Clearview Council Meeting 2026-04-13 | Part 2

Youth Centre gets permanent two-year setup at Stayner arena hall, most social rentals paused

Infrastructure · Significant

Council approved converting the north end of the Stayner Community Centre Hall into a permanent Youth Centre space for up to two years, with external social rentals paused during that period. The move follows the decision to house Belmont seniors at the former Stayner Care Centre, displacing the Youth Centre from its planned location. Staff will explore limited rental use of the south hall for small events and non-profits.

The Youth Centre has been operating in a "modified state" at the Stayner arena hall for six to seven months, setting up and tearing down daily to accommodate other users. Recreation Director Terry Vachon told council that 25 to 30 youth are using a boardroom designed for six to eight, without access to amenities like pool tables, gaming stations, computer desks, and private meeting rooms they had at the former Highway 26 location.

The two-year term mirrors the temporary arrangement council made with the Belmont to use the old Stayner Care Centre after the fire. Vachon said the Youth Centre was supposed to move into that building between April and June 2026, but council's decision to prioritize displaced seniors and jobs changed those plans.

The approved arrangement will allow staff to bring back pool tables, ping pong, computer stations for homework, partner meeting space (currently using library study rooms with no privacy), storage, and "furniture to let kids relax and lounge versus sitting in hall tables and chairs." The Youth Centre uses the space four days a week and runs cooking classes in the shared kitchen two to three times weekly.

Councillor Robert Walker said council made a commitment when it created the Youth Centre and needs to keep it: "I think it continues for us to make that commitment and keep that commitment for them for that hall." He also suggested the south hall could accommodate small family rentals (max 75 people, no kitchen access, portable washroom signage) to offset lost revenue.

Resident Valerie Brady submitted a written question objecting to the loss of rental income during a time when recreation "runs at a deficit." Vachon said the hall typically gets 12 to 18 private rentals per year at roughly $400 each, but noted the Youth Centre previously paid $3,800/month in rent at its old location — meaning the township is saving more than it's losing.

Council amended the motion to remove the word "only" from the phrase "recreation-related programming only" for the south hall, giving staff flexibility. Mayor Doug Measures said he doesn't want the public coming back to council because staff said no — "come up with a decision through the CAO... be conscious that we want to help our community." Most social rentals will be paused, but Christmas parties and urgent multi-day events may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis if groups can work around a complex setup/takedown (the pool table alone is in eight pieces and requires professional assembly).

Councillor Marty Beelen noted Grey Highlands matched Clearview's previous funding to Singhampton, and Councillor Phyllis Deneen pointed to the renovated Stayner Legion as another rental option. The mayor reminded council and the public that Clearview has "beautiful halls all over our township" — Duntroon, Avening, Sunnidale — that can absorb displaced events.

Right now, again, it's on a modified basis... a lot of the youth are not using the amenities that they're used to using in that location.
— Recreation Director

A few years ago when we decided that we were going to set up a youth committee and a youth center we made a commitment at that point in time and I think we need to continue to make that commitment to the youth.
— Councillor (Ward unspecified)

This entire situation... came about as a result of us halting the plans to renovate the former Stayner Care Center when the fire occurred at the Belmont and those seniors and those jobs needed to be returned.
— Mayor

Council backs grant application for Singhampton playground, up to $25,000 from Farm Credit Canada

Infrastructure · Standard

Staff will help the Singhampton Memorial Park board apply for a Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund grant (up to $25,000) for playground equipment, and the township will open its Canada Helps fundraising portal for online donations for up to two years. The old wooden playground was demolished in June 2024 after insurance deemed it unsafe; volunteers have raised $19,000 toward a $75,000 goal.

The Singhampton Memorial Park lost its playground to age and wear — not the 2024 ice storm, as some assumed. Volunteer Andy from the Singhampton board told council the wooden structures were in such bad shape that "you'd have to have a splinter kit for every kid that came in," and insurance wouldn't cover it. The community spent eight hours demolishing it in June 2024.

Recreation staff brought forward a recommendation to help the board apply for the Farm Credit Canada grant, which opens this week and closes mid-May with fast turnaround. Amanda Murray, recreation coordinator, said Singhampton is "an ideal village" for the grant given its strong agricultural base. The township would receive the funds and flow them through as a capital project.

The playground project has already secured matching funds from Grey Highlands (the community straddles the municipal border) and raised $19,000 of a $75,000 target. Volunteers plan to build a swing set this summer — "the drawing card to get the kids out," according to one board member — with two strap swings, a toddler swing, and an accessible swing.

Councillor Robert McArthur asked if there were other grants available. Murray said this one is the most timely and appropriate, but staff evaluate others as they come out. Deputy Mayor Paul Van Stavern asked for clarity on ownership; Murray confirmed a 2017 agreement deems the park a municipal capital facility for tax and planning purposes, but the trustees still own it unless the agreement lapses (it runs to December 31, 2035). The agreement allows the township to provide staff support for grant writing without taking over the park.

Councillor Marty Beelen asked if the $100,000 conceptual drawing was accurate. Volunteers confirmed the cost, noting it includes sand base for drainage and safety. The mayor reminded staff to talk to Recreation Director Terry Vachon about buying chains for swing sets, referencing a previous insurance issue with specifications.

The Singhampton Ramp Romp — the 39th annual — is scheduled for Saturday, May 9.

This grant seems to be the most appropriate... it does meet the needs of the Farm Credit Canada application — really about supporting rural communities and those that have a very strong agricultural base.
— Recreation Coordinator

When you look at the equipment... you'd have to have a splinter kit for every kid that came in.
— Singhampton volunteer

Township waives securities, covers permit fees for Creemore bleachers donation

Infrastructure · Standard

Council directed staff to remove the security deposit requirement from the construction lease with Mountainview Custom Homes (Gord's company) for the Creemore bleachers project and agreed the township will pay building permit fees. The company is donating all materials and labour at no cost and has proposed adding dugouts to the project.

The Creemore bleachers project got easier. Council voted unanimously to amend the management and construction lease agreement with 737494476 Ontario Inc. (operating as Mountainview Custom Homes) to drop the requirement for securities and have the township cover building permit fees.

Gord, the principal behind the donation, told council during public participation that his company will donate all materials and work at no cost. He's also working on a design with Burnside's to include dugouts and said donations have come forward that may cover the bleacher costs entirely. He's also trying to line up money for Singhampton's pavilion project.

The motion came out of closed session, listed under proposed acquisition/disposition of land and negotiation criteria. No debate occurred in open session. Council passed it unanimously with no discussion.

The mayor joked he'd like to challenge Gord to a game once the project wraps, referencing council's recent curling bonspiel win.

We're going to be able to donate all the materials work for no cost to the township and we have proposed that we include the dugouts.
— Delegation (Gord)

Council backs school board trustees, demands province consult before governance changes

Delegations · Minor

Clearview passed a resolution supporting the Simcoe County District School Board's position on maintaining elected trustees and calling for a full, transparent, province-wide consultation on governance models. The motion will be sent to the Premier, Education Minister, MPP Brian Saunderson, and municipal associations.

Council supported locally elected school trustees — but not without airing frustration about the lack of contact from their own trustee. The resolution, circulated by neighbouring municipalities, asks the Ontario government to commit to full consultation before making changes that "may reduce or eliminate local elected trustees."

Councillor Robert Walker said he's torn. "We have for the last 4 years not seen our school board trustee at this council chamber," he said, noting council has had no updates on the waitlist position for a new Clearview school, no communication about Wasaga Beach schools' impact on Stayner Collegiate, and no answers about the former Banting school. "I am not happy with the present structure... trustees if it's in their mandate, need to get out to their constituents at least once a year."

Councillor Marty Beelen said he met the trustee once, during a tour of Angus Pine School, and was told she'd attend a council meeting — but she hasn't. The mayor said meeting conflicts (trustee meetings often fall on Wednesday nights) have made scheduling difficult, but he'll extend another invitation.

Walker said he'll support the motion because "trustees... are by far easier to talk to than our provincial government whether it be liberals or conservatives." The mayor agreed the key issue is the call for province-wide consultation. He expressed disappointment in the lack of partnership between municipalities and school boards on shared-use facilities like tracks, arenas, baseball diamonds, libraries, and recreation programming.

The resolution passed unanimously.

We have for the last 4 years not seen our school board trustee at this council chamber... I am not happy with the present structure.
— Councillor (Ward unspecified)

Trustees... are by far easier to talk to than our provincial government whether it be liberals or conservatives.
— Councillor (Ward unspecified)

The point in this resolution here is about a province-wide consultation on school boards... this is an issue right across the whole province and it's disappointing.
— Mayor

Chamber of Commerce gets Wilcox Place lease; Broderick declares conflict as board president

Other · Minor

Council approved a facility lease agreement allowing the Clearview Chamber of Commerce to use ground-floor office space at Wilcox Place (7308A Highway 26). Councillor Broderick declared a pecuniary interest as Chamber board president and did not participate.

The Clearview Chamber of Commerce has a new home at Wilcox Place, right on Highway 26 in Stayner. Council approved a lease for ground-floor office space now that the township's tourism students have moved back into the tourism building, freeing up underutilized space.

Chamber Treasurer Richard Paul thanked the township for being accommodating and praised former landlords Terry Vachon and Amanda Murray. "We have it set up the way we want. We have a nice little boardroom, a nice little office, and a nice little green room that we can take pictures with," he said, thanking Sasha (legal services) and Suzette for leading the charge.

Clerk Felicia noted the timing worked out well with the space becoming available. The mayor joked that Sasha, the new landlord, is "a stickler for details" but also "likes to go to McDonald's, too, like I do."

Councillor Fred Broderick declared a conflict at the start of the meeting, noting he holds the president's position on the Chamber board and would not participate in discussion or voting. The motion passed unanimously among remaining members. A confirmatory bylaw was also passed.

Thank you to the township for being so accommodating to us... we look forward to the new renewed relationship with the township at the Wilcox Place.
— Chamber Treasurer

CyberGnomes robotics team wins North Bay district, heads to provincials and possibly Houston

Delegations · Minor

The Clearview-based CyberGnomes Robotics team (25 youth members) won the North Bay FRC district competition, earned enough points at Welland to qualify for the Ontario championships in Niagara Falls this week, and could advance to the world championship in Houston, Texas. They're fundraising to cover costs.

Andrew Brophy and Deb Brophy brought a blue banner to council — the prize for winning an FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) district event. Team 2013, the CyberGnomes, are North Bay district champions and will compete against 100 of the best teams in Ontario at provincials starting April 17 in Niagara Falls.

The team competed in three events this season: Vancouver (learning experience, no major success), North Bay (district win), and Welland (quarterfinals, plus a Spirit Award for enthusiasm and dancing in gnome costumes). Seven students traveled to Vancouver; the whole squad competed locally. Andrew said the Spirit Award was "really something" given that many teams bring 20 to 30 kids to competitions, and CyberGnomes only had seven on site.

If they do well at provincials, they'll advance to the world championship in Houston. Andrew said they're looking for funding help to cover costs. His mother watches competitions on YouTube and spotted the team's oversized number signs at the bottom of the screen during Welland.

Council congratulated the team. The mayor noted the robots are "really cool" and accomplish impressive tasks each year. Andrew invited anyone with connections or funding leads to reach out. The team is known across the region for gnome costumes and high energy.

We are the proud winners of the North Bay district competition... we competed well enough there that we did not win [Welland]. We made it to the quarterfinals, but that gave us enough district points to qualify for the provincial championships.
— Delegation (Andrew Brophy)

For seven kids to win a spirit award is really something because a lot of these teams have 20 to 30 kids that are at the competition.
— Delegation (Deb Brophy)

Council curling team wins Warden's Bonspiel; Norcross owes a jersey

Other · Procedural

Clearview's council curling team — skip Robert McArthur, Phyllis Deneen, Marty Beelen, and staff member Dale Lightheart — won the Simcoe County Warden's Bonspiel in Midland on March 27. New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Norcross will have to wear a Stayner Siskins jersey after the Siskins beat the Alliston Hornets for the Carruthers Cup.

Skip Robert McArthur led the Clearview rink to victory at the annual Warden's Bonspiel, played in Midland. The team included councillors Phyllis Deneen and Marty Beelen, plus Dale Lightheart from township staff. McArthur joked that "if we won, we were going to do it as a team, but if we lost, we were putting all the blame on him."

Beelen admitted he was "the weakest link on the team, but it was a lot of fun." Deneen said her guard throwing was solid. The trophy will be engraved with their names and displayed somewhere in the township office; the mayor suggested asking the Warden to present it formally at a future meeting.

The mayor reminded Deputy Mayor Paul Van Stavern about the sweater challenge with New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Norcross. The Stayner Siskins beat the Alliston Hornets to win the Carruthers Division Cup this season, so Norcross owes the mayor a photo op wearing a Siskins jersey. Norcross wasn't at the April 14 county council meeting, but the mayor said he'll bring the jersey to a New Tecumseth council meeting if necessary. "Mayor Norcross has got a good sense of humor."

The Siskins didn't advance past the Carruthers Division — Fergus knocked them out — but the mayor said cheering in the stands "has been an absolute pleasure" and winning a cup named after Clearview sports builder Civ Carruthers is "a real feather" for the team.

If we won, we were going to do it as a team, but if we lost, we were putting all the blame on [the skip].
— Councillor (Ward unspecified)

When you go to County Council tomorrow, will you be having challenges with Mayor Norcross... can you clarify that, please?
— Deputy Mayor