DEVELOPMENT: With federal funding for a $2.9 million business park, the municipality needs a secure water source to support new industry
By NORMAN DE BONO, The London Free Press

Thames Centre is moving to ensure its future water supply, calling it critical to ensure future economic growth.
The community just east of London announced Friday it will get $2.9 million in federal government money to develop the Thorndale Business Park, including building a water tower, new roads, water and sanitary and storm sewers.

At the same time, London is in talks to sell water to Thames Centre, a $9.3 million deal to sustain growth, municipal officials say.
"Council and staff identified this infrastructure project as being critical to the long term future of the residents of the community," Mayor Jim Maudsley said Friday of the water tower and park development.

As for the London deal, Thames Centre would run a new water line in the south end along the Highway 401 corridor to the city, said Eric Boere, director of environmental services for Thames Centre.

The municipality sources groundwater and there is a risk it may run out of water in 10 to 15 years given current growth trends.
However, if the community is faced with a major new industry locating there, it may need water immediately and that is why talks are happening now, said Boere.
"This is for long-term, very long-term, growth, but we need to anticipate what would happen if a game changer occurred here. What if there was a major industry on the lands fronting on Highway 401?" he said.

"There is a lack of water between London and Dorchester and that is prime development land. If a Toyota came to us, we would need that water."
London Coun. Cheryl Miller sits on the Elgin County water board, a committee of Middlesex County Council, and supports the sale of the resource.
"I have no problem with water. We are very fortunate to have our water supply and I believe it is a fundamental right to share it," said Miller.
The city received support from federal and provincial governments to develop its water infrastructure and has an obligation to aid others, she said.
London draws water from Lake Erie and Lake Huron, buying from two local water boards, which the city administers.

"It is very conceptual. It is a long-term plan," London city engineer Pat McNally said of the water talks between London and Thames Centre. "They are looking at it for industrial development."

Miller, however, draws the line in extending other services, such as sewage capacity. London recently was approached by the town of Arva about sharing sewage capacity, and the issue was referred to staff.

"I have a real problem with that. If bedroom communities around London want that kind of service we should start talking annexation."
As for the Thorndale Business Park development, it was funded by the federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

"This investment will . . . support our region's ongoing economic resurgence," MP Joe Preston said in a statement. "I am pleased that this funding will allow businesses in Thames Centre to expand, become more competitive and secure new market opportunities."

Thames Centre has the largest tract of undeveloped land fronting on Highway 401 in the region, as well as three interchanges off Highway 401 and a lower tax rate that surrounding communities.

That tax rate helped it woo Armatec, a 300-person defence industry, from London. Armatec will open a new plant in Dorchester this summer in a industrial park under construction.

"Everyone is searching for new industrial development and we are no different," said Thames Centre Mayor Jim Maudsley. "We work with everyone in the area, what is good for one, is good for all."