MURF or not, HRC land in Orillia’s interest, Cipolla says

By TEVIAH MORO Orillia Packet and Times September 21 2010
Mayoral candidate Ralph Cipolla wants the public to accept a plan to build a multi-use recreation facility (MURF) at the Huronia Regional Centre (HRC).
After years of supporting a MURF on West Street South, Cipolla says it’s time to ditch the oft-delayed brownfield scheme in favour of the HRC greenfield.
Many Orillians would not only agree with the recommendation, but also add the criticism that it should have been made years ago.
The opening of the West Orillia Sports Complex has cushioned the city’s recreational crunch.
But some in Orillia’s sports community say the city still needs at least certain elements of the MURF — a swimming pool and at least another hockey rink to replace Brian Orser Arena when it’s mothballed.
This city council, reaching the twilight of its four-year term this fall, won’t be in a position to purchase space at the HRC even if it were made available tomorrow.
A lame-duck policy prevents the group from making such major expenditures so close to the end of the term.
However, there’s no reason why this council couldn’t at least offer some recommendation to the next elected group of municipal politicians.
The jury’s still out on whether the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) will make space at the HRC available to the city. With that process moving at glacial speed, the city and Lakehead University already watched a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.
Cipolla says talks with the ORC have been taking place. We should hope so, despite the deep resignation that lingers with regards to taking title of the beautiful lakefront property.
Whether land there is used for a MURF is immaterial — at least at this stage in the game. But what should be of paramount concern to Orillians is the city’s forts to bring the HRC into the municipal fold.
Once the city owns the land, a public consultation process can begin to garner feedback from the community as to how the space should be utilized.
The final decision may well be selling land to developers waiting in line to build watefront luxury condos with stunning views of Lake Simcoe.
If that’s the case, the public will at least have a chance to voice approval or disapproval to their duly elected officials. But if private interests drive the dynamic, Orillians won’t have that option.