A community group in the Lively region of Greater Sudbury has put forward suggestions for enhancing recreational opportunities in the area. About four years back, Vale, a mining company, acquired Meatbird Lake park from the city for $4 million, as part of its $100 million investment in upgrading the adjacent tailings area used for mining waste storage. Previously, the man-made lake and surrounding area were a popular spot for locals seeking summer relaxation. The funds from the park purchase have been held in reserve while deliberations continue on its future use.
Recently, the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel unveiled its proposed developments for the locale. Collaborating with the city, the committee has been exploring various options for utilizing the funds. Richard Eberhardt, a member of the panel, emphasized the vision to establish a year-round facility incorporating amenities such as a play pond, public sauna, performance stage, and food truck facilities. He expressed the aspiration to recreate the greatness of the past and underscored the potential site at the city-owned Anderson Farm Museum property.
Despite some opposition from the Anderson Farm Museum Heritage Society, Eberhardt highlighted the extensive community engagement undertaken before formulating the plan. He acknowledged the challenges of change but emphasized the necessity for innovation given the circumstances. The allocated $4 million is anticipated to cover a significant portion of the project costs, although additional funding from governmental sources or fundraising endeavors may be required.
Eberhardt emphasized the importance of garnering widespread community support to advance the project and suggested that convincing various stakeholders would be crucial. The ultimate decision regarding the fund utilization will rest with the Greater Sudbury city council in an upcoming session.