City council wants Glen Ridge land
A neighbourhood park for Old Glenridge on the site of its former school was moved to the top of city council’s priority list Monday.
Councillors voted to approve establishing a 0.7-acre park — onethird of the former Glen Ridge School property — as a parkland acquisition priority.
The former school at 101 South Dr. was declared surplus by District School Board of Niagara in February.
But council heard the local residents, many of whom packed city hall, use the school’s grounds which include a playground and basketball courts.
“To take away this park is to take away the heart of Old Glenridge,” said St. Andrew’s Coun. Joe Kushner, who made the motion to establish a park, seconded by fellow ward Coun. Matt Harris.
“To take away the heart of any neighbourhood is detrimental to making our city great.”
Dozens of Glenridge residents jammed council chambers, spilled out in the hall and filled a second floor board room, clapping when council voted unanimously to go ahead with the plan.
St. Catharines staff were directed to approach the school board about acquiring only the land it wants for the park.
If the school board isn’t interested in slicing up the property into smaller pieces, the city will acquire the entire property, as long as council is satisfied it can sell the two-thirds it doesn’t need for the park to a third party. That includes selling off the former school which has been designated a heritage building.
Staff will report back to council on the results of a request for offers for third parties to acquire the lands. They’ll also report back on options for proceeding, including a recommendation for funding the purchase. It’s unknown how much the school board wants for the South Drive property but the board is required to get fair market value.
DSBN trustees voted in February 2016 to close Glen Ridge Public School due to low enrolment and send students to a renovated Oakridge School on Marsdale Avenue.
City council created a 101 South Drive Property Task Force in April 2016 to come up with possible uses for the school and land.
The task force made seven recommendations in a report to council in September, which included that the city buy the property and use a portion for a neighbourhood park.
A report to council by city staff Monday did not support the recommendation to establish a neighbourhood park. The report said the parkland acquisition priority did not align with city policies.
But task force member and Glenridge resident Tom Richardson told council that the school grounds were the only parkland that exists within practical walking distance of the houses in Glenridge.
He said it was a steep and treacherous walk to Burgoyne Woods and that citywide park is mainly accessed by vehicles.
While the vote was unanimous Monday, five councillors had to abstain due to conflicts of interest with DSBN because of their employment or family member’s employment.