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SARC Gymnasium Addition
Aurora Town Council approved an increase to the capital budget for the construction of the Stronach Aurora Recreational Complex Gymnasium addition. In February 2022, Council approved continuing with the next steps in the planning and design for this project. With their approval of a single gymnasium with multi-purpose spaces and renovations to the customer service and administration areas, staff continued with the schematic design of the addition, proceeded with the required studies, and developed a proposed operating budget.

This addition will enable the Town and user groups to provide activities and events for all ages in the growing community and ensure that Aurora remains a vibrant and active community. If the contract is awarded by mid-July 2023, site mobilization could begin in early August 2023.

Licensed Beverage Pilot Project Approved for Concerts in the Park
On Tuesday evening, Aurora Town Council approved a pilot project that will see licensed beverages (alcohol) served at the August 23 and August 30 Concerts in the Park events at Town Park. Licensed beverages will be sold between 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. on the two dates by an external vendor retained by the Town. Due to the increased safety consideration that comes with the sale of alcohol in public spaces, two paid duty York Regional Police officers and three Town Bylaw officers will be on-site from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to ensure alcohol is not coming in or leaving Town Park.

The 2023 Licensed Beverage Pilot Project will collect data, gather community feedback and measure its success for any future implementation.
Aurora’s Concerts in the Park is a Festivals and Events Ontario Top 100 event entering its 26th year. It is an annual summer tradition with weekly concerts on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during July and August.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan approved
Aurora Town Council approved the recommendations contained in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan governing 2023 to 2027. The firm of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants were retained in May of 2022 to complete an updated Plan. The last Plan was approved by Council in 2016 and was intended as a five-year master plan. A draft Plan was presented to Council on April 4, 2023.

The Plan provides guidance on community priorities and sets a general course for meeting the parks and recreation needs as they are presently defined. Through annual planning and budgeting processes, staff will update and/or establish the estimated capital and operating costs associated with each recommendation prior to implementation.

Traffic calming measure
Aurora Town Council also approved recommendations from staff to proceed with implementing traffic calming measure in the form of speed cushions at Aurora Heights Drive between Bathurst Street and Delayne Drive.

The implementation of the speed cushions (similar to speed bumps) come as a response to requests made from area residents for enhanced traffic calming measures in a number of different areas in Aurora. Town staff completed a thorough analysis of all areas, following the procedures and methodologies outlined in the Town’s Traffic Calming Policy. The analysis determined that the locations at Aurora Heights Drive fit the requirements in the Town’s policy for the implementation of traffic calming measures.

Housing Target and Pledge

Aurora Town Council adopted a motion put forward by Mayor Tom Mrakas that directs staff to identify a locally appropriate Housing Target to meet current and future housing needs for Aurora to 2031 and to develop a Municipal Housing Pledge that affirms the Town’s commitment to accelerate housing supply in partnership with the province. The motion also states that this local Housing Target and Municipal Housing Pledge will be brought forward to Council for approval and be sent to the province prior to the December 15, 2023, provincial submission deadline.