The Muskoka Regional Centre in Gravenhurst will stay as a property of the province for the time being.
At a Planning Council Meeting last night councillors and the mayor received an update on the former mental health facility that was abandoned in the mid-1990s.
Council was Informed that the Joint Venture (JV) involving Maple Leaf Schools was unable to come to the required terms of the province and would no longer be interested in pursuing the property.
“This is certainly a setback to have Maple Leaf Schools leave the negotiating table. We were very optimistic that they could come to terms with the province and reach a partnership,” said Mayor Paul Kelly. “This venture has always been an ideal fit for the town, sharing our vision of a positive economic outcome for Gravenhurst. I am disappointed, yet optimistic an ideal partner for this project will come forward.”
Council was presented a pair of options for the property, that would require nearly $10 million in demolition costs before any development could take place.
The first option presented would see the province return the property to the open market for sale. This option would eliminate any further financial or environmental risk to the town and expose the property to immediate attention on the open market, however, town zoning and expectations of proponents would still be required.
Option two would involve the town exploring the possibility of conducting another market search for a new development partner. This option would need the province’s cooperation to do so but would provide council with the ability to retain some control over the end result. The same terms and conditions required of the Joint Venture project by the province would still be required of any new proponent.
Ultimately council deferred to a mixed recommendation that Joint Venture/Maple Leaf Schools were not interested in proceeding with the property, therefore allowing the MRC property to be opened up to the broader public sector to gauge interest, before returning to the open market.
“While the decision of Council is to return the property to the province and enter the open market, every reasonable effort will be taken to ensure that the property is developed in a manner that represents the best value to the community,” said Glen B. Davies, Chief Administrative Officer.