“Young families walk there,” he said. “Kids learn how to ride their bikes, there are little ski-doos there in the winter time. That’s why I’m suggesting instead of selling it off for a hotel, it should be made into a walking park.
” Mr. Coombs says he has spoke to several other community residents who feel the same way he does.
“I had one person suggest we get a haul truck from Wabush Mines and do it up,” he said. “That way you could turn it into a memorial park.
” Taking away from the little green space the community has is not the right way to develop the community, he says.
“There’s nothing with regards to family oriented space in Wabush,” he said. “We have a recreation centre which is barely utilized, our playground is run down. Seeing a piece of land that could be made into something, a place with benches and picnic tables, it’d be a sin to see it turned into another hotel.
” Mr. Coombs says he feels that rather than taking away from the community, Wabush Mines should be giving back.
“The mine has been going since 1959 and they’ve yet to give anything like this back to the community,” he said. “I’d like to see them donate the land to the town to be zoned as a recreation area.
” Mr. Coombs, who understands the need for income, says there are other options when it comes to location.
“They could put it in the industrial park,” he said. “The community would still receive income no matter where the hotel is built. It doesn’t have to be built right in town, on land that could be used to give back to the community.
” While recreation areas are an asset to communities, Ron Barron, mayor of Wabush, says that declining the opportunity to develop business in Wabush could cause more harm than good.
“Obviously, if a development is going to be detrimental to the community, that is something council would look at,” he said. “But turning away potential investment in our community can also be detrimental.
” Mr. Barron says that the project is still in its initial phase and nothing has been finalized as of yet.
“Right now we have to see what transpires with the land there,” he said. “But my understanding is that is in the process.
” Having a new hotel in the community would bring much needed financial income, along with other benefits, he says.
“It’s going to be a beautiful facility,” he explained. “It would bring employment to the community. I don’t know exactly what would be in the facility, but there would most likely be a bar, restaurants, and things of that nature. Also, we have to get money from somewhere to pay for the work that needs to be done in our community. With this development, there would be permit fees, plus the tax once it is built, and that provides the town with revenue.
” Mr. Barron says he understands there are concerns amongst residents.
“I know that there are some concerns about it becoming a contractor camp,” he said. “But it’s a hotel. Who the owner decides to let stay there is none of my business. Who their clients are is up to them.” editor@theaurora.ca
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