Belleville Director of Recreation and Culture Mark Fluhrer, August 1, 2017 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville has envisioned a 10-year plan for the two Zwick’s parks, the waterfront, and the downtown centre block.
This was all rolled out at city council’s strategy session Day Two on Thursday.
Director of Recreation and Culture Mark Fluhrer presented council with a vision of how development could happen, including a market or Sens Sports Bar in a refurbished Memorial Arena building, conference centre on the waterfront, and a family entertainment centre on East Zwick’s.
Fluhrer says the city must turn its attention to the waterfront, “one of its greatest assets,” urging councillors to not be afraid to “imagine the best for the future.”
He said the city’s role is to facilitate private development by preparing the infrastructure.
With the help of futuristic photos, he pointed to the Downtown Centre Block, the section including market square, the closed Memorial Arena and the Legion building, as well as the harbourfront as prime areas for development.
Councillor Mitch Panciuk told council Memorial Arena renewal is key to that area of the planning.
Council Paul Carr called attention to West Zwick’s park.
He said “If we don’t do that, we have washroom problems and mobility issues when dealing with user groups.”
Mayor Taso Christopher says the city is ready to go ahead and staff will bring forward proposals to the capital budget debate in November.
He says the city has many kilometres of parkland on the water.
Both Christopher and Councillor Denyes indicated private developers have already shown an interest in waterfront ventures.
The mayor said there are opportunities for cafés and other types of development on the waterfront.
Councillor Jack Miller said council could “switch priorities” if a developer comes forward with a venture. He said he wouldn’t want to turn anyone away.
