The re-zoning needed to build a long-term care facility in Parsons Creek has been passed by council.
That now gives the province the necessary approvals to go ahead with the facility planned for the first phase of Parsons development.
Mayor Melissa Blake says even though Willow Square is priority number one for seniors’ care, this project is completely necessary.
“The decision, I think that the vote occurred this evening, is that we don’t want to eliminate the opportunity for the current long-term care patients to not have an improvement to what their circumstances are,” said Blake.
Councillor Guy Boutilier was the only vote against it, telling fellow councillors they were letting the province off the hook when it came to Willow Square.
“You’re approving tonight, saying that their first dollar will be spent up in Parsons Creek,” Boutilier continues, “fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, and I’m not going to be fooled. And so, I’m listening to seniors tonight, and I encourage ever member of council to listen to seniors tonight, and vote against second reading.”
Councillor Phil Meagher said with the city being so close to acquiring Willow Square, he wants to build a more positive relationship with the province.
“I just feel lately, we’ve just been so opposed to everything that the province has come up with,” he adds, “and when they come up here, it’s almost like we, well I shouldn’t say everybody, but one MLA feels shunned by certain individuals.”
The land re-zoned is two-and-a-half-acres.
