A Message from - Doug Dickerson

Pickering Retail Pages - August 2010

Well, didn't the first month of summer just go zipping by! But what a month it was - a heat wave second to none along with some wild thunder storms. For those of you off on vacation or heading up to cottage country this month, here's wishing you perfect weather and no family feuding.

New Business & Events
Legend Music, owned and operated by Jim & Debbie Broomer, has re-located and can now be found in the Nautical Village at Millennium Square. In addition to retailing fine musical equipment, they turn out fine musical musicians through the lessions provided as part of their personal business service.

I want to express the appreciation and thanks from hundreds of participants, including myself, to the Pickering Rod & Gun Club and the Ontario Federation of Angler & Hunters. On July 10th, these fine organizations operated a free kids "learn to fish day" at Progress Park. Kids, and parents, were provided with a fishing rod, bait and instructions for use. And if they didn't catch lunch - hot dogs, soft drinks and treats were provided. Thanks to Pete Dickson, Vern Mason and all members who volunteered and have been doing so for many years.

Zeera By The Bay just celebrated its 1st anniversary and invited the community to drop in and sample their wonderful Indian cuisine. Owners Avtar Singh Kala and Baldeep Soodan were on hand to greet past customers and new visitors alike. Authentic Indian music and cultural entertainment (and an authentic Indian beer selection) guaranteed everyone enjoyed Zeera hospitality to the fullest and I wish them even more success as they work on plans to grow their restaurant business and catering services.

The Music By The Bay Festival on July 1st was also a huge success. Local residents, Paul & Lori Murray, truly deserve thanks for showcasing some 26 local artists and bands throughout the day and into the evening. Operating from two sound stages in the Nautical Village kept sound technicians and volunteers on the move because most groups prefer to use their own equipment with the change over being done quickly between sets.

Shoppers Drug Mart has recently opened a new location at Walnut Lane & Kingston Rd. as part of the Home Depot site redevelopment with owners and management living right here in Pickering and more local jobs created.
Wal-Mart has completed their refurbishment with the proven knowledge that Pickering is a great place to grow their business.

The City's first Off-Leash Dog Park is busy after opening on Rossland Rd. just east of Valley Farm Rd. And I was also pleased to officiate at the Western Gateway of our waterfront trail which is now open with a new pedestrian bridge spanning the mouth of the Rouge River.

The Temperance Movement of yesteryear would be thrilled at knowing the Brougham Hotel has been restored and now sits in the Pickering Museum Village welcoming all who pass through its doors. My congratulations to the Pickering Village Museum Foundation volunteers who raised funds to contribute to preserving our heritage.

The 3rd Annual "Go Fly A Kite" event, sponsored by Simple Alternative Funeral Centre and manager Paul Carter, had myself, along with hundreds of residents, trying our hand at getting our kites into the air. Kids (and me) were able to construct their own flying machine (kite), decorate it and then let mother nature's breath blow it gently into the sky. A growing appetite was taken care of by treats, a bb'q and soft drinks provided - all at no charge. So much to see and do right here at home and it doesn't cost a penny to participate.

" Thank you" to so many wonderful business supporters in our community.

Construction
It doesn't seem to matter where you go these days, construction is evident and that points to a healthy and growing City. As workers continue to move forward with the reconstruction of the GO Station and new office tower on the Pickering Town Centre site, plans are underway to commence the environmentally enclosed pedestrian bridge (which I have championed since 1996) later this fall and ready for use by mid 2011. Road construction continues all over the City and while every construction worker understands driver frustration, they are also appreciative of your patience while building and maintaining infrastructure for our future.

Work is underway to construct the underground parking facility, followed by the mixed-use towers, to rise on the San Francisco By The Bay site.

A look at the numbers shows construction value to be $134 million to the end of June compared to $112 million for all of 2009. Commercial construction has leaped from $6.6 million at the end of June last year to $37.3 million to the end of June this year.

As I have said many times over the past two years, Pickering has not only weathered a sever global recession in fine fashion but has witnessed a growth within the business community unlike most other communities anywhere in North America. We've added some 4,000 new jobs in the process and that gives credence to my belief that Pickering will continue to develop as a superb community to invest, live, work and play in. Home values have steadily increased and that has given the confidence the banks needed to encourage home renovation loans - along with programs funded by the Federal & Provincial govt's.

Councillor Doug Dickerson unveiling plaque at opening of new Western Gateway First Nations Trail connecting Pickering and Toronto's waterfront.