Page 64 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 125

City installs First Park

February 15, 2023 Communication
Board

The City of Cornwall has added a
new feature with big impact to the
Newsletter Benson Centre Park.
In an effort to increase inclusive
Cornwall
has
www.Cornwall.ca play, the its City first of communication
installed
board at the newly created park.
Future Fire Station breaks ground A communication board is a device
set
of
that
common
displays
a
photos, symbols, or illustrations to
Work on the future Cornwall Fire Station help people with limited language
Headquarters and Training Centre at the skills express themselves. The user
corner of Brookdale Avenue and Tollgate can gesture, point, or blink at
Road, officially began on May 30 with a images to communicate with others.
“Adding elements in our parks that
ceremonial sod turning event. increase inclusive play and
The new facility will provide a safe, productive socialization skills is very
and effective work site for firefighting crews. important,” said Jamie Fawthrop,
The station design reflects the department’s General Manager of Planning,
values and supports an inclusive environment, Development and Recreation. “This
such as gender-inclusive living quarters, board can be used by people of all
washrooms and showers. ages and abilities”. The City of
“On behalf of Cornwall Fire Services, I am Cornwall consulted a speech
grateful for the unanimous support of Council to language pathologist from CHEO on
construct this new Headquarters Station and the selection of the Picture
training facility, meeting the life safety needs of Exchange Communication System
our community today and into the future,” said (PECS) symbols used on the new
Cornwall Fire Services Chief Matthew communication board. The board
Stephenson. features images of depicting
The new headquarters will also include a new emotions, feelings, actions, and
community and training room. Cornwall Fire park equipment to assist and
Service crews will use this room for their regular encourage language development
and
“The
communication
training. The community will also be able to installation of the communication
book it for events and meetings. The room will board at the Benson Centre
be designed to serve as an emergency comfort demonstrates.
centre that can be available 24 hours a day Council’s commitment to
during an emergency. It will also provide a inclusivity,” said Mayor Justin
climate-controlled environment, gender-neutral Towndale. “We are eager to
washrooms and self-sufficient emergency incorporate more inclusive elements
backup power supply. Leaf and Yard waste into other neighbourhood parks
The process of creating the new fire station across the City.
began back in 2018, when a public consultation
session was held to gather feedback from
residents. The then council approved the capital
project in 2019.
“Today we mark another important step in
ensuring that our fire fighters have the
appropriate tools that they need, and further
ensuring fire safety in our community,” said
Mayor Justin Towndale. “This new fire hall will
result in better coverage, reduced response
times, training facilities and notably, provide an In the summer, the City collects leaf and
emergency comfort centre for our residents in yard waste every second week: June 19- Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale
and Strategic Planning
times of need.” 23, July 3-7 July 17-21 and so on. Coordinator Katherine Wells pose
For more information about the new fire station Learn more: https://bit.ly/2RKSHRu with the new Communication
visit: www.Cornwall.ca/newfirestation (Or use the Recycle Coach app!) Board.