Dear Editor. After reading Mr. Blackmere’s comments in your paper last week I felt the need to respond to at least a few of his comments. I find it very difficult to believe they received no comments about the overall Elora Mill expansion project. To me there are so many obvious ones.
Why do people come to Elora to visit or to live? Because of it’s rustic charm. That’s what inspired me to visit Elora for the 1st time with my young family 35 years ago. And that’s why I eventually moved here 10 years ago when I took early retirement.
We must do everything in our power to preserve this charm. Once lost it cannot be recreated no matter how much time and money are spent. The land around the gorge, falls and mill have always been viewed and used by the public as common space , open to all. It has a natural attraction that people crowd around to see and experience.
The development on the south side of the river appears very cold and stark. A huge concrete ediface at the edge of the river/gorge. Yes a solid foundation may be required . Having a walkway on top is a wonderful idea but lets’s add nature back into the equation with soft landscape features. Not necessarily a row of trees, but rather a more random cluster of various trees, scrubs and grasses. Something that grows in a more natural setting. People from the new walkway will take photos of old Elora (just like in many existing postcards). But how many people will take photos of the new development from the Mill St side? Who will identify this as being rustic, charming downtown Elora? If we proceed on the current path, I’d say probably nobody but the developer.
Let’s be very careful as we proceed with this development so we can all be proud of the end result leaving a legacy for many to appreciate for years to come.
Alex Netchay