Newmarket resident Wendy Cassels said she lives down the street from the lands that once contained the Hollingsworth Arena.
That space now sits empty after the town demolished the arena. But Cassels joined others at an open consultation June 23 to provide some input into what the lands may become.
“I would love to see the green space in the ward,” she said. “We have a lot of kids in the neighbourhood."
The town hosted an “iWonder” consultation at its youth centre, providing audio and visual simulations of park space to spur feedback. The town invited attendees to leave notes and fill out surveys on what they would like to see happen on the lands.
Director of recreation and culture Colin Service said the format is designed to stimulate senses.
“When we use this iWonder format, we use it because we don’t have a specific purpose in mind yet,” Service said. “We want to create an environment that really opens people’s minds to what can be possible in the space.”
The space has been a point of some contention over the years. A previous proposal sought to build townhouses across the lands, but the town ultimately opted to keep much of the land for public use. However, Briarwood Development Group purchased part of the property for a condo tower development.
Ward 3 Councillor Jane Twinney said she thinks the community is feeling more positive about it now as the town works toward transforming the arena lands.
“There was a lot of concern and upset about losing Hollingsworth Arena, which I understand,” she said. “But I think in the end, when it’s all finished and done, I think the community is going to really appreciate it because now it’s going to be able to be used by everybody … It’s going to be something that you can feel proud of.”
Residents offered ideas ranging from skate parks to sports facilities to where garbage cans should go.
A splash pad feature was also a repeat request.
“Definitely a splash pad. There isn’t a splash pad in this neighbourhood at any of the parks,” resident Jillian Russell said, adding she is also interested in spaces for volleyball and basketball. “I’d love to see some of those things.”
Newmarket advertising sponsorship coordinator Jessie Zulauf said this is a chance to give the space back to the community.
“Hollingsworth Arena and that space have been part of the community for some time. It was a very special place,” he said.
Service said the feedback would be carried onto the start of a design process, likely midway into the next council term. More consultation will follow to talk about design in more detail.
Cassels said she knows it will take time to build. But in the meantime, she worries about traffic from the condo towers on the neighbourhoing property.
Still, she said she appreciated the consultation.
“I don’t know how much they’ll actually take it into consideration. But it makes us feel important.”
