Council wants a slice of redesigned service centre

Cookstown site is expected to reopen in spring 2012
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope January 5 2011
With the existing service centre at the Highway 400 and County Road 89 overpass set to undergo a year-long redevelopment, Innisfil council is staking its claim for a spot at the site, once it reopens.
Town council will be asking the Ministry of Transportation to provide room for local tourism space in the service centre, once it is redeveloped. The ministry has started the preliminary design stage for the redevelopment of the Cookstown service centre, which is currently home to a McDonald’s restaurant and Petro-Canada gasoline station.
Some councillors want to use the redevelopment as an opportunity to promote the municipality.
“You’re going to have a service centre that’s probably one of the largest turnstiles in the province,” said councillor Doug Lougheed. “It’s going to be completely new, and there might be some way we can get an information kiosk to advertise Innisfil. That’s one of the goals of Inspiring Innisfil 2020, and it would be great for people who are stopping.”
The current centre is scheduled to be closed soon, and should reopen in spring 2012. Once complete, the new centre will feature modernized rest areas for travellers, improved accessibility and enhanced food and retail services, said Jim Weir, on behalf of Morrison Hershfield, the development firm overseeing the project.
“The redevelopment of this and other service centres across Ontario will promote community development, provide a warmer, welcoming facility, reduce pollution and increase environmental protection,” he said, in a letter addressed to the town.
Others agree with Lougheed.
“This is a rather bright idea,” said councillor Lynn Dollin. “We have a number of residents, some of whom have worked there since the inception of the McDonald’s, on pins and needles. They’ve been promised eight-weeks notice, but so far, nothing.”
As part of the request, the town will also invite ministry representatives to make a formal presentation on the redesign, during an upcoming council meeting.
The ministry will be conducting an environmental assessment on the site, and plans to host a public information centre. Comments are being accepted through jweir@morrisonhershfield.com or sandra.bailey@ontario.ca.