Memorial Arena Site for Sale? Opportunity knocks

  http://www.insidehalton.com/community/haltonhills/article/964875

Above is the link to the story in the Independent/Free Press regarding the potential sale of the Memorial Arena Site in order to pay for the new arena approved for Acton.

I raised this issue in Council because I felt that Council had not actually decided to sell the site as had been stated by the Mayor at our Special Council Meeting on February 28th. My goal had been to get this clarified for the public. I was astonished to learn that in the opinion of many members of Council a decision had been made to sell the property. Staff however, were of a different opinion. Staff read the recommendation and it clearly stated that there was no decision. At the meeting where this was discussed, staff were directed to explore options for selling 3 properties in Georgetown and to report back.

I was not at the meeting where this was discussed by Council but I had made my point of view known to Council on previous occasions when the subject came up.

My point of view is based on the understanding that the neighbourhood around the arena is underserviced for parkland right now. This area has been rezoned to encourage intensification. That means that the parkland needs will increase not decrease. Furthermore when one looks at the options available to meet these needs it is obvious that this area was built out long ago and so there are few opportunities. Yet we own this land now.

It would seem prudent to me to have a plan to meet the parkland needs of this neighbourhood prior to selling the parkland that we already own.

Although the options were never discussed I would present one option that could allow the town to achieve both goals.

The one opportunity that does exist is for the Town to acquire the Silver Creek Valleylands starting at Fred's Towing and going up stream to Ontario Street. It would be possible to create a linear park that would connect to Cedarvale Park and on through the existing trail system to Norval. If the new parkland that I am proposing had a paved multi use path then people would have access to a roller blade park, a cycling park, a dog walking park and an off road route to a community park at Cedarvale.

Linear parks of this nature are popular with all ages and offer great opportunities for people to relax and get some exercise at the same time. They allow people to escape the traffic and noise of the urbanized areas and to appreciate nature close to their homes. In addition it provides an alternate transportation route free from the hassles and safety issues associated with traveling along side cars and trucks. The benefit to the adjacent neighbourhood would also be felt elsewhere as people would be able to extend their walks from further downstream. The more robust the trail system, the more attractive it is to people.

I would be interested in your views on the potential sale of the Memorial Arena site.

YMCA Camp Norval Remembered

The first photo is of the new interpretive signage that the Town installed this week on its newest section of the Hungry Hollow Trail. The trailheads can be found either at the end of Hall Road or on Beaumont Court at the east end of Georgetown. This section of trail runs through the former YMCA boys camp that was run by the Toronto West YMCA beginning in the late 1920s. The camp, known as Camp Norval

was owned by the YMCA until 1988. The Town of Halton Hills aquired the land in 1998.
Local resident Neil Shepherd collected information on the 'Old Y Camp' as part of project and passed the information over to the Town in the hope that some interpretive signage could be installed at the site. Thanks to Neil hikers can better understand the history of this part of Georgetown. Remnants of the camp are still visible. The second photo shows two concrete pads that support the piers for the Director's cabin. The interpretive sign is set amongst the piers. The sign shows a map of the camp and how it relates to the new developments in the area.
This is a relatively short section of trail but it does connect to an informal trail that one can follow further into the valley. The new trail is level and easy to walk. The informal trail includes a steep section that will require substantial work and more investment by the Town to make it easier for walkers. You can expect to see further developments next year if this project makes it through the budget process.
This month the trail access from Regan Crescent to the boardwalk trail east of Mountainview will be formally opened to the public.
If trail development is important to you, be sure to ask candidates in the municipal election if they will support further trail development during the up coming budget discussions.