Clearview talks casinos
A recent announcement by the provincial government that the south Georgian Bay area – and specifically one of Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Springwater Township or Clearview Township – might be a good place for a casino was included on the Clearview Council agenda Monday night and generated some interesting discussion.
While the item was included at the request of Mayor Ken Ferguson so that Council would start thinking about a response before debating the subject at a later date, two members of Council were quick to stake out their positions right away.
“I am adamantly, fundamentally convinced that casinos do more harm than good to communities,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage, who apologized for taking a stand before Council has an official debate, but pointed out the need for haste.
On May 17, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the expansion of private-sector gaming in Ontario. It outlined 29 “gaming zones” across the province where new casinos could potentially be established. The zone that includes Clearview has been identified as having the potential for one new gaming facility with up to 300 slot machines and a “to be determined” range of table games.
What prompted Savage’s warning about haste was the timeline the government has laid out for decisions to be made. The RFI, which is intended to gauge private sector interest and obtain related information for a subsequent process to establish and regulate new casinos, will close on July 7. Following that, the province plans to move quickly to tender on the new establishments, most likely by the fall.
In a short staff report accompanying the announcement on the agenda, Planning Director Michael Wynia said Council had three choices at this point: to sit still and do nothing; to take pro-active action to potentially attract a gaming facility; or to take pro-active action to negate the potential for a gaming facility within the municipality (by reviewing its planning instruments and informing the OLG that the municipality is not interested).
Council decided to debate the issue and come to a conclusion at its next meeting, but not before Savage and Councillor Thom Paterson had a bit more to say on the subject.
“This is just another example of the province’s disrespect for municipalities,” said Savage. “They don’t really give a hoot what we think.”
Paterson said he completely agreed with Savage, especially on the need to set a tone early. “A casino is completely out of character with my view of Clearview Township,” he said. “This has no place here.”
After months of planning, Council approved the creation of a Simcoe County District School Board environmental learning centre at the former Nottawasaga Gravel Pit located on the Sixth Line. To be called the “Clearview Eco Park,” the facility will be home base for a new special environmental program at Stayner Collegiate Institute.
While the Township will retain full ownership of the property, school use of the property will be covered under school liability plans and insurance.
With Council’s decision Monday night, staff was directed to prepare a site management and development program with SCI and the SCDSB; to negotiate a program allowing students to complete the rehabilitation of the site (tree and shrub planting and soil remediation without heavy equipment, etc.) with the Ministry of Natural Resources; to negotiate long-term access to the site; and to consult with surrounding neighbouring property owners regarding the long-term security, use and development of the site as an outdoor learning and eco centre.
With SCI constantly struggling to keep its enrolment up to stave off closure, all members of Council were enthusiastically behind the plan, hoping that the new environment program at the school might provide a draw for students from further afield. Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage made sure to give credit to Clearview Planning Director Michael Wynia, who had the original idea to partner with SCI on the rehabilitation of the site.
