Reflections from Crumbly Acres: More politics in Gravenhurst

While this post might belong in My Reflections and Musings, I do think that the powers-that-be must have a vision of their community.

As Kerri said in her article:

From the Muskoka cottage to the blogosphere

May 27, 2009 - by Kerri MacDonald

Picture a writer in Muskoka and you’ll probably conjure up the image of a quiet evening on the dock, a weatherworn journal and what William Wordsworth...

Cottage Country is changing and it depends upon tourist dollars in both summer and the

shoulder seasons. That said, since many leave town in in winter, summer dollars must be able to carry a community through the winter. I imagine, as a shop owner, or entrepreneur, to be outdoors selling at markets, or welcoming and embracing tourists and seasonal visitors in the sun and warmth, means you can spend the winter in other activities.

With a fair number of seniors (15%), we must ensure that there is enough of an infrastructure to support thousands of infrequent visitors, seasonal visitors, plus the families and neighbourhoods that support we full-time residents. We

cannot run water, sewer, and other utilities on a part-time basis.

In a brilliant move, what with our aging population and shrinking student population:

Seniors’ housing planned for old BMLSS

June 10, 2009 - by Matthew Sitler

"The former Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School on McMurray Street is about to be sold. That’s the word from developer John Davies, who is currently working toward cementing his purchase of the school.."

Then, in a plan to create some vision of what Muskoka can be:

Residents 'appalled' at amphitheatre proposal

June 10, 2009 - by Karen Longwell
"Proponents of a proposed amphitheatre on Gull Lake heard boisterous opposition from area residents on Saturday."

What are they thinking? You cannot have both residential housing, private cottages, and a downtown Toronto-style theatre that will mix both local residents, young children, and retirees, right in the heart of this beautiful Gull Wing Rotary Park, with loud music and a night life. Muskoka tradition has included Music on the Barge.

The traffic would be terrible, with proposed seating for 3800 and 3000 more on the lawn.

Gravenhurst is a delightful, small town. (Aside from the fact that they are filling Muskoka Wharf and paving paradise. Long-gone is the beautiful site of steamships pulling out of the dock, with the trees and the Precambrian shield framing the site, birds sailing on summer breezes. )

These places will have to be maintained year-round, without the audience to support it. Utilities will have to be put in place. They will need to have security for off-hours. But, with federal and provincial funding (your tax dollars at work!), $75 million would come from the government and the private sector would contribute $17.5 million.

Is this what councillors want Muskoka to be? Things are bad enough around The Kee in Bala* on a Saturday night, or on pub crawl night, when buses bring in drunk resort employees. We do not have enough housing or entertainment for young summer employees as it is.

The article states,

"A closed recital hall seating 800 to 1,000 people is also part of the proposal, and ancillary commercial uses, a restaurant and some housing/accommodation for performers is under consideration."

They also propose a closed recital hall. I am not sure that there is a market for that. The Gravenhurst Opera House has had concerts with 30 attendees, in a theatre that has 338 seats. I've been there for those! Not for me! Where are these people going to stay, park, eat, and even if they build it, will they come? For 4 concerts a week? Is this the best venue for a concert by Yo-yo Ma? Muskoka/Parry Sound has a long history of fabulous summer concerts, using venues that are perfect for summer tourist crowds.

The downtown core of Gravenhurst has been abandoned and the founding family entrepreneurs (pharmacists, grocers and family-friendly hardware stores) done out of business with the big box stores. The lovely buildings and restaurants, like the old Sloan's, forever changed. As along-time visitor to tourist towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake and other small-town tourism venues, I love those who have kept their character. Instead, Muskoka's Councillors are bringing Toronto north.

We'll get drunks out on boats, causing trouble, listening to free music, just like the incident in Bala. Resort nights are just drunk fests, designed to keep kids (summer employees) drunk, off the roads and in a bus on the streets. I'd rather my tax dollars went elsewhere - to support those in need, and help encourage small businesses, supportive housing, health care and not going to for-profit initiatives like this that will destroy a town's character. Tourism dollars were down by 30% last year, due to the rain in July. How can we depend on the weather to sustain such a venture?
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*There have been several fatalities related to The Kee in Bala:

Friends question bar's connection to train death