With confirmation that the greenspace around Laurentian University won’t be sold off to help cover the schools debts, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury and supporters gathered at Laurentian Beach on Oct. 21 to celebrate.
Back in June, the university announced that it wouldn’t sell its greenspace to the province of Ontario to fund payouts to its creditors as part of the institution’s insolvency proceedings.
At the time, Naomi Grant, chair of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, celebrated the announcement.
“We've been waiting for so long for a formal statement on their intent about the outcome for the greenspace and trails,” said Grant. "And so to finally get that statement, and to see it clearly say that land would not be sold, that the community’s love for the greenspace is very acknowledged, and that the intent of the university is to ensure public access to the green space, all of those things were really, really positive.”
Grant was celebrating again on Oct. 21 when supporters gathered at the beach on the Laurentian campus to learn more about the ecology of the area that makes it so special, and to celebrate that it will remain pristine. On hand for the event was Peter Beckett, professor emeritus of reclamation, restoration and wetland ecology at Laurentian University, who shared his knowledge of the greenspace and its plants, trees and animals.
Also on hand was Jody Tverdal (administrative lead, office of the president and vice-chancellor at Laurentian University), Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe, MPPs Jamie West and France Gélinas, and Deputy Mayor Joscelyne Landry-Altman.
Community leader Bob Rogers told the group about the beginnings of the LU trails, and how they were built by the community, for the community. Local artists Elyse Portal and Emilio Portal were also on hand to share how the greenspace they love so much nourishes their creative process as artists.
The event attracted more than 50 Sudburians.
Grant told Sudbury.com on Saturday that hundreds of Sudburians were involved in the effort to save the greenspace, through writing letters, contacting politicians, raising money and more, which shows how important the area is to many people.
The greenspace, the trails that crisscross it and the beach are four-season destinations for the public, and for local schools who make regular visits to the area.
“It’s just a heart of the community … it’s so beautiful,” she said.
Mark Gentili is the editor of Sudbury.com.
