I am a proud citizen of Sudbury.
Sudbury is a world class city. Sudbury is the international hub of mining. Sudbury is the world’s hub of mining technology and engineering. Sudbury is the global poster child of re-greening. Sudbury is a world-class centre for experimental cosmic physics with SNOLAB. The Sudbury area is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation.
Sudbury is the hub of Northern Ontario and the regional medical referral centre.
Have things ever improved in my lifetime.
We are now, finally, being presented with a credible view to the future, thanks to our mayor and city council.
That view involves the city purchasing some land downtown, located around Shaughnessy Street, to move the downtown area forward.
Roughly speaking, here is what it means. A number of properties become vacant just east of our arena, leaving a footprint that can be re-developed into a new arena and parking area as well as an entertainment district.
At the same time, Paramount Properties released a few details on a plan to re-develop the site of the old Sudbury General Hospital into a multi-tower development involving condominiums, apartments and senior living, as well as roof-top restaurants etc.
I recently attended Waubgeshig Rice’s book launch at Place des Arts and was amazed at how nicely the centre was done, as well as how it paid homage to other languages as well as cultural diversity.
So, envision this …
Starting at the Place des Arts, you walk south-east past the YES Theatre Refettorio, on past the avant-garde entry to our YMCA and continue to the site of the present arena.
Now imagine it new and improved. Across the street is our historic train station, which has already experimented with re-purposing. As you proceed there is room for a convention centre / entertainment / casino next to the Sudbury Theatre Centre, which itself is a natural fit into this plan. And there’s Memorial Park, a stone’s throw away and right beside the recently announced cultural hub, which will house our library and art museum.
Across the Bridge of Nations, you walk close to the Bell Mansion, which may be re-purposed. You could B-line down to Bell Park. Further on, you reach the new proposed Paramount development with it’s attractions on the shore of Lake Ramsey and Bell Park.
You pass the Grace Hartman Ampitheatre – another entertainment venue. A little further along the boardwalk, you overlook our gorgeous mid-city lake again and you reach Science North. There, you get a glimpse of the Sudbury Yacht Club, the new Watersports Centre, and you see and can actually touch the Creighton Fault — how cool is that? Across the street, you have the James Jerome Athletic Park with its own nature boardwalk.
What an incredible collection of spaces to build on. All they need is a catalyst – a primer. Could this become Sudbury’s Golden Mile? Or are we just too jaded to see it?
Imagine that, all these wonderful spaces integrated into a walk, through downtown. All near enough each other with just some space between them to act as a buffer.
Now that is a draw. It is a unique, world-class draw that eclipses many cities’ dreams. And it’s all possible here. Are we overlooking our good fortune?
Of course, as time goes by, specific sites may be re-purposed. But once it catches on, these things develop a life of their own and attract other players. One thing is certain, once a vision is established and makes sense, it will roll. If it makes sense (and I think it does), then land will be re-sold. The new businesses will finance themselves and not depend on handouts.
When I look at this plan, it makes me proud to be a Sudburian, to be a member of an ever-improving community.
Let the negative Nancys and Normans, as well as the other armchair critics, take a breath, sit back and let this new idea unfold.
We need to say, “Thanks for the vision.” Let’s move Sudbury ahead in a world-class way.
Dr. Klaus Jakelski is a retired family physician and author, who remains active in long-term care. He resides in Greater Sudbury. You can learn more about him by visiting his website, Jakelski.com.
