Pubdate: Sat, 11 May 2013
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.orilliapacket.com/letters
Website: http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Roberta Bell

MUSKOKA'S MARIJUANA MESS

The possibility of a medical-marijuana facility has caused a big stir 
in a small Muskoka town.

About two weeks ago, the 700 residents of MacTier, located about an 
hour north of Orillia in the Township of Georgian Bay, learned their 
council was considering converting their only community centre and 
arena into a medical marijuana research and development plant.

It's the "heart of the town," said Steven Schell, co-chair of the 
10-member Save the Community Centre Committee, which formed April 26, 
two days after residents found out council agreed to sign a letter of 
intent with Mettrum Ltd.

"It's not that we're against the medical marijuana grow-op, it's just 
not in the right location," he said, adding the 10,000-square-foot 
building, constructed in the 1970s, is right across the street from 
an elementary school.

Council went to Mettrum after learning of a similar facility near Barrie.

"We approached them to see if they would consider setting up in the 
Township of Georgian Bay. The idea was rather exciting for them," 
said Mayor Larry Braid.

"Nobody would even know what's inside that factory when it's up and 
running," he said, noting there wouldn't be advertising or signage.

While the annual cost of operating the community centre is about 
$250,000, Braid said it only generates about $30,000 in revenue for 
the township.

"It's been steadily dropping over the years," he said, noting the 
revenue the township would generate by leasing the space to Mettrum 
would be "pretty substantial," although figures had not yet been discussed.

While Braid said the factory could provide up to 35 jobs in MacTier, 
Schell isn't so sure.

"I do think it would create a few jobs, but not as many as they're 
saying," said Schell.

To work there, most people would need "special qualifications," he 
said, noting the residents of MacTier likely don't have them.

Minor hockey and figure skating, seniors, church and crafts clubs use 
the community centre and arena on a regular basis, as does a moms and 
tots group.

"It's only a small town. It's the only gathering place that we have," 
Schell said, noting the community centre is often used for receptions 
for weddings and funerals.

The committee is willing to work with township staff to come up with 
ways to bring in more money, he said, like promoting it more broadly 
as an event venue.

Mettrum was in town May 4 to make its pitch to residents.

"They didn't even want to hear Mettrum's presentation. A whole bunch 
of them stormed out," Braid said, noting, of the 300 who attended, 
about 100 people left early.

If given the go-ahead on the project, the company would "work on" 
replacing the arena.

"I was really hopeful that they would sit down in a reasonable 
conversation instead of yelling and screaming at me and calling me 
names," said Braid, who wasn't surprised by the residents' concerns.

The committee would be more than happy to see the facility in a 
different place.

"In fact, we even gave them a couple of locations," Schell said, 
including a plastic-bottle factory that's closing in Twelve Mile Bay 
on the outskirts of MacTier.

"It's still within the Township of Georgian Bay limits," Schell said. 
"It would be a perfect spot."

Other sites require rezoning and pose complications the community 
centre didn't, Braid said.

Mettrum needs a building hooked up to the water and sewer system with 
three hydro lines running into it, he said, adding it limits where 
the facility can go.

Braid is hopeful the project will still go ahead somewhere in the 
township, although it probably won't be in MacTier.

Aside from the fact Mettrum was put off by the reaction at the public 
meeting, Braid said council always planned to base its decision on 
the feedback of residents.

"We weren't in a position to say, 'Yeah, it's a go,'" he added.

The issue is not on Monday's council agenda, but Braid anticipates 
the discussion coming up.

"We know if we lose it we will never ever get another community 
centre again," said Schell, who, like other residents, will "stand 
(his) ground and fight."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom