• New Family Physician Recruitment Incentive Partnership Pilot Program approved

Council voted July 26 to approve a new $300,000 capital project for 2023 for a Family Physician Recruitment Incentive Partnership Pilot Program with the Oshawa Clinic Group. The goal of the program is to attract family physicians to the new Whitby Health Centre, opening in spring 2024.

The program will include a $500,000 incentive equally shared between the Town of Whitby and the Oshawa Clinic Group, providing 10 family physicians with an incentive of $50,000 each over a five-year term.

Each physician will be required to work an average of 35 hours per week at the Whitby Health Centre and must have a minimum roster of 400 patients in the first year and 1,000 patients by the third year and maintain this minimum until the end of the five-year term.

An estimated 230,000 Durham residents are without a family doctor practicing in Durham. 

• Project budget approval for Whitby Sports Complex

On July 26, Council gave the green light for a revised total project cost estimate and overall budget of $154.9 million for the new Whitby Sports Complex.

The new complex will be located west of Baldwin Street South, south of the intersection of Highway 407.

Planned amenities include an aquatic centre with the largest pool in Durham Region; a double gymnasium, with three-lane indoor walking track; and a twin-pad arena with 85-foot by 190-foot ice pads. Outdoor amenities are set to include a full-sized outdoor artificial turf sports field; pump track; skateboard park; and basketball courts, tennis courts and pickleball courts.
Council also voted July 26 to award the tender for the project to Ledcor Construction Limited, which provided the low bid. The targeted completion date for the Whitby Sports Complex is late 2025. 

This summer I'm introducing a new way to connect  -- Coffee with Mayor Roy! The first two dates in July were a success with lots of great conversations. Join me Thursday Aug. 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Tim Hortons at 821 Dundas St. W., or Monday Aug. 28 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Tim Hortons at 516 Brock St. N. for an informal chat over coffee. I'd love to hear what's on your mind!

Community engagement is a big part of the budget process at the Town of Whitby. We want to know what programs, services and infrastructure are most important to our residents. This summer we invited residents to share their feedback using the online Citizen Budget Tool until July 21 – and hundreds of people responded.

A report on the results of the budget engagement is expected in November and in January a proposed 2024 budget will be released.

Visit connectwhitby.ca/budget for more information on Whitby’s annual budget process, including a municipal property tax breakdown and details of how your property tax is calculated.

This is our monthly shout-out to residents and groups that make Whitby proud. If you know a person or group that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• A big congratulations to Whitby resident Norman Howe who recently received the 2023 Senior of the Year Award from the Government of Ontario. This award recognizes people who make outstanding contributions to their community after age 65. We’re proud of you, Norman!

• Shout out to Predictive Success Corporation, a Whitby-based business that recently reached 1,000 clients! Predictive Success is an international management consulting company that empowers leaders with the data and skills to maximize investment in their people.  I love to see local businesses grow and thrive!

• Kudos the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise for another hugely successful Ribfest. The weekend of July 7 to 9 saw 40,000 people come out to enjoy food, fun and entertainment. Amazing! Funds raised will be used to support organizations in our community. The Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise also hosted Food Truck Frenzy in May, which raised thousands of dollars for our community – we’re so grateful this organization is part of our town.

…the Town of Whitby does not collect grass clippings as part of any of the waste collection programs? The Town is encouraging residents to try “grasscycling” which means leaving grass clippings on the lawn to break down naturally. This method helps return nutrients to the soil, reducing the need to fertilize and water your lawn. Grass is 80 to 90 per cent water – you’ll see the clippings disappear in a few days, leaving no mess and a happier lawn!

The Region of Durham recently launched a new self-service portal for residents called myDurham 311, you can check it out at myDurham311.ca

The portal is available 24/7 and allows residents to submit service requests or follow up on existing requests for services such as waste and recycling, water and sewer, and traffic inquiries.

Requests are automatically sent to a customer service representative for action. Examples of requests that can be submitted include: requesting a recycling blue bin or a garbage bag tag exemption; reporting a water issue; and reporting a traffic light not working properly.

Wild Fork’s first Canadian store recently opened in Whitby at 340 Taunton Rd. E. with a big community turnout for the grand opening event in June. Wild Fork aims to evolve how people plan, prep and eat their favourite meals. High-quality meat, seafood, and other products are sourced worldwide, hand-selected, and blast frozen to lock in freshness. Some best sellers include boneless, skinless chicken thighs, extra lean ground beef, Canadian AAA Angus boneless beef ribeye steak, and skin-on sea bass fillets. There is the option to shop in-person at the Whitby store or order online to receive delivery within two hours or pick up in-store. Visit www.wildfork.ca for more information.

• The Durham Region Emancipation Day celebration takes place Aug. 1 from 4 to 7 p.m., at Audley Recreation Centre, 1955 Audley Rd. in Ajax. This free family-friendly event celebrates Emancipation Day in Canada with live performances, food vendors, children’s activities and more. Visit durham.ca/emancipationday for more information.

• The Town of Whitby is hosting Movies in the Park on Aug. 11 and 25 at Whitby Civic Park (behind Town Hall). Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and popcorn for an evening under the stars! Movies are shown on a large, outdoor screen with concert-quality sound. Check out whitby.ca/en/play/movies-in-the-park.aspx for movie details.

• You can catch live music this summer on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Grass Park in Brooklin. Visit whitby.ca/en/play/whitby-live.aspx for the full performance schedule.
• Check out Thursday Night Live at Station Gallery for live music, refreshments, and art from June to September. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Thursdays and music starts at 7 p.m. Visit stationgallery.ca/events for more information.
• Looking to register for fall recreation programs with the Town of Whitby? Information will be available to view online and add to your wish list starting Aug. 14. Online and in-person registration opens Aug. 23 for Whitby residents and Aug. 30 for non-residents. Click here for more information. 

I’m always looking for your feedback! Are there activities, amenities or programs you want to see offered in our town? Business owners, what else could the Town of Whitby  to support you? Email mayor@whitby.ca with your ideas.