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LETTER: Orillia should move to acquire waterfront land at former HRC

'We know people are in favour of increased public access to our lakes,' says letter writer
Letter to the Editor
2025-06-25-hrc-grounds-and-building
The province is "working to advance" demolition of 49 buildings and 11 tunnels on the former Huronia Regional Centre property on Memorial Avenue.Dave Dawson/OrilliaMatters

BarrieToday welcomes letters to the editor at raymond@barrietoday.com or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a story titled 'Province approves demolition of HRC buildings, OKs new OPP Academy,' published June 25.

Ever since I moved to Orillia over 30 years ago, I have been appalled by the lack of public access to the Lake Simcoe waterfront at the former Huronia Regional Centre property, especially since the institution closed.

I have frequently walked and biked along the trail beside the property and paddled and rowed along the shoreline, always feeling so disappointed that this absolutely beautiful natural area is not accessible.

It sounds like the province is finally making some decisions about what to do with the property. In the article, there is no mention of the shoreline area. I would think that this would be an ideal time for the City of Orillia to be proactive and take steps to secure public ownership and access to this part of the property.

In fact, it would be negligent for the city to do otherwise.

We know people are in favour of increased public access to our lakes. It’s time for our municipal leaders to be bold, take advantage of what may be an excellent opportunity, and support what surveys and public input have been telling them.

Kathy Hunt
Orillia