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“For years we’ve been trying to get economic development in Orléans, and now we’re seeing it,” says Orléans Coun. Bob Monette. ”(It’s becoming) a place to live, work and play, and be educated. This is another piece of the puzzle.”
Francophone college La Cité collégiale – hoping to build an $18.1 million, 63,000-sq. ft. campus for the construction trades by the 2010-2011 academic year – has asked the city to donate a 17-acre plot of land off Trim Road, between Highway 174 and North Service Road, for the project. After review by the city’s business advisory committee in July, staff are expected to present a recommendation on the initiative to the corporate services and economic development committee by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, Brigil Homes’ new waterfront condos, which will border the Ottawa River and Highway 174, are currently under construction. While seven acres of the 16-acre site will be retained in its natural state, according to the company, the other section of the property will become home to four 15-storey towers.
These new developments – in particular the campus – will become “the gateway to the community of Orléans” for any visitors or tourists travelling into Ottawa from the east, continues Monette.
With no city development plan for the area ever formalized – and with the land in question zoned commercial – he says the additions are “very welcome” in the community. The space around Trim Road and Highway 174 is far enough removed from Petrie as not to cause any issues, Monette adds, while most residents have moved to the surrounding area knowing that increased development was still to come.
“It’s been planned for many years,” he explains. “We have to make sure the land is well-developed … in a way that fits in with the existing community.”
The area “always was slated for development,” says Al Tweddle, chair of Friends of Petrie Island, adding that issues would only arise if the city wanted to add more parking at the beach. ”(There may be) more people walking and riding their bikes (down to the island). I don’t think it’s a real problem.”
As long as the new influx of residents and students respect environmental regulations in place for the east-end site – and with the continued stewardship role of the Friends and other groups at Petrie – he says he can’t imagine many difficulties will arise.
Yves Grandmaitre of Oziles’ – a marina, café and tackle shop located at Petrie Island – agrees that only good things seem to be in store for the area, with the fields adjacent to North Service Road also already purchased for development.
“Overall, I think it’s going to be very beneficial,” he explains, adding that with marine mechanics “few and far between,” he hopes to potentially partner with the college and its students. “It showcases Petrie Island as not only a beach, but that it can be used for many other things. For too long the focus has been only on the beach.”
In terms of ecological impact, 85 per cent of visitors to Petrie come for the beach, Grandmaitre says, meaning the site’s nature reserves will likely see little added traffic. The hope is, he continues, that the area’s other features – including sporting-related activities, fishing and boating – will become better utilized.
“I think Petrie’s going to become more of a destination,” Grandmaitre suggests. “There’s so much we can do … it’s an opportune time.”
(C) Orleans Star