The Town of The Blue Mountains has terminated negotiations for the Campus of Care project just outside of Thornbury.
On the afternoon of Nov. 8, the town sent out a news release announcing that negotiations between the town and Skyline Development Acquisitions Inc. and peopleCare Communities Inc. had ceased.
The news release stated that negotiations were “unsuccessful” and had been “terminated.”
A report on the matter from town CAO Shawn Everitt will be presented to council at the council meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
In the report, which is available online, Everitt said recent changes to development charges – the town passed a new development charges bylaw that increased its development fees and the provincial government backed off on plans to force municipalities to phase in development charges increases over five years – had a major impact on the Campus of Care negotiations.
“Unfortunately, due to these changes, the Campus of Care’s financial viability could not be negotiated further. The determination is that the project was not financially viable and that no further advancement be considered,” states the report by Everitt.
The town was negotiating the sale of a portion of the town-owned property located at 125 Peel Street to Skyline and peopleCare for the Campus of Care proposal. The developers would have purchased 18.7 acres of the property from the town for $15 million.
If successful, the project would have included 160 long-term care beds, another 160 beds available as attainable labour force housing, 300 multi-family units, 80 daycare spaces, community gardens, pickleball courts, a playground, and 250+ retirement living beds.
“Unfortunately, after months of active negotiations, the negotiation process related to the land sale has been unsuccessful due to current economic realities and recent provincial and town level changes related to development charges,” Mayor Andrea Matrosovs said in the news release.
“I would like to thank town staff and representatives from Skyline and peopleCare for their dedication throughout the negotiation process. Although a deal was not reached, the town remains focused and committed to increasing access to long-term care for residents.”
The news release also stated that there will be no further action with regards to the installation of municipal services for the property at 125 Peel Street. The town had faced significant criticism from members of the public for the servicing plans for the property.
“Any further consideration for the installation of municipal services at the 125 Peel Street property will be brought forward to council in the future; however, no plans are in place at this time,” the news release stated.
The town also said the 160 long-term care beds allotted to the community by the province are still in place and in the hands of peopleCare.
“The town will continue to work with peopleCare Communities Inc. towards the goal of a future long-term care facility in The Blue Mountains,” the news release noted.
The new release also confirmed that the town continues to own the full 125 Peel Street property. Council will look at options for the property in the future, but the town currently has no plans for the land.
