SCHOOL’S OUT FOR MUSKOKA CENTRE, DEAL FALLS THROUGH

The prime 70-acre former mental health facility on Lake Muskoka could return to the open market if the province decides after town’s partner Maple Leaf Schools pulled out of a deal to buy the land due to condo restrictions.

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — It’s the end of June and the end of school.

And the end of the latest plans for a Chinese school at the former Muskoka Centre.

And an expected start of an open-market sale, with possibly less use restrictions.

Gravenhurst’s planning council accepted a staff recommendation to end its questionable and ultimately futile pursuit of a joint educational venture with Maple Leaf Schools announced with much hope and fanfare in March 17.

 

At Tuesday night’s planning council meeting, staff provided an update on the controversial 70-acre property.

A report written by Scott Lucas, the town’s director of development service, offered two options.

During the meeting, councillors were informed that the Joint Venture (JV) involving Maple Leaf Schools was unable to come to the required terms of the province and would no longer be interested in pursuing the property.

“This is certainly a setback to have Maple Leaf Schools leave the negotiating table. We were very optimistic that they could come to terms with the province and reach a partnership,” said Mayor Paul Kelly in a release Wednesday.

“This venture has always been an ideal fit for the town, sharing our vision of a positive economic outcome for Gravenhurst, I am disappointed, yet optimistic an ideal partner for this project will come forward.”

By way of this new information, staff presented council with two options for consideration:

  • The first option presented would see the Province return the property to the open market for sale. This option would eliminate any further financial or environmental risk to the Town and expose the property to immediate attention on the open market, however Town zoning and expectations of proponents would still be required.
  • The second option would see the Town explore the possibility of conducting another market search for a new development partner. This option would need the Province’s cooperation to do so, however would provide Council with the ability to retain some control over the end result, however the same terms and conditions required of Joint Venture project by the Province would still be required of any new proponent.

Following a short discussion, council chose to follow the staff recommendations to inform Infrastructure Ontario that Joint Venture/Maple Leaf Schools were not interested in proceeding with the property, therefore allowing the MRC property to be opened up to the broader public sector to gauge interest, before returning to the open market.

“While the decision of council is to return the property to the province and enter the open market, every reasonable effort will be taken to ensure that the property is developed in a manner that represents the best value to the community,” said Glen B. Davies, chief administrative officer in the release.