Dear editor:
David Israelson’s editorial captured exactly what so many of us in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been thinking but haven’t said loudly enough (“Community cultural hub is best use for old Wellington hospital,” Oct. 16).
The future of 176 Wellington St. is a defining moment for this town. The decision will show whether we value the public good or allow a handful of private interests to dictate what happens to one of the last significant parcels of community-owned land in Old Town.
Mr. Israelson is right to remind us that this handsome, historic site belongs to the people. It was built by the community to serve its residents, and it still can.
The idea of transforming the property into an arts, education, and cultural centre represents precisely the kind of forward-thinking, community-based use this town desperately needs.
As a working mum of a young family, I came to this town with high hopes for my children. I love everything good that this town represents. The sense of pride and community is an inspiration.
I want my children to grow up here and be raised in this town. We have been fortunate to meet many young families, too. Our children will be the future of this town and it is essential that we be part of the town’s plan.
The alternative proposals are not without merit, but private residences and medical offices can be developed on countless other sites.
What cannot be replicated is the spirit and purpose of a community landmark that has gathered First Nations on its grounds for thousands of years, located in the centre of historic sites such as Fort George, the Commons, and the Indian Council House.
The proposed arts and learning centre would bring together institutions that already define the best of Niagara — Shaw Festival, Bravo Niagara, Yellow Door Theatre, the NOTL Museum, Niagara Parks, and many others — under one roof, in partnership with Indigenous leadership and programming that would finally bring this region’s full story to light.
This is such a pivotal planning decision. It’s about what kind of community we want to be, not just today but for future generations.
Do we plan for the few, or do we plan for everyone — families, seniors, artists, educators, and the millions who come here to experience Niagara’s beauty and culture?
Mr. Israelson’s call to “get to the hub of the matter” is exactly the kind of civic courage we need right now.
Council has the chance to protect a community asset that belongs to the public and should stay that way. Let’s not sell off another part of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s story. Let’s build something that honours its past and invests in its future.
Syreeta Larkan
NOTL
