Winter 2020 Update (September 2020-December 2020)
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, the project team has continued to move forward with the concept design process for the site. We are also continuing to learn more about the Weston neighbourhood while adhering to COVID-19 Public Health protocols and guidelines.
Like everyone we are doing things a bit differently by making changes in how we have connected during these first eight months of the project. We have created new ways of staying in touch and this project digital platform is just one example. This digital platform has been visited by 732 unique visitors and has 2,400 page views since its launch five months ago. Thank you for visiting the website and learning about our partnership and our project progress!
Our community liaison point person, Marilyn McCrea, has been connecting with community members and stakeholders via telephone, exchanging emails, and one-on-one walks in conformance with the public health protocols. If you would like to go on a community walk, provide your comments, or ask questions we can be reached at weston@castlepointnuma.com at any time and we would love to hear from you.
As we close 2020 and face the increasingly stringent COVID-19 guidelines, the conversations have shifted mainly towards calls and fewer face-to-face opportunities.
It is without any doubt that the time spent getting to know the people who care about Weston, its past and future, has inspired and informed us and our evolving design proposal, your participation is testament to this community’s spirit, resilience and openness.
BY THE NUMBERS
216 Emails (almost as many in 3 months as in previous 6)
98 Telephone chats
19 Drives around the neighbourhood
20 Walks
48 Visits to Weston related websites/social media pages
Conversations continue to be open, wide-ranging chats while being enlightening and engaging so thank you all for your willingness to spend your time with us. These conversations and chats have provided a trove of learnings and appreciation for the needs, wants, and wishes of the neighbourhood.
We have had great one-on-ones with a host of people who live and/or work in Weston - from all walks of life and all ages:
Members of families: Together and one-on-one
Business leaders and business operators
Co-workers
Educators
Essential workers
Volunteers
Weston Park Baptist Church goers/staff
Youth
Seniors
Long-time and newer residents
Homeowners and tenants
Community association leaders
Community event organizers
Law enforcement/crime prevention
Social services
Conversation topics have been wide ranging, including:
History of Weston community (dating back to the 1700s)
Periods of change - industrial (factory closures), commercial (opening and closing of businesses), transportation (a big one was the building of the Metrolinx station), demographic, social and political landscape
The Intersection of Weston and Lawrence - traffic congestion/safety
Impact of COVID-19 on family life, liveability, routines, commercial viability
Distinct parts of the neighbourhood and how they co-exist and types of residential housing/affordability
Types of retail/commercial – availability of grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, services, and changes to ‘the Main”
Notable landmarks and their relevance to Weston
Community events: Farmers Market; Santa Claus Parade, Busker Fest, Neighbourhood BBQs – what they mean and how they bring the community together and the future viability of community events/programs
Key street views and greenscapes;
Recreation, cultural and entertainment options in Weston
The future – what it must include, what it could be and what will make it even more of a place to live, work, visit and invest in.
In parallel with the community conservations being had, we have been actively working on the concept design for the 1865-1885 Weston redevelopment project. We are incorporating your ideas and comments that we receive into our project design process, including the development of the proposed community hub. We hope to share our preliminary concepts with you in the New Year.
As we close 2020 (what a year it has been!), we wish everyone a warm and festive holiday season!