The first step in an environmental assessment on the former Pool 6 site was taken Thursday with a public consultation session.
As the city begins its Terms of Reference, or environmental assessment plan, it must consult the public before submitting its intentions to the Ministry of Environment.
"Public consultation plays an important role in any environmental assessment," said waterfront project manager Katherine Dugmore. "It’s basically the method for undertaking the environmental assessment so this is the public’s opportunity to provide us with a notion that the approach we’re taking is appropriate or to provide additional input."
Dugmore said the public comments will become part of the city’s documentation submitted to the MOE before an environmental assessment can begin. She said the comments can also be used to change things in the city plan.
Along with the Fisheries Act, Navigable Waters Act and environmental protection, Dugmore said an environmental assessment is just one part of the bureaucratic process.
"Like any waterfront land…there are a number of pieces of legislation that effect how you’re going to proceed," Dugmore said.
Early on in the consultation, Dugmore said most of the concerns she heard from citizens regarded what the plans for the site will be. If the environmental assessment is approved by the projected 2010 date, development could begin as early as 2011.
Gordon VanFleet was one of about 45 people at the Italian Cultural Centre at 5 p.m. He said he’s hoping the consultation, which goes until 9 p.m. Thursday, can answer his specific questions.
"I certainly have a lot of questions to ask," said VanFleet "The posters help us to explain the process but they don’t really provide a lot of information on the obstacles that have to be overcome with respect to this particular property.
"There are broad generalities about there being contamination on the property but nothing much in the way of detail which is what I’d like to find out."
VanFleet said he wants to know what it will take to clean up the site and how much it will cost the municipal taxpayer. He said the land in its current form needs to be developed. From parklands to a multi-purpose arena, VanFleet said he’s heard some good proposals but wants the development to be good for everyone.
"Right now the rubble from the Pool 6 Property, that’s not doing any of us any good," said VanFleet. "Can the property be developed in a way that benefits all of us in the city?"
Lakehead University student Scott Tiffin is in his fourth year of Outdoor Recreation. Tiffin came to the meeting because he is doing an assignment on the waterfront for his coastal and marine recreation class. He said it’s important to develop the land but he wants to see the land cleaned up.
"The fact that there’s no vegetation there. They should definitely make sure it’s safe if it’s going to be developed down there," said Tiffin.
Originally from Oakville, Tiffin said he’s always surprised at how few of his friends stop in Thunder Bay when they drive across the country. He said just developing condominiums and hotels at the waterfront won’t help tourism.
"When I tell people that I go to Thunder Bay how many people don’t even stop here that are driving across (the country) it’s crazy. You think we could get people to stop here," said Tiffin.
