Council to look at Annandale park agreement

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Tillsonburg council called for a staff report on the original agreement when the land now used for the Annandale ball diamonds was donated to the town.

The move came in the wake of public outcry after the town released a plan to build new ball diamonds on land on Mall Road and build a residential development on the present ball diamond land to fund the new diamonds. When the plan was discussed at a public meeting, the majority of the residents in attendance raised concerns about losing the park land.

There were also concerns raised about the original agreement with the town when the developers of the adjacent subdivision donated the land.

Mayor Deb Gilvesy vacated the chair to put forward a motion recognizing concerns raised by citizens, acknowledging and upholding the 1977 development agreement with Cyril Demeyere, and calling for a staff report on what is required for the town to meet its obligations under the original agreement.

“The agreement was complex as there was extra land dedicated,” Gilvesy said, adding she talked to Demeyere. “I think it’s really important we take a look at this agreement.”

She read the agreement, and urged other councillors to do likewise.

“Once parkland is gone, it’s gone, and we need to take a serious look at that,” she said.

The motion was passed by council.