESS LP and approved the BESS Community Benefit Allocation Policy. Elora BESS LP has also negotiated a Community Benefit Contribution Agreement with the Centre Wellington Community Foundation (Foundation).

The agreement with the Township includes creating a Reserve Fund that will fund Township capital projects that promote the activity, health and wellness of the community.

The agreement with the Foundation includes establishing an Aypa Community Sustainability Fund. The fund will prioritize grant opportunities that:

• Encourages broad participation and accessibility to safe community recreation activities within the Township of Centre Wellington (e.g., sport, fitness, youth leadership, camping/outdoor education, play groups, arts and cultural activities)
• Enhance natural environment spaces used for community recreation activities (e.g., trails, green spaces) within the Township of Centre Wellington.

Report to Council