THUNDER BAY – Coun. Trevor Giertuga stated publicly he is willing to put forth a motion to city council to block Junot Park from potential surplus.
His statement came after commissioner Kerri Marshall addressed the Thunder Bay Muslim Religious Association’s withdrawal from its proposed development project at the park at Tuesday’s standing committee meeting on growth.
“The city remains committed to respectful and transparent engagement with community partners and will continue working with the Thunder Bay Muslim Religious Association to explore alternative ways to address their needs and priorities,” she said.
The association said it has worked with the city for several years on what would best suit their need for a larger space to accommodate worship, education, and community programming.
However, after community pushback against the development, the association decided to step away from the location.
“The residents, they’re still upset and they’re worried that something’s going to happen again, that someone’s going to come up with another proposal and they’re going to have to fight for saving their park again,” Giertuga told city staff.
He said he would have to talk with the city clerk’s department first to see if he could bring forward a resolution.
“I just don’t want to see us coming around and doing this again where someone else comes and has an idea for this, and then it comes out, the public doesn’t want this park to be utilized in this manner. So, I’ll have to think about it, but I may just bring forward a resolution and see if I get council support to block the potential surplus of this property,” Giertuga added.
Coun. Dominic Pasqualino noted that the city is looking to develop nearly 4,000 new homes in the Central Avenue, and then he asked administration when they look to develop new subdivisions, do they look at options for schools and churches.
“We have a clean sheet of paper to start with that. I’m not trying to tell people what to do, but maybe that’s an option that we could do. That would be more flexible because it’s brand-new developed land,” he said.
Joel DePeuter, director of developmental services, said the Central Avenue development provides the opportunity to include community spaces.
“The administration will continue working with the association to find a piece of property that will suit their needs,” he said.
