• Protecting Water and Farmland in Simcoe County

The Benefits of Suncor Parkland Property

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In Council Watch
May 8th, 2014
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Letter to the Springwater News from Mayor Linda Collins

Green spaces can increase property values while also attracting and retaining businesses to an area. The benefits go far beyond their role in contributing to a healthy environment and acting as a hub for local communities. The City of Toronto’s 2013-2017 Parks Plan outlines the importance of parks and recognizes the economic benefits that parks offer through their ability to attract tourists and overall enjoyment from pleasant spaces and shade trees.

The Maple Syrup Festival recently benefitted from the Suncor Parkland Property in Elmvale as the Township’s Maple Taffy Station was located there, in excellent proximity to the Information Booth and as a gateway to the Main Street of vendors.

The actual cost of this space is minimal compared to the benefits. Suncor has entered into a lease agreement for 10 years in relief of taxes – which as vacant commercial is assessed at exactly $2051.82 per year (based on the 2014 tax rate). Suncor removed the building at their expense.

All funds to redevelop the space were raised outside the tax base. Generous gifts from Farm Credit Corporation ($15,000) and Recurrent Energy ($20,000) are helping to lead this initiative.  The BIA, seeing this as a community asset, is also investing $10,000 for the gazebo. In-kind donations to provide additional furnishings continue to come.  This project will be completed in the late spring of this year.

This Council took control of a bad situation and through staff’s negotiation, and the continued efforts of volunteers, we now have an entrance to Elmvale of which we can be proud.

We invite you to watch it unfold and experience the benefits of this great new public space!

 

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