Yorklands Deputation to Council May 12 GID Secondary Plan

From the Yorklands Green Hub folks.

Thank you so much for taking the time, at such a late hour, to listen to the deputation of Yorklands Green Hub concerning the GID Secondary plan. As we noted in our deputation, the Yorklands vision both supports and is in alignment with the GID’s plan as outlined by senior planner Joan Jaylynne and economic development general manager Peter Cartwright to:

§ Protect what is valuable

§ Create sustainable and energy efficient infrastructure

§ Grow innovative business and employment opportunities

§ Promote a healthy diversity of land use and densities

§ Establish a balanced mobility system

§ Create an attractive and memorable place

We especially wanted to draw your attention to our focus on the economic development impact that we believe Yorklands, along with its partners will bring to the GID. (see attached list of endorsers – some are already active partners/collaborators).

So what’s the Economic Impact of YGH?

While the proposed asset base of YGH is only a small part of the GID, it will, we believe, in financial terms act as an economic leverage tool for site development. How the site presents is critical to attracting quality development, whether its residential, business or institutional.

Yorklands will be the York road gateway to the site and will be:

An economic driver and source of sustainable quality green industry employment and business

An economic cluster of business and organizations which will attract new green business to Guelph

A tourism centre drawing visits from across Ontario, Canada and beyond to showcase the landscape and heritage features of the site and its historical spirit of reform and innovation.

An environmental exhibition centre

to show the science and practical application of local food initiatives, water protection and renewable energies that are needed for the 21st century.

A heritage site that honours the value of the GCC site and contributes to its repurposing for the 2lst century

An educational resource for elementary and high school students for hands on learning in water and energy use and the economics of food growth and production. An adult learning environment for the whole community to use water and energy more wisely and to support local food options

A research hub in partnership with academics and their students, University of Guelph with a focus on the research & development of the 3 pillars of our work: Food, Water & Energy

A year round public recreation site

– walking and hiking trails, nature walks, bird watching, snow-shoeing and cross country ski-ing trails, recreational fishing

A community hub

– building economic, social and environmental capacity for and in our community

Yorklands, in line with our commitment to sustainable energy, water and food options, intends, over time, to be a self sustaining not for profit organization. We committed to working

in collaboration with partners (governments, institutions, private sector and community led organizations) to ensure that the rich heritage of the GCC site is reflected in the repurposing and redevelopment of the site.

We are grateful for Council support of this important initiative as we move forward to have the land/buildings in which we have an interest transferred from the province.

We are looking forward to working with both planning and economic development staff to ensure that this historic site will be repurposed to meet the environmental, economic and social sustainability needs of the city.NC

Yorklands Green Hub list of endorsers