THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay has tentatively decided not sell off a pair of green spaces after public backlash indicated residents in the area wanted to keep them public lands.
Administration had recommended the municipality rid itself of the parkettes, located on Thistle Crescent and Black Bay Road. It was also recommended the city hang on to another green space on Holly Crescent.
Thistle Crescent resident Gary Grgurich, who had the backing of a dozen or so neighbours at Monday night’s committee of the whole meeting, was overjoyed at the news.
“We’re very happy that this parkette is going to be maintained for our community and for the surrounding community as well,” Grgurich said.
“This is some place where kids have gone. There has been a bit of a turnover and there are other families coming in and they have children and that’s available to them as well. It’s all about community and that’s how you build community.”
Council voted on the fate of the two properties separately, Thistle Crescent getting an 11-1 vote in favour of the city retaining it, while the Black Bay Road property was narrowly approved for retention, the motion to sell falling on a 6-6 tie.
Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm was the lone representative to dissent.
“If this green space is taken away now, it will be gone forever,” Grgurich said, pleading the neighbourhood’s case.
His words did not fall on deaf ears.
Current River Coun. Andrew Foulds was quick to say he’d be voting against selling the two properties.
“I don’t see it as surplus. I see it as valuable land,” Foulds said, adding the green spaces were purposely designed for become intricate parts of their neighbourhoods.
“Who are we to take them away?”
Mayor Keith Hobbs said he’s long opposed the idea of turning the land over to developers.
“I think we have to keep our green spaces,” Hobbs said.
Westfort Coun. Joe Virdiramo said he saw no reason to sell the properties.
“It doesn’t cost the city much money to maintain,” he said.
City officials estimated keeping the two properties in question would cost the city a conservative estimate of $300,000 in sale revenue and between $20,000 and $30,000 in annual taxes.
The decision must still be ratified at a future city council meeting. McIntyre Coun. Trevor Giertuga said he plans to revisit the Black Bay Road decision at that time.
