Dear Editor:
Some may be aware of the local government plans to shunt Fergus Highway 6 traffic east to a northbound highway along a presently residential street, Anderson Street to be specific, and impacting the Grand River and adjacent lands with a new bridge.
Local residents and others, including a public school student, have repeatedly pointed out the negative influence this traffic plan would have.
However there is a bigger, even more important, aspect this all has on the people of Fergus. That is the likelihood of future donation of lands, by citizens, to the town of Fergus and its people.
Let me point out that the Beatty Company (an early prominent Fergus industrial group) and family donated the facility and land on which the original Fergus outdoor swimming pool stood at 190 St. David St. S. This was an iconic spot loved by generations of Fergus families and their children. The chatter and laughter of children pervaded the town all summer long.
“The pool was designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2006 by the Township of Centre Wellington to preserve the community landmark for future generations” (quoted from the Ontario Heritage Trust).
When the new Fergus “sportsplex” was built it was not long before our municipal government officials reneged on their promise and took it into their own hands to violate this wonderful gift, sell it to local business interests and deny that important private gift to all of those in Fergus.
Similarly, as previously noted, the current plan to divert Highway 6 traffic would equally break the intentions of a person who made a perpetual gift to the people of Fergus. The intent was to keep the Grand River and its adjacent Pierpont Park lands free from development, keeping it as a natural preserve of nature to be enjoyed by all.
The question is, after these types of violations of the gifts intended for the people of Fergus how many persons in the future are likely to make such important enduring gifts to our community? Wake up, local government officials and keep those gifts in perpetuity as they were originally intended.
Peter Little,
Fergus