Next week, a key recommendation is coming to Guelph City Council as the Ontario government plans to sell the Ontario Reformatory Lands.
The Coalition to Protect Ontario Reformatory Lands is calling the public prior to the decision on June 14 to an online public meeting on ZOOM on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
“There is an opportunity for the key parts of the OR lands to be preserved as a rare treasure – a large urban green space accessible to the public to be protected in perpetuity for current and future generations of Guelph residents,” read a press release by the coalition.
The decision will determine if the cultural heritage landscape and parkland on the Ontario Reformatory Land will be protected after the land is sold.
City staff are recommending designation under Part 4 of the Heritage Act which would protect several buildings.
The citizens committee and Heritage Guelph is recommending Part 5 to protect the Cultural Heritage Landscape of the OR lands.
“This combination of protections will guarantee that these heritage assets will be protected for future generations as a Heritage Conservation District and will provide a greater chance of the Ontario Reformatory lands remaining in the public realm,” read the press release.
“The Coalition to Protect the OR Lands supports the recommendations of the Guelph Heritage Committee that City Council designate the Ontario Reformatory Lands under both Part 4 (to recognize the heritage attributes of the historic buildings) and Part 5 (to recognize the Cultural Heritage Landscape) of the Ontario Heritage Act.”
Members of the Coalition includes Yorklands Green Hub, Council of Canadians, Wellington Water Watchers, Guelph Outdoor School, Guelph Urban Forest Friends, Transition Guelph, Nature Guelph, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and Up and Running Guelph.
Speakers on Tuesday’s public meeting will include David Alton from the Yorklands Green Hub, Susan Ratcliffe from the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (Guelph).
