Client Profile: The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville is a community of around 40,000 residents, located approximately 50 kilometres north-east of downtown Toronto. Referred to as “country close to the city”, it offers small-town charm in a location convenient to the amenities of the big city. The Town’s landscape includes rolling farmland, scenic ravines, and forested highlands. Historic Main Street Stouffville, the community’s Downtown core, features shopping, dining, arts, culture, and entertainment.
The Project
In recent years, the population of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has significantly grown, resulting in a need for increased municipal services and facilities. The Town identified a need for a new, larger municipal office to better serve the needs of its growing population.
After an extensive business case analysis, an existing building was chosen as the site for the new municipal office. It was purchased by the Town and underwent extensive renovations. The completed facility features 62,000 square feet of office and meeting space. Initially, the Town will occupy 38,000 square feet of the space, an area 25% larger than its old, leased administrative building. The unutilized space will be rented out to others until needed in the future.
The Solution
Despite having more than $4 million in capital reserves to put towards the project, The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville needed additional funds for the purchase and renovation of its new municipal office. The Town approached Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to obtain low-cost financing for the remaining $6 million needed to complete the project.
With funding in place, work on the project began in December 2010. The building was completed and ready for staff occupation by July 2011, with an official public opening taking place in September 2011.
“Borrowing for the first time, the Infrastructure Ontario Loan Program has been nothing but a pleasant experience for our growing Town. The efficiency of the application process, professional staff, along with the low interest rates made Town Council and staff extremely happy.”
Marc J. Pourvahidi, Director of Finance/Treasurer - The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville
The Result
The new Whitchurch-Stouffville Municipal Office provides the Town’s administration services with increased office space and the capacity to expand as the community grows.
The new centre allows the Town to place a greater emphasis on customer service as visitors and residents are greeted by a customer reception area upon arrival. The front desk can now handle planning and by-law issues as well as issue permits. In addition to two evening hours per month, the new extended office hours from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm provide more convenient service to the Town’s residents. There is also improved storage space for Town archives which previously had to be stored off-site.
With its increased floor space, enhanced working environment and improved customer service offerings, the new municipal office places The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville in an ideal position to serve its fast expanding population for generations to come.
For more information on the client, please visit their website at www.townofws.ca.