The January 23rd meeting of Council heard a proposal from the Waterfront Development Committee about developing a piece of land between the Civic Complex and Marina 200. In less than a week, I’ve received dozens of comments, calls and e-mails about this on both sides of the discussion.

PHOTO CREDIT - OurHometown.ca

Cornwall - Jan. 24, 2012 - It didn’t take long into 2012 for Cornwall residents to draw “a line in the sand."

The January 23rd meeting of Council heard a proposal from the Waterfront Development Committee about developing a piece of land between the Civic Complex and Marina 200.

In less than a week, I’ve received dozens of comments, calls and e-mails about this on both sides of the discussion.

At this point, I’m not inclined to vote for any development as proposed.

The proposed development will oversee Marina 200 meaning you won’t be able to see it from the Complex/Aquatic Centre.

Some say it’s an underutilized piece of the parking lot at this time but it depends on your definition of underutilized. Try parking there during Lift Off or Canada Day or when the Colts are in a playoff run or there’s a Trade Show, concert or circus in town let alone on a busy Sunday when the Curling Club and the Aquatic Centre are full. And there’s the annual month long Watch Tower Convention. That part of the parking lot is used less than all other areas but it is used and more than a few random dates a year.

I understand the plan would be to add parking to the north end closer to the curling club - that will make up for the lost spots but what about parking for tenants and their visitors of any proposed building?

What’s wrong with developing a similar proposed building on the site of the Si Miller Arena and the old Curling Club?

I have toured other municipalities that have developed their waterfront. And I am certainly not opposed to such activity on ours, just not in that location. Don’t even bring up the West side of the Complex either. Lamoureux Park is a non starter!

Further discussion/education is needed for both sides. Community meetings will be established and approved by Council to ensure everything is laid out. I encourage residents on both sides of the debate to attend the meetings (which will be announced often in local media and on the City’s website).

My stance was made at the Council meeting and confirmed through OurHometown.ca and this article but that doesn’t mean I’ve drawn a line in the sand that I won’t cross – it’ll take a lot convincing.

‘Til next time.