Should we just build houses, or must we build a complete community?

Summary:

• The Value: The new plaza is a vital civic landmark that builds a complete community, adds essential neighborhood amenities, keeps recreation local, and saves families a 30-minute drive to Newmarket.

• The Finances: The $100+ million cost was funded by developer charges—not your property taxes. However, we must be fiscally responsible with the ongoing operating costs.

• My Plan: As your Councillor, I will protect taxpayers by generating smart internal revenue (like sponsorships and rentals) to offset those operating costs.

• Family Focus: I will advocate for family-friendly scheduling, discounted senior rates, and waived drop-in fees for kids under 4.

• The Bottom Line: Make Shahab Aryan your first choice for Ward 2 to bring independent, engineered leadership to Town Council.
  
  

The Full Story:

As I often do, I recently visited the Health and Active Living Plaza (HALP) and the new 8-acre park with my family for a swimming program and to enjoy the outdoor facilities. It was fantastic to see families, youth, and seniors all coming together for recreation programs, swimming, the library, and even birthday celebrations!

I want to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank the hardworking Town of East Gwillimbury staff. Managing and operating a facility of this scale day-to-day is no small feat. From the maintenance crews keeping the spaces pristine to the program coordinators, librarians, and lifeguards, their dedication is what truly brings this space to life and makes it welcoming for all of us.

From seeing seniors using the indoor walking track to kids enjoying the splash pad and our town's first-ever public pool, it is clear that this facility has quickly become the heart of our community. This plaza gives a shared identity to East Gwillimbury and brings our diverse residents under one roof, showing how we recognize, accept, and celebrate our differences. It is a prime example of how to build a community and add valuable amenities to our town.

With East Gwillimbury projected to grow from roughly 42,000 residents today to over 128,000 by 2051, we cannot just build houses in subdivisions—we must build a complete community, including neighborhood amenities. For years, local families had to drive 30 minutes to neighboring towns like Newmarket just to find a public pool or an indoor place to walk in the winter. Having this central social hub right here in Queensville keeps our time, recreation, and families local.

In my view, this facility is an investment that is absolutely worth it. We have added a true civic landmark to our community that gathers residents together and brings priceless joy to our children.

Addressing the Financial Bottom Line

A project of this scale brings valid questions about cost:

• The Construction: The capital construction costs for the facility and the 8-acre park were funded through development charges on new homes and land conveyances—not funded from existing property tax capital reserves.

• The Operating Costs: However, the ongoing operations and maintenance do impact our town budget. Council has phased in tax levies since 2016 to cover these operational costs.

While this investment is worth it for our quality of life, we must be fiscally responsible about how it is run moving forward.

As your Councillor, I will champion recreational access while protecting taxpayers:

• Revenue Generation to Protect Property Taxes: Actively seeking smart internal revenue streams—such as facility rentals, corporate sponsorships, and expanded programming—to cover operational costs and minimize the long-term tax burden on residents and seniors on fixed incomes.

• Accessible Scheduling: Ensuring prime gym, pool, and studio hours accommodate working parents and commuting families.

• Targeted Fee Relief: Advocating for a comprehensive fee review to offer waived fees for drop-in toddler programs (under 4) and discounted access for seniors.

From its universal accessibility features to its collaboration with the Georgina Island First Nation on public art and crosswalk design, the HALP shows what East Gwillimbury can accomplish when we build inclusive spaces. Let’s make sure it remains vibrant, accessible, and financially sustainable for decades to come.