Pubdate: Wed, 12 Jun 2013
Source: Parry Sound North Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/community/parrysound
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1618
Author: Chris Funston

MACTIER RINK SAVED

Township officiall nixes marijuana plant proposal, residents vow to
increase building's use

GEORGIAN BAY TWP. - It was unanimous: there will be no medical
marijuana grow-up at the MacTier Arena.

On April 26, Georgian Bay Township council signed a letter of intent
to allow Mettrum to explore the feasibility of converting the arena
into a marijuana production facility and to undertake research and
development as dictated by Health Canada.

But MacTier residents quickly responded to the proposal.

On Monday, Dawn McDonald, chair of the MacTier Community Development
Committee, supplied the council with a petition of about 1,200 people
who are opposed to having a marijuana facility in MacTier.

The final vote came at a council meeting on June 10 in front of a
small group of thrilled supporters.

"We won," said MacDonald. "We're thrilled as a community."

MacTier resident Rosemary Lovold echoed the excitement after council
voted to drop the proposal.

"It was the will of the people," she said.

The MacTier Arena sits directly in the middle of the community, and is
just across the street from a school. Opponents had argued the arena
is a key gathering point for the town and eliminating it would have
been a major blow to the community.

In a press release issued last week by John Griffiths, vice president
of the Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce (SEGBAY), council
and community members where asked to weigh the upside of the
controversial plan that the chamber argued would strengthen the local
economy.

"Should the letter of intent be rescinded, not only will it kill the
proposed repurposing of the arena for this express intent, but it
shall also kill the ability of Mettrum to set up operations anywhere
in GBT," said Griffiths

The next step for MacTier will be to rally to increase usage of the
arena says MacDonald.

"Going forward, we will be having planning sessions with the
township," she said.

When first proposed, the plan was labeled as a potential solution to
the high financial cost of the building. It costs the township about
$250,000 a year to operate, while only generating around $40,000 in
revenue - the difference is made up by taxes.

Lovold said that it's now up to the community and the township to come
up with ideas to increase usage of the facility.

"The vote was one battle, now we have to move on and move forward,"
she said.

MacDonald said that the township is attempting to multipurpose the
arena by introducing summer sports such as volleyball, ball hockey,
lacrosse and ringette as well as adding figure skating in the winter.

Paul Herriot, President of SEGBAY, said he is disappointed with the
result, "in the end both MacTier and Mettrum lost out on an
economically viable and solid business that was guaranteed with job
creation and economic growth. There has not been any new industry into
that town for over 20 years, and the growth rate is stifling."

Better served

"Compared to the facility that exists today I think MacTier would have
been better served by a new Community Centre with children's play
rooms, spaces for teens after school hours, select sports facilities,
full unrestricted access for handicapped individuals, a modern food
preparation area with commercial appliances, a well designed meeting
hall, etc.," said Herriot. "It appears that people have become
accustomed to the status quo. Change does require a big leap of faith,
vision and leadership. Perhaps MacTier residents do know best how to
utilize the arena. Time will ultimately tell."

 From the get-go, though, MacTier residents made it clear they felt the
arena remained a worthwhile investment for taxpayers.

Within a week of the issue of the letter of intent, about 250 MacTier
residents filled the arena for two and a half hours to voice their
discontent with the plan, citing the importance of the facility for
local youth and events.

Local NHL great Bobby Orr even weighed in, telling national media the
idea was shameful.
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MAP posted-by: Matt