REPLACING PORT-POTTY AT BETHUNE HOUSE GOOD SUGGESTION
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — With Sino-Canadian relations at a recent low, here’s a local opportunity to reach out with an olive branch of your own.
One that doesn’t involve shipping oil to China.
Bethune Memorial House — “Birthplace of a Hero” — is looking for input going forward.
They say: “Have Your Say!”
Parks Canada is preparing an updated management plan for Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site in Gravenhurst, which will guide decisions and actions to protect, present and operate the site for the next decade and beyond.
What types of programs, facilities and services would you like to see offered at Bethune Memorial House? Where do you think Parks Canada is doing well and where can we improve? What is your vision for Bethune Memorial House?
The management plan public consultations are an opportunity for everyone to shape the future of Bethune Memorial House National Historic Site.
The former Presbyterian manse was built in 1880. Chinese medical hero Dr. Norman Bethune was born there in 1890. The Canadian government bought the home in 1973 and opened it to the public.
In 2013, the current welcome centre opened, through the efforts of MP Tony Clement, who may be ending his political career Friday when Parliament recesses for the summer and may not return until after the Oct. 21 election.
This opportunity seems to come at an opportune time, with water and sewer construction right now in front of the home.
An albeit late suggestion would be at this time to replace unsightly porta-potty prominently an improperly placed between the memorial house and the visitor centre.
Another thought may be to host adult education classes to help inform the local populace about Bethune’s place locally, within the medical world and in China.
It’s a truly fascinating story and one that is told well within the confines of the site, which gets up to 20,000 visitors annually, mostly in the summer and fall.
A public information centre June 3 began the process of receiving ideas in the Birthplace of Hero.
You can still share your thoughts and comments until June 30.
Drop in anytime between 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.- 7 p.m., at the Bethune Memorial House Visitor Centre, 235 John Street North, Gravenhurst.
Or you can share comments by emailing:
[email protected]
Or by mail:
Management Plan – Bethune Memorial House NHS
235 John Street North
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Canada
P1P 1G4
See more at this Parks Canada website:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/bethune/info/plan
Public Consultation Newsletter (PDF, 1.13 MB, Chinese PDF 1.29 MB).
