Canopy Cobourg prepares for a fight
Image submitted to Northumberland 89.7 FM.
By: Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News
Cobourg
The Canopy Cobourg group is gearing up to fight for keeping the land at 117 Durham St. a green space.
The April 30 Cobourg council meeting should have a packed (and perhaps overflowing) gallery, if Canopy Cobourg members have their way.
This is the name of the group formed to oppose development of the former CDCI West playing field at 117 Durham St.
Canopy Cobourg announced its plans in a Happy Earth Day message, its goal stated as “stopping the destruction of 4-5 years of heavy construction alongside Cobourg Nature Park West, Ecology Garden and Boardwalk.”
The message states it's the final week to save that parcel as green space and influence the council vote to be held next week.
The group is described as “an alliance of a diverse group of organizations and individuals working to preserve 117 Durham as public green space.”
At a recent Public Works, Planning and Development Standing Committee meeting, Chair Brian Darling related that the town had purchased that property with the aim of owning the land through which the boardwalk runs so they could keep it in the public domain. However, to recoup some of the $2-million purchase price, council planned at the time to sell off the north half.
Members of the Canopy group have expressed concerns about overdevelopment of this part of the property in such areas as safety and infrastructure, especially given that the adjacent Legion Village has been approved to double in capacity.
Canopy Cobourg members will be at Rotary Waterfront Park and Victoria Hall on Saturday, April 26, to educate members of the public on their concerns and gather signatures on their petition.
Then, on April 30, they are hoping for strong representation at the council meeting.
Supporters are asked to come at least a half-hour early for the 6 PM meeting and, as filming is slated to be taking place in the lobby, to use a rear entrance (and, perhaps, go to the overflow room if the limited capacity of council chambers proves inadequate).
