The following is an opinion column by MidlandToday community editor Andrew Philips.
Midland seems to be gradually turning into the magical land of Oz.
And just like that world, it’s better to not pay much import to the man behind the curtain. He’s the one trying to call the shots as the rest of the citizens quietly go about their business.
And while in both the classic book and film, the Wizard of Oz is just one person trying to control the world, Midland’s curtain is being held in check by several high-powered men and women, many of whom live in waterfront homes on the shores of Georgian Bay.
They have their wonderful waterfront already and might not speak up for ordinary residents, who have limited access to the same body of water.
That could be one of the reasons they have trained their collective focus firmly on Little Lake Park.
Some of these sorts might not visit it often, but maybe by emphasizing it as the ‘jewel’ of Midland as suggested by former Mayor Gord McKay (who like current Mayor Stewart Strathearn lives on Georgian Bay), it will keep the Munchkins or, in this case, townsfolk happy and they won’t wonder why they have such little access to the beautiful bay lapping at their doors.
For context, take a gander at Orillia’s amazing waterfront that includes two large parks to ensure abundant community access. Even the growing behemoth that is Barrie has its high-rise condos ensconced on the other side of the road from the waterfront.
It’s difficult to fathom for even a second that Midland will do anything remotely similar.
Sure, they’ll come up with something to appease those looking at the former Unimin property as a godsend, but there’s an excellent chance the huddled masses won’t get much more than a small slice of the heavenly pie.
And that slice will undoubtedly be the first one served, you know the one that always comes out of the baking plate looking like an infernal mess.
Even the name given to the former Unimin property sounds like something out of a developer’s handbook. The Midland Bay Landing moniker certainly doesn’t scream public access, but rather sounds like a quaint collection of expensive homes bordering Georgian Bay with a boardwalk, benches, some trees and maybe a few picnic tables.
Yes, the town pledges to ensure there will be plenty of public access at ‘the lands formerly known as Unimin’ and let’s just hope that’s true. But it’s hard to fathom why the town doesn’t just leave the Unimin property as one large, beautiful parcel with bountiful recreational opportunities and build the high-end homes across Bayshore Drive.
Those currently lucky enough to live on the water might think there’s already adequate access to the bay thanks to Pettersen and Gawley Parks, but they’ll forget to mention that those beaches are often posted due to e-coli concerns during the prime swimming season (not to mention Gawley’s mucky bottom).
Some of these folks are retired residents, who might not use the same essential and recreational services as a young family and just want to increase the tax base through widespread development; something that could, in turn, create a less desirable place to live.
This brings us to a recent council meeting where councillors approved a privately-owned waterpark in the pristine and serene ‘jewel’ that is Little Lake Park without even conducting any sort of environmental assessment.
And by keeping the community’s continued gaze towards Little Lake, it diverts attention from the bigger body of water that so many from away adore.
Now is definitely the time for anybody without a boat, waterfront home or access to neighbouring Tiny’s beaches (and that township’s draconian parking rules) to step up to have their voices heard.
Just like in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the men and women calling the shots for our town would prefer you stay silent.
They’d also like to thank you in advance for not lifting the curtain.
