Whether it’s through housing or a community facility, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents say they want to see the future of the old hospital on Wellington Street serve the people who live in town — and some are nervous what may happen if private developers acquire the property.
Dozens gathered at the NOTL Community Centre Wednesday morning for the first public session in a months-long consultation with NPG Planning Solutions on the former hospital site’s next chapter.
The town bought the 2.3-acre property at 176 Wellington St. after Niagara Health declared it surplus. It’s now rented to a private school, small business and Niagara EMS, but no long-term plan has been set.
To change that, consultants are collecting ideas and concerns from residents, with the results to be presented to council in December.
Over the summer, they gathered input through a public survey, community mapping and small-group workshops.
The online survey, which ran from July 7 to Aug. 5, drew 580 responses. “Housing” topped the list of preferred land uses.
This week’s sessions gave residents their first chance to see early findings and react before the final report. Overviews of findings will be posted online, says consultants.
“People are nervous about, I think, what might happen if it was to be sold to a private developer,” said Denise Horne, NPG’s manager of heritage and policy planning.
“They want to know that there’s something decided before anything changes on the site.”
Resident Susan Baxter fears the survey response “housing” is too broad and could be misinterpreted — she said she believes respondents may have meant affordable or seniors’ housing, not large-scale development.
As a senior herself, she said it’s important NOTL has something more in terms of housing for seniors in town.
“They do say that we are a senior community,” she said.
Klara Young-Chin, who was also at the session, agreed.
“The town should never, ever consider selling the property,” she said.
She said the last thing she wants is for developers to have the property — which should instead meet the needs of the town’s aging population.
“Not necessarily a nursing home,” she said. Many older residents want smaller options that allow them to stay local and connected.
Others offered different ideas — resident Gwynne Giles suggested a shared-cost swimming pool. “People want it,” he said.
He said the town could share the cost with the Armed Forces, “because it’s the only way the (town) could afford it.”
The Exchange Brewery founder Robin Ridesic said the site’s community facility zoning should remain unless no public use can be found.
“The town has to lead with our official plan,” she said. “It can only be considered for rezoning to residential if there is found to be no community use needs for the site.”
Founder and president of RegenaLife Dr. Nick Vaccaro proposed his idea for the site, Wellness Estates, to residents in August — a commercial and condominium complex combining medical facilities, residential units and community amenities.
Young-Chin said she worries this project could lean toward higher prices rather than helping locals.
Coun. Wendy Cheropita attended and said she hopes future sessions draw a wider audience for a broader perspective.
“There must be another way we can reach more people,” she said.
She plans to raise the issue with council and said it’s important for councillors to attend things like this, even when their presence isn’t required.
“I will always come out to events like this. Because you have a chance — one-on-one — to chat with residents. To listen,” she said.
Cheropita said one resident shared thoughtful ideas with her that could shape the final results presented to council. “I wouldn’t have known that, having not come here,” she said.
Another session was held Wednesday evening at the NOTL Community Centre, and a final one is set for Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Centennial Arena in Virgil.
After that, the only way for residents to weigh in would be posting a comment online at jointheconversationnotl.org/former-hospital-site under ‘Ideas’ or by appearing as a delegate at council once the report goes forward, said Horne.
