ONTARIO NORTHLAND’S CEO BEING HAULED BEFORE GRAVENHURST COUNCIL TUESDAY TO EXPLAIN WHY TOWN’S TRAIN STATION WON’T BE NEXT STOP FOR THIS ‘SUMMER’ RETURN OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST — Chad Evans may or not be run out of town here Tuesday after appearing before the town’s council with an update on the speed, progress — and timing — of Ontario Northland’s new promised return of passenger rail service.
A public push for accountability on a planned shelter box — and possible bus stop — has the CEO of the transportation network coming to town here to explain himself and the provincial Crown agency.
The drive by citizens forced council to ask for answers as to why the train from Toronto will bypass the heritage building by 100 metres in order to make a stop at a new heated and locked glass shelter with parking lot adjacent to the YIG grocer.
Bob Barnes, leader of the public group, ponders in a release: “The last piece of the infrastructure puzzle — where is the passenger shelter going to be located? Where will Passengers arrive and depart?
“Find out March 17 by attending the council meeting at 3 p.m. at the town hall 5 Pineridge Gate.”
He wants a full house of residents and cottagers who if all else fails and Northland doesn’t acquiesce by allowing the Northlander to stop at the Train Station to least of all allow for the small shelter in the grassy area outside on the town-owned property.
He says limited capacity for spectators in the council chamber means getting their early.
“Fill the gallery, let our voices
be heard,” Barnes says in release.
Ontario Northland has already begun construction in Bracebridge near the torn down train station there; and in Huntsville right next door to its former Train Station, which is houses the Smokin’ Hot Barbecue Restaurant.
The Well Fed sandwich shop in downtown Gravenhurst has a tentative MOU to move and open its food business in the Train Station.
Northland also has shelter contracts in Washago, South River, Matheson, Kirkland Lake, Temiskaming Shores and Temagami — even claims Barnes — if there is already a station there.
Gravenhurst, he says, has a station, owned by the town with two thirds rented and one-third that was once a thriving waiting room with ticket office, snack bar and washrooms.
Now it’s vacant waiting for the appropriate tenant.
However, he says, Ontario Northland has already said it is planning to locate their own shelter alongside the tracks — a block away.
The group of Gravenhurst advocates has been working over the winter to ensure both residents and elected council members of Gravenhurst have a say in where passengers will be sheltered.
Both Chapman and Barnes will be speaking at the meeting.
So all aboard, says Barnes, “time is of the essence.
“Gravenhurst needs to be ready for the Northlander’s summer arrival.”
It could come as early as “August or July,” premier Doug Ford told MuskokaTODAY.com when asked in January about it’s arrival while he was in Port Sydney at a snowmobile fundraiser for Muskoka’s two hospitals.
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