Council hosts first meeting at New Town Hall
By Chris Simon

Photo by Chris Simon The first meeting at the New Town Hall council chambers was held last week.

The moving process is complete.

There were few tears shed as Innisfil council held its first meeting in the New Town Hall last week, after the old administration centre officially closed for business late last month. Of course, there were a few minor technological glitches and the scent of freshly treated wood, which added to the anticipatory and optimistic atmosphere in council's new 150 seat chamber.

"People will be able to see how well this building's laid out to accommodate the public and staff," said mayor Brian Jackson.

The $10 million town hall officially opened earlier this month. Usually, council hosts meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. However, plans were delayed while construction crews put the finishing touches on the new chambers.

While there are still some kinks to work out - the wheelchair ramp leading to where council sits was still under construction as of last week, the large projection screens were still being hooked up, and stained glass will eventually be added to the chamber windows that overlook Innisfil Beach Road - the new chambers are a significant upgrade over the old site, said deputy mayor Gord Wauchope.

"I sat on the design committee when this building was first approved by the last council. It's a beautiful building," he said. "I know there's been some remarks made that it looks like a barn, but that is the reason why it was designed like this. We are a rural community, and we're also an urban community. It's blending the two together."

Overall, the new town hall is much larger than the old facility. It includes three community meeting rooms, a customer service centre near the front entrance and archive storage space, along with the handicap accessible chambers.

"This building is one that truly represents the urban and farming community," he said.

Wauchope says the building will provide adequate room for the town's employees to work, and should meet the needs of the municipality for the next few decades.

"All the staff I've spoken to over the last couple of days truly appreciate what we've done for them," he said. "They're out of their closet (work spaces), and have their own offices to work in. It's not cramped."