A proposed $36.2 million performing arts centre, which would raise the curtain in 2011.

More than $21 million worth of road widening projects slated between 2009-16.

Let's not forget the city's recent desire to participate in the 2015 Pan-Am Games - if Ontario wins the bid as host. That could bring with it the need for upgraded or new, pricey buildings.

The city is being squeezed by costly, big-ticket capital projects that are also competing with annual requirements Burlington residents expect -- from potentially-expensive road repairs to basic grass cutting of public lands.

In a sense, the city is at a kind of crossroads. It is still growing, yet the population is aging -- at double the national average --and is facing what is dubbed as 'residential greenfield build out' in as little as five years.

Politicians, including Mayor Cam Jackson, have stated more than a few times the need for the city to pare down what it wants to build and what it truly needs to build.

Said Jackson recently: "...we keep adding a new project. It's like a balloon -- you squeeze air in one end and it bulges in the other."

Trying to find the money for all for its capital projects has become increasingly difficult as the city's list lengthens with initiatives that seem to have merit but not necessarily all the money in hand.

Further complicating the matter is that the overall construction cost of projects are jumping 6-8 per cent a year, forcing staff to look into the future and add contingency funding to cover potential shortfalls.

At a late May meeting, politicians took the first step toward redefining their priority list of projects, with the goal of finding the cash to make as many of them realities.

It's "premature to say, 'Yes we can do it all,'" said Joan Ford, the city's manager of financial planning and taxation.

Councillors didn't finalize such a list at the meeting but were given a full update of the numerous projects on the city's horizon, both immediate and over the next decade or so.

Last month, councillors submitted their lists to finance staff, which came up with a single list that best represents council's wishes. The Top 5 are, in order, stormwater management, the Appleby Ice Centre expansion, more emphasis on infrastructure renewal, Mainway Drive rail underpass and Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital's expansion.

Politicians concede they have tough decisions to make to address a multitude of capital project needs -- buffered by the simple notion that not all can get done at the same time.

Councillor John Taylor already knows his top two projects: No. 1 is infrastructure renewal and No. 2 is helping fund part of Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital's $300-million expansion and renovation plan.

A key part of the plan is for the hospital to build a new wing. It has stated it hasn't undergone any major expansion in nearly 40 years. Jo Brant officials made a presentation to councillors in April, laying out their plans and funding situation. They weren't specific about how much the city should contribute.

Infrastructure renewal, said Taylor, involves not just repairing roads but ensuring quality community centres and parks.

"We're falling further and further behind (in renewing current infrastructure)," he said, noting staff won't know until 2010-11 the value of city buildings and how much money must be invested to properly upgrade them.

The hospital is something that affects everyone in Burlington and nearby surrounding communities that might use Jo Brant, said Taylor.

Funding part of Jo Brant's plans ranks up there in important capital projects, said Councillor Rick Goldring.

He said the hospital is likely the one service that most, if not all, families in the city would use. Helping fund Jo Brant's capital work is that much more important and necessary, he said.

He has heard the same sentiment from his constituents, that aiding the hospital is critical.

"It's very clear, the hospital is something most people are going to need at some point in their lives," Goldring said.

Figures bandied about could see the city contribute $10 million-$20 million. No funding scheme has been presented from staff to councillors.

Asked if there is a concern that a municipality would be funding a hospital -- typically funded through the collection of taxes from the province -- Goldring said there is already a precedent. Municipalities like Cambridge and Woodstock have provided cash for their respective hospitals' renovations or expansions.

"We haven't had any major capital expenditure at the hospital for a long, long, long time," he said. "I know they are jammed in a big way. It makes sense we prop up our hospital and renovate it to 21st century standards.""

Other top projects include infrastructure renewal and storm water management, the rookie councillor said.

Councillor Carol D'Amelio said she needs more time to pore over the project details to firm up her exact list. At this point, she knows that a Mac campus is not in the top two. That's predicated, she said, on the fact the school changed its original downtown location to a site off the QEW.

Politicians have discussed openly their feelings the campus will have more of a regional benefit with a highway location.

A proposed Mac campus has received a lot of attention.

City council last month approved a committee recommendation that still keeps alive the prospect of the municipality funding part of the 90,000-square-foot business school, proposed to open in 2010.

Mac wants $10 million. Staff had recently recommended that the city not give any money to the campus.

University officials have insisted a city contribution of $10 million be made toward the $28-million business school campus. Council gave the green light for the city to do an economic impact study and to ask Halton Region for money.

Burlington officially asked Halton Region last year for $5 million when Mac's original plan called for a larger, $35-million business/medical school in the city's core.

However, university officials pulled the plug on the downtown proposal last fall, citing lack of space for future expansion. Regional council never voted on the funding request.

Mac and the city will be sharing the cost of an economic impact study examining the new site and the benefits it could create. Results are not anticipated before September.

It's a project that has a tentative opening date of 2010 and it's not clear at this point how funding -- should it flow from the city -- would be paid out, whether it be up front or phased in.

D'Amelio said there are a lot of tough decisions she and her colleagues will have to make over the next while.

"When I look at them (the projects), there are a lot that are important but might not be crucial," she said.

She added two projects that have been her top priorities have either been approved or edging closer to approval.

A $14-million rail underpass is being built along Upper Middle Road this year. The other project, which still has to be officially approved by council, is the $36.2-million performing arts centre.

The city wants to build the centre on the former site of the Halton police station on Locust Street. The project, though, is dependent on the Ontario government contributing $4 million. The province has so far denied the city's funding request.

Mayor Cam Jackson said what will be key to the capital prioritization process is public comment. The city plans to consult with residents this fall to get their feedback on what projects are important.

Details are still being worked out but it could include phone and Internet surveys and open houses.

"The biggest challenge we face is twofold -- we have more projects than we have money for and, secondly, we've been disproportionately investing money in certain parts of the city.

"For us to be a whole and complete city, we have to be mindful of engaging our residents in every corner of our city."

For example, "parkland means a lot more"to residents living in the north part of the city, in the Orchard and Alton communities, than those in the south because of the access those residents have to amenities like the waterfront and Central Park.

"It's going to be a challenge for us," Jackson said. "Taxpayers will help us understand where our priorities are."

Recently, the city has discussed the possibility of Burlington hosting events as part of the 2015 $1 billion-$1.2 billion Pan Am Games.

It comes in response to the business case the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion is preparing that assesses the viability of the GTA/Greater Golden Horseshoe area making a successful bid for the games in 2015. Toronto would be the host site.

GOVERNMENTS SHARE COSTS

The Canadian Olympic Committee must OK the bid.

As part of the process, the province has been consulting with municipalities to explore interest in the games and potential training and competition venues for the bid.

The Pan Am Games are a multi-sport event held every four years between competitors from all nations of the Americas - North, South and Central.

The next games in 2011 will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico. The games' host will be announced next year.

The games include dozens of sports and more than 5,000 athletes from more than 40 countries.

According to a spring staff report, the Pan Am Games has a "tremendous impact on tourism, economic and sport and infrastructure development and would create a lasting legacy for communities."

Given the number of projects before city council, Jackson said the benefit of the Pan Am Games is that Burlington would be sharing a big chunk of the building costs with upper levels of government -- possibly to the tune of some 70 cents for every dollar.

For example, he envisions a possible 6,000-seat hockey arena that would act as a primary entertainment complex as well. If Burlington was to host an event, it could get a favourable funding split with the province and Ottawa to lessen the tax burden on the city to build such a facility, Jackson noted.

"These are opportunities and we will have a business case for every single venue," he said. "It's a strong business case where we get to use the federal and provincial dollars to attract a few venues. We are not looking at building a mega-facility."