The initial concept drawing of the proposed Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute was up for debate at the Public Open House at the Plex October 16.

Hub Staff

A variety of comment cards, study reports and one whistle were on display at the Ontario Nuclear Innovation Institute (ONII) Open House event at the Plex October 16. The event drew a bustling crowd and highlighted various stations that touched on different aspects of the proposed facility planned for the area adjacent Bruce Country Museum & Cultural Centre.

Information available included the museum's expansion, parking and traffic information, ideas for incorporating area heritage, as well as conceptual architectural drawings.

Overseeing the project was Frank Saunders, Bruce Power’s Vice-President Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs. Saunders said the Open House was a chance for people to look at the information currently available and provide the County with feedback on the project.

“Tonight is really just about input," said Saunders October 16. "A lot of people asked us to have some input into what the ONII might look like and where it might be so this is a chance to do that,” he said.

Saunders added that with the initial concept drawings on display it was the perfect time for early feedback. "If you waited until it’s too far done then there’s not much you can do," he said.

Throughout the evening Saunders received both positive and negative comments about the proposed centre. “From what I've seen, and certainly some people are critics, by and large we’re getting a lot of helpful thoughts on what it should look like," he said, including more of a blend with current neighbourhood esthetics and for the glass to be "toned down a bit".

Going forward Saunders said there would be more sessions as 2018 would be a planning year. "We can still change things," he said.

Bruce County Museum Director and Curator Cathy McGirr who was stationed at the Museum's concept layout station said every comment made will be formulated into data and will be made public at a public engagement website listed below. McGirr touched on the possibility of a shared space concept. "The Institute could use the Museum space and we would have access to the Institute's space as well," she said.

The busiest stations at the Open House were the conceptual exterior designs as well as traffic and parking. An initial Traffic and Parking study was completed by Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited (PTSL) on Saturday, September 29 and Thursday, October 4.

The analysis identified that traffic volumes did not reach the threshold where an all-way stop or traffic lights would be required at any of the study area intersections.

Therefore, traffic signal control is not warranted for installation at any of the study area intersections. The study also indicated that volume does not warrant exclusive left-turn and right-turn lanes.

In terms of parking at the Museum and neighbouring GC Huston Public School, the analysis indicated that two municipal lots were less than 50% utilized during the study days and on-street parking and on-street parking on the east side of Victoria Street experienced high use between 3 and 3:30 p.m. during the week coinciding with after school pick ups, resulting in 78 to 87% peak occupancy during those times. Utilization outside of the drop off time period ranged from 30 to 60%.

On-street parking on the opposite side was found to be under utilized during both the weekday and Saturday periods surveyed while on-street parking along both sides of High Street saw the highest occupancy between 12:30 and 1 p.m. reaching 68 to 73% occupancy.

About 40 minutes into the Open House, Heritage Committee member Gabrielle DiFrancesco blew a whistle to interrupt the event and requested a chance to question Saunders. "We feel that we have questions that we want answered and we also want a public forum," she said.

Saunders asked that everyone return to the meeting's format and told DiFrancesco that he would be happy to attend an arranged meeting and discuss "but I'm not going to let you take over this meeting," he said.

To view the information made available visit www.nuclearinnovationinstitute.com/the-institute/location-public-engagement.

Saugeen Shores Heritage Committee member Gabrielle DiFrancesco used a whistle halted the Open House and gain attention from attendees October 16.

Frank Saunders, Bruce Power’s Vice-President Nuclear Oversight and Regulatory Affairs chatting with a member of the public at the Open House October 16.

Comments about the location, parking and design were made and will be formulated into data that would be made public.