Ajax and Pickering flourishing and well positioned for growth

Posted in: Releases
By Nathan MacDonald
Mar 2, 2011 - 7:09:04 PM

Ajax and Pickering flourishing and well positioned for growth

Board of Trade annual Mayors Address attracts large crowd

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish makes his remarks. Seen also are APBOT President Donna McFarlane (right) and Jason Cameron (left)

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade welcomed more than 150 attendees to the Ajax Convention Centre as the mayors of Ajax and Pickering returned for the annual Mayors' Address on March 2, 2011. Ajax Mayor Steve Parish and Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan outlined the many ways their municipalities are thriving today and how they are building on current success in order to position their communities for future success.

After a warm introduction by Jake Pastore of OLG, the presenting sponsor of the event, Mayor Parish began his remarks. His comments focused on prosperity and economic development.

“Economic prosperity underlies everything we do as a Town. We are focused on enhancing the conditions for job growth in key employment sectors and promoting the over 700 acres of shovel ready employment lands we have in Ajax.”
He stressed the need for proper urban planning in order to ensure that lands are put to the best uses.

“The Town is committed to fostering balanced and sustainable growth,” said Mayor Parish. “We’ll continue to support the creation of places that attract interest and investment,” welcome residents and visitors, and support enhanced employment.”
Mayor Parish pointed to the redevelopment of Pickering Village and the refurbishment of the St. Francis De Salles church as a public arts centre as a way of preserving the best of our past while preparing the way for the future.

“A key priority is the redevelopment of our Downtown into a vibrant destination where our community can gather and business can flourish. And we must revitalize historic Pickering Village into a cultural and heritage hub.”

Pickering Mayor, Dave Ryan framed his remarks in the context of the city’s Bicentennial.

Mayor Dave Ryan of Pickering addresses those assembled.

Mayor Ryan pointed to the Bicentennial as an “historic milestone” and described a city poised to transition from suburban to urban.

“Not only does it represent our rich and storied past. It will also serve as a marker for when we boldly move forward as a city. For on the 4th, we will begin the next 200 years of Pickering’s evolution – or dare I say...transformation?”

Along with the theme of transformation, Mayor Ryan pointed out that construction is underway on a new fully-enclosed pedestrian bridge.

“This 250-metre long structure will span Highway 401 and connect the Pickering GO station to our new Class “A”, LEED-Silver office tower and effectively our downtown core.”

He also highlighted the fact that when the deal for the bridge, the provincial and federal governments committed 10 million dollars to the project. However, he noted that Metrolinx chose to invest an additional $12 and a half million into the bridge to ensure that it will be a showcase of engineering and sustainability.

The city’s vision for the Seaton community was also discussed in the context of broader job growth potential.

“While Seaton represents a significant amount of growth, I am most excited about its potential for 30,000 new jobs as outlined in the Province’s Central Pickering Development Plan. I anticipate that a large percentage of these jobs will be energy-related – which will solidify Pickering and Durham Region’s reputation as the energy capital of the province.”

Finally, he highlighted the opportunity to invest in greenhouse production in order to maximize the yield of Pickering’s agricultural lands.

Also a part of the event, the Board of Trade collected donations for their not-for-profit of choice as they do at all of their signature events throughout the year. More than $950.00 was presented to the Sanctuary - Pickering.

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For additional information please contact:

Nathan B. MacDonald
Communications Specialist
Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
905-686-0883 ext. 229
nmacdonald@apboardoftrade.com

About the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade

The Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade is the voice of the business community in Ajax and Pickering. Established in 1955, the 600-plus members represent an array of business sectors ranging from the service industry to manufacturers and distributors. The group’s advocacy and policy initiatives focus on issues relating to such things as economic development, healthcare, education, transportation issues, community and social development, environment, and energy.

To learn more about the Board, or to become a member, please go to www.apboardoftrade.com