December 14, 2009

LPRCA Will Be Moving

Chairman Buck Sloat is very pleased to announce that the Long Point Region Conservation Authority Administration Office will be relocating to Tillsonburg in the New Year.

This milestone event results from the recent signing of an agreement to purchase the Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Marketing Board administration office building. The Conservation Authority took possession of the 16,000 square foot building along with more than 5 acres of property on Friday, December 11, 2009. Tax dollars were not used to fund the purchase of LPRCA’s new office location.

Sloat stated, “The Authority has been housed in the former Potash School since 1973. This new location was selected to accommodate LPRCA’s growing personnel, our expanding operations, as well as being strategically located.”

In addition to more adequate office and meeting space, the new facility provides an opportunity for an agreement with the Tobacco Grower’s Marketing Board for shared use of the facilities. Striking an agreement in which the marketing board rents office space was an integral part of the acquisition. The two organizations serve similar stakeholders and constituents and believe this partnership will enhance the level of service provided by each.

“We believe that this transaction will do a great deal in making both the LPRCA and us more efficient, more effective and better suited to respond to the needs of our client base,” said Fred Neukamm, Ontario Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers’ Marketing Board Chair.

The Authority went through a rigorous review of options finally deciding to purchase the move-in ready building. In the New Year, LPRCA will begin the process of moving from its current location with a target for completion of mid-February.

LPRCA was created in 1971 when the Big Creek Region and Otter Creek Conservation Authorities amalgamated. The Conservation Authority has grown with new environmental responsibilities over the past 60 years. The current administrative office houses over 18 professional and administrative staff members, including planners, foresters, GIS specialists, water resource technicians and others.

For more information contact LPRCA General Manager Cliff Evanitski at 519-428-4623, ext 225 or cevanitski@lprca.on.ca.