Bank closure unites and divides community

Even though there was a huge turnout at the public consultation session for the TD Bank property Sunday, a surprisingly large number of people have been eager to find out how it went, saying they really wanted to be there but couldn’t make it for one reason or another. 

It shows an enormous public interest in what is happening in that relatively small section of Mill Street. 

Honestly, the room, as it was set up with tables, couldn’t have accommodated many more. As it was, with each table full, there were still people along the edge of the room. There appeared to be a variety of people out, not only the usual suspects, and not all from one specific age group. 

It also appeared that there was a high level of engagement. When a question was posed, people jumped in, the many voices causing a din in Station on the Green. 

People were there, exchanging ideas, sometimes heatedly, about their vision for the property, which has been offered to the community via a new Creemore Community Foundation. 

Yes, the people there were engaged in the process but it would be inaccurate to say that it was a pleasant exercise for everyone. 

The proposal to tear down the bank has caused division in the community, that was obvious from the meeting, but also from conversations on the street and also in this newspaper. 

It would be a shame if what began as a proposal to raze the bank and create an expanded garden space did more to cause strife within the community, than to provide it a space to come together. 

It is perceived that the original intent of the proposal was to tear down a building that does not suit the character of Creemore’s main street, thereby removing a building that reminds everyone they were abandoned by their bank. But not everyone agrees. As word of the proposal spread through town, there was an opposing view: Why tear down a quality building when more retail and professional space is needed?

We were united in our opposition to the closure of the bank, but divided in our opinion of what should be done with the building. 

It is tricky to judge public opinion on this issue and Sunday’s meeting offered no clarity. It could very well be a 50-50 split. Anecdotally, just when it seems public opinion is going one way, there is a slew of counter arguments.

Maybe it would have been easier for the community if TD corporate had put the building on the open market. Now, an opportunity has been dangled in front of us. We have been asked to have a vision and as a result we are open to disappointment should those dreams not be realized. 

It is optimistic to hope everyone will be happy with the final outcome but a public consultation process such as this is done with the hope that everyone who participates will understand how a decision was reached, even if they don’t agree.