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"By creating a vibrant workâ€" place using creative office design, we expect to develop a great place to work for existing and future staff members," said Astley. "An environment that is both funcâ€" tional and appealing to our peoâ€" ple and our retail tenants will help us meet our future staffing objecâ€" tives as we continue to grow and also help revitalize a key area of Clarica‘s Group Clarica pr Insurance business will relocate some 650 staff to the new site beginning in September after extensive renovations, which began Monday and include adding two new floors to the forâ€" mer Eaton‘s store site and adding illumination to the building in the form of windows. "The new locaâ€" tion at Erb Street and Westmount Road is excellent â€" clase to transit and shopping as well as our King Street head office." "Staffing levels at Clarica have grown strongly in recent years and we expect furâ€" ther growth going "The ne forward as our busiâ€" ness activities conâ€" at Erb tinue to expand," _ Westm said Astley. w l The centuryâ€"old location of Clarica‘s head office was reaching a saturation point in terms of parking and people, said the comâ€" pany‘s president and chief execuâ€" tive officer Bob Astley. The comâ€" pany needed a secondary site to address the shortâ€"term requireâ€" ment it had for additional office space. The Waterlooâ€"based insurance and financial services company purchased the 14.8â€"acre property last Thursday to accommodate the overflow of the more than 3,500 people now employed at its office complex on King Street. larica‘s purchase of Waterloo‘s Westmount Place shopping mall is being seen as a boon for uptown businesses as well as the retailers involved. Clarica‘s purchase of Westmount Place seen as boon to key area of Waterloo (cick here) â€" Wiennnmenee BA Motors Authorized BMW Retarler â€" 527 King St. N. Wet Telephane {519) 8855090 Emai nio@t kmot Looking For a New OuyAi Mon.â€"Wed. 9â€"5, Thurs. & Fri. 9â€"6, Sat. 10â€"4 FACTORY SHOWROOM 21 Allen St. W. 585â€"1000 By Bos VrBANAc Chronicle Staff dary site to The move should also be good im requireâ€" _ for existing business in the outer ional office _ portion of the mall that were hurt by the closing of Eaton‘s. "I think larica have _ it‘s a win for the mall area, I think cent years _ it‘s a win for the merchants, I think . its a win for The new location t{:,e us and I think it in at Erb Street and _ joy Clarica® said Westmount Road â€" Woolstencroft. ; Il One of the Is exce en['â€"" original tenants close to transit gf thetznafl‘ Dave f arnahan, owner and Shopplngas of the Waterloo well as our King _ Dairy o l » azier and Cakes Street head Ofiice‘ store. said he was â€" Bob Astley Clarica president and CEO Eâ€"mail wig@bâ€"kmotors.com "When they (the office workâ€" ers) go home, it opens it up for the rest of the neighbourhood, so it works both ways." Another retailer excited by the "It‘s only going to be better for us," said Carnahan, whose store has been in operation for 32 years on the site and predates the existâ€" ing mall. "It makes it a much more solid customer base for dayâ€"toâ€" day operation. One of the Hent â€" original tenants tfransit of the mall, Dave : Carnahan, owner PPIME 4S _ of the Waterioo ur Klng Dairy Queen Brâ€" » azier and Cakes id Oflice‘ store, said he was Astley surprised by the tent and CEO _ news, but wasn‘t surprised _ that Clarica decided to snap up the property for additional office space. It seemed to be a good fit for both the company and the existing retailers Woolstencroft said Clarica has also been a leader in addressing traffic and parking issues with its sites, and expects the company to deal with any traffic concerns creâ€" atively by exploring car pooling and public transit options with its employees. "If you have 650 people going through the core, it‘s good for the core," said Woolstencroft. "They‘ll be going back and forth between head office (and the new site}." Waterloo Mayor Lynne Woolstencroft was excited about the project‘s potential to revitalize a property that had become moriâ€" bund with the departure of Eaton‘s in 1999. The influx of new people to the site could also bring more business to the uptown. Waterloo." Fine Home Furnishé Continued on page 4 in Uptown Waterloo "We‘re more than just tables and chairs!" * Livingroom Suites * Bedroom Suites * Kitchen & Dining Sets * Chairs * Office Furniture * Lamps * Bar & Kitchen Counter Stools * Home Accents PAGE 3 According to program orgaâ€" nizers, the location is ideal as the neighbouring area surrounding the community centre is known for being lower on the income scale, and there is a nearby bus an affordable opportunity to meet others their age and form longâ€"lasting friendships. The dropâ€"in fun centre was created by Waterloo resident Donna Saba over nine years ago to give parents or caregivers, who couldn‘t afford to spend money on daycare, a place to bring their young children. Aside from a variety of toys, books and crafts, the program, held four mornings a week from October to April at the Albert McCormick Community Centre, offers children and parents alike But just mention a visit to Bertie‘s Place, and a young one will do almost anything. here aren‘t many things that I will make a child willingly clean up the playroom, gladly put on a coat and boots, and patiently wait for instruction from mom or dad. Bertie‘s Place offers fun for kids and a break for parents By Anprea Bamey Chronicle Staff MuxuT "It‘s a wonderful place for chil dren and moms alike to get con "It‘s all about fun," she said. "It gives the children playmates and something to do other than what they‘re used to at home. And it allows parents some time out of the house. "It‘s like everyone is a big famâ€" ily here." The program has been a big hit with other parents as well. Schleicher said there are difâ€" ferent areas set up with toys appropriate to each age group. "My two children came, and they were basically raised here." The program is open to chilâ€" dren from newborn to age five. "It‘s a very relaxed atmosphere where everybody does their own thing," said Melody Schleicher, president of Bertie‘s Place. "If the kids want to play with the toys or do some crafts, and the parents want to chat, that‘s cool. The cost to attend is a modest $20 a year, with funds going towards the rental of the facility as well as the purchase of new toys, books and supplies for the children. route for those traveling from a greater distance. B icick here) C 8â€"K Motors Authorured BMW Retoiler 527 Ying 5t N. Wot Telephone (519) 885â€"5090 Eâ€"mail info@b kmotors.com The program is currently runâ€" ning every Monday through Thursday from 9:15â€"11:15 a.m For more information, call 885â€"1700, ext. 234 from 9:15â€" 11:15 a.m. "All you have to do is ask them once if they‘re ready for Bertie‘s Place, and they‘re at the front door waiting," she said. And Fischer added it‘s never a chore for a child to get ready for the program. "But it‘s great here because they can have a ball playing withâ€" out worrying about heavy snowâ€" suits." "At this time of year, you have to bundle the little children up to go outside and play," she said. "It makes it very hard for them to move and have a good time. Sharon Fischer, who brings the children she babysits to Bertie‘s Place, said it‘s a nice alterâ€" native, especially in the winter when there‘s not a lot to do. nected with others around their age," said Roslyn Griffith, fellow parent and program treasurer. "I know a lot of people who have made some wonderful friendâ€" ships here." Looking For a New Sue Crossman (right) enjoys bringing her children Michael (left) and Michelle Quigley to Bertie‘s Place fun centre, held Monday through Thursday at Albert McCormick Community Centre. ANDREA BALEY PHOTO