North Kawartha is getting closer to installing new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the North Kawartha Community Centre (NKCC).
While there was some debate of the best location for these new charging stations, it was decided earlier this month that North Kawartha will be moving forward with the implementation of four new level two and level three charging stations at the NKCC.
At the September 2 council meeting, Economic Development Officer, Edward Hilton presented a report recommending that council carry over the $75,000 that was allotted in this year’s budget to 2026 with an additional $60,000 in the capital budget for the EV charging station project at the NKCC.
In 2024, council approved the original $75,000 in capital funding toward the installation of level two and level three EV charging stations as this project is supported by the provincial EV ChargeON grant.
Last year, the township had submitted two applications for this grant, one at the NKCC and one at another downtown location.
However, the downtown location was rejected and staff were able to reevaluate and revise the application for the NKCC.
Hilton told council there were originally three locations within the NKCC application that were considered for this project however there was ultimately only one viable option that staff recommended.
Option one, which was supported by staff, would be located at the East end of the NKCC parking lot.
Hilton’s report stated that staff would ensure visibility through clear signage, and address the need for additional lighting. The charging station will be clearly visible from Jack Lake Road and is expected to serve both NKCC patrons and community visitors.
Option Two, which was preferable at first, was to be located in the southwest portion of the parking lot, closer to the entrance of the NKCC.
However, once this location was investigated, there were many engineering difficulties discovered. Hilton said that this location would necessitate a power shutdown at the NKCC during installation, reduce available parking by about eight to 12 spaces, and create challenges for snow removal.
Option three was to locate the EV charging station at the front of the NKCC. Hilton said that while this was theoretically a good option, it would essentially make any future expansion of the NKCC impossible.
The report stated that the area was specifically reserved in the original site plan for potential future expansion of the NKCC building.
Installing permanent electrical infrastructure in this space would significantly limit the township’s ability to pursue that expansion and would create ongoing operational challenges at the main entrance, including impacts to pedestrian flow, event set-up, and visibility.Hydro One also recommended that the township choose option one and offered to pay for and install the primary transformer for the site themselves should they proceed with the Jake Lake Road option. \\Hilton’s report stated that under option one, Hydro One would supply and maintain the primary high-voltage transformer at its own cost. The township would then be responsible for acquiring and maintaining the smaller secondary transformers required for the charging units, the EV charging stations themselves and any associated infrastructure such as lighting. The report said that this option would involve establishing a new service from the road, having no negative impact on NKCC facility operations, require minimal site work, and carry the lowest electrical equipment costs of the options considered. Although this location is the most distant from the NKCC entrance, it would allow for future expansion of charging capacity should demand increase.
It would also allow for the safe snow removal and storage to continue at the designated spots in the NKCC parking lot while also allowing for more EV parking spaces to be added to this location in the future if demand increases.
Coun. Colin McLellan said that he felt option one was too far away from the NKCC and EV owners would not feel welcome to explore the facility or the community.
McLellan said, “I can understand the attraction of EV option number one, but we’re kind of just tossing them out in the middle of nowhere to charge. It’s not attractive to go into the community center and relax. You’re walking across the entire parking lot. There are no businesses to access. Whereas EV option two at least is friendly for people to go in the community center while it’s charging.”
While some councilors agreed with this sentiment, others did not stating that they would not have an issue walking across the parking lot to check out the facility or get a bit to eat at the concession stand inside.
Mayor Carolyn Amyotte said, “I think it’s great that Hydro is planning to kick in for this, and I think that makes option one really attractive. We’re going to be paying even more to put this in the other area, but you’re also looking at the future expansion. We’re not just going to have four forever, that’s part of my thinking. I support option one, I think it does make the most sense. I get it, it’s not right up close to the Community Centre but it’s still in the parking lot, it’s still there. Its way more convenient than what we’ve got now, which is nothing.”
Deputy Mayor Jim Whelan moved the recommendation from staff for option one which was approved by council.
