Declaration of Surplus Property – Komoka Community Centre
As you may have heard, Middlesex Centre has been approached by a private company wishing to develop a state-of-the-art athletic training, coaching and health care centre in Komoka. The current proposal would see the facility constructed on the site of the Komoka Community Centre, with the municipality retaining the bulk of the surrounding park and greenspace. Funds raised from the sale of the property would be reinvested back into the Komoka-Kilworth community by way of a dedicated reserve fund.
On April 6th Council DEFERRED the decision to declare the Komoka Community Centre as Surplus Lands to a future Council meeting and will hold a Special Information Meeting (online) to provide more details and to listen to your comments. This meeting is your chance to share your voice to Council. Speak from the heart. Be kind. Email your letters to the Clerk prior to the Special Information Meeting and you can also register to speak as well.
I do not know any dates as of yet to share with you so please check the Middlesex Centre website (or social media) for updates on the Special Information Meeting and for a list of FAQs at middlesexcentre.ca
You can watch the April 6th Council meeting on the Municipality of Middlesex Centre YouTube channel.
My words, as emailed to Council and Staff prior to the April 6th meeting.
If you know me, you know that our community, community togetherness and my volunteer work is a top priority for me and the very reason I value this opportunity to be your Ward 4 Councillor for the past year.
It is very important to me that you know the facts and that I be as transparent as possible at all times. I have read every email, text, Facebook post and listened to all that have called me and answered as many questions as possible with what information I know so far. I thank you for your input and the kind messages of support.
As a proud resident of Komoka, an avid community supporter and your voice on Council, I say NO to deeming the Komoka Community Centre surplus lands. The Komoka Community Centre was built by the community, for the community and I want to see us continue to honour this.
I also don’t think the municipality should sell off municipally owned lands. It is land we can never get back. MXC has owned the Komoka Park lands since 1925 and it consists of 26 acres of land and this sale would see the loss of 6 acres of that land. That’s 23%, a big bite right out of the centre of it and the loss of our beloved Community Centre. Operating at a loss, yes, but so is every other community centre in MXC.
Data from our new Official Plan presentations shows that Komoka Kilworth is slated to fill 63% of the new growth for Middlesex Centre and an estimated additional population growth of 9,900 by the year 2046. I feel that this amount of growth from the current 5,600 residents to 15,600 by 2046 OR as I said, an additional 9,900 residents for our area, should at least allow us to continue to enjoy the space we currently love at the Komoka Community Centre and Komoka Park. How can we make it smaller, all the while forecasting growth to such a degree?
As taken from the MXC Age Friendly Action Plan, “local governments have the responsibility to their citizens to create and support environments that provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of residents. And we need to support people of all ages in achieving their everyday needs.” The Komoka Community Centre is a huge part of that and within easy walking distance for so many.
I do thank Dr Chant for his interest and I welcome him to find a different suitable location in our area.
To my fellow Councillors, Mayor and Deputy Mayor, I ask you today to please consider joining me in a NO Vote to end this proposal to turn the Komoka Community Centre into surplus lands or at least a deferral to allow for more time to think this through and to allow for a public information meeting for the Komoka Kilworth Community.
Thank you for supporting local.
Sue Cates
Councillor Ward 4 Komoka Kilworth
Email cates@middlesexcentre.ca