HomeMy WebLinkAboutNeighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road - Ottawa Citizen - 02/12/2018 - Ottawa Citizen - 02/12/20182/15/2018 Neighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road I Ottawa Citizen
Neighbours vow to fight proposal
for francophone community
centre in the old Grant School on
Richmond Road
JACQUIE MILLER
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2/15/2018 Neighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road I Ottawa Citizen
Some neighbours of the former Grant school on
Richmond Road say they will continue their fight
against a proposed francophone community
centre on the site, even as plans for the
development have been posted for public
comment.
The plans call for (https://appOl.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?
tang=en&appld=_AY4FX1) the old school to be renovated and two additions
added, one for a gym and the other for a day-care centre and medical
clinic.
The complex will house offices for francophone community groups as well
as classrooms for the French public school board and La Cite, a
community college, according to the plans. The French public school
board has stepped in as a partner in the project and wants to take
ownership of the property.
Some of the neighbours who are tired of living next to the boarded -up
school say the project is a boondoggle and should be abandoned. Al
Speyers wrote letters of protest to both the provincial education minister
and the City of Ottawa treasurer. He warns the French school board is
being drawn into a "multi-million dollar financial sinkhole."
He said the city has never asked tough questions about the decade -old
project, including whether a francophone community centre is needed.
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2/15/2018 Neighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road I Ottawa Citizen
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Another neighbourhood resident, Geoffrey Sharpe, is upset that the
proposal hinges on the transfer of Grant School to the French school
board for $1. That's outrageous, since the city originally bought the
property in 2008 for the francophone community group, he said. "The city
did not purchase this property for the school board."
The project experienced delays, problems with fundraising and escalating
renovation costs. Construction began in 2015 but was halted after the
francophone community group ran out of money. In December, the
province announced it would provide $8.95 million in funding to complete
the centre. That brings the total amount spent by the province and the
city on the project to $15.15 million.
French public school board president Linda Savard said her organization
supports the idea of a francophone community hub and will provide the
management expertise to finally complete the project.
Ronald Bisson, spokesperson for the non-profit francophone group, said
city council has already approved the idea of a community centre on the
site. The only thing changing is the ownership of the property, he said.
Approvals are still needed from city committees and council, who are
expected to debate the issue in March. A spokesperson for the school
board said they hope to start construction in May or June.
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2/15/2018 Neighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road I Ottawa Citizen
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2/15/2018 Neighbours vow to fight proposal for francophone community centre in the old Grant School on Richmond Road I Ottawa Citizen
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4 Comments
Add a comment...
David Gillard
Elitist is right. Francophones get whatever they want. If it was an Anglo community centre,
probably wouldnt get past first base.
Like • Reply • 14 hrs • Edited
un Mang
$15M to an elitist group for no return! I'm sure they can waste more money than that...
Like • Reply • 1 • 15 hrs
I olb ILamo
Oh no ... francophone treaty rights not being respected... is that what Trudeau said
Like • Reply • 14 hrs
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