While the Friends of Mill Creek have ideas for municipally land purchased adjacent to the Puslinch community centre, it seems clear they also want to work in conjunction with council’s vision for its development.
On Feb. 1, councillor Wayne Stokley said that in recent parts of the Friends of Mill Creek meeting minutes there was discussion about the future use of the property recently purchased by the municipality west of the community centre in Aberfoyle.
To members of the Mill Creek group, the move means almost 800 metres of Mill Creek and the lower reaches of the Brock Road tributary are now in public hands. Committee members suggested the property should be examined by technical experts to identify rehabilitation opportunities.
Others thought the site would be ideal to create a living classroom. The grounds and community centre have been used in the past to provide a training program to develop aquatic rehabilitation skills.
Members said there would need to be careful consideration of the municipality’s vision for the property.
As a result, the group decided it should do brainstorming this month on the issue to offer suggestions and comment to council.
Stokley asked when exactly that would happen.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said things are still up in the air. “The intention is to look into it.”
Schmidt doubted anything would be set until at least one more meeting.
He said the hope was to invite Mayor Dennis Lever to provide some information as well. “It’s very preliminary. There is no concrete plan at this time,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt later noted the Friends of Mill Creek are also becoming more involved with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario regarding the Hanlon Expressway interchange proposals.
Schmidt said, “The creek will be affected in a very great way – in potentially a negative way.”
He said Friends of Mill Creek want to get information in early, to avoid any problems.
Lever said in regard to the property at the community centre, “We look forward to the input from Friends of Mill Creek and suggestions they would have – in the same way we are looking at the idea of having a walking trail back there.”
The township is accepting public comment as well. He said that will come from a number of groups.
As far the Highway 401 issue, Lever said that was part of a proposed bridge widening.
“I’m sure that while they understand it is good to get the information in early, there is also likely a 10-year horizon on that.”
Lever said suggestions included the possibility of repairing some of the damage done the last time.
He concluded, “It is a good initiative and a good time to start, but it is still a long time in the horizon.”
