What? Y only group standing

Going into the public meeting on Wednesday, Oct 24, there were three groups with plans for the Normal School in London.

Since I wrote about the preview to the meeting, here is the followup from The London Free Press. It's interesting to note that only one group is going forward as two other vision groups for the Wortley School landmark have backed down to put the focus on the YMCA.

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Y proposal only one left for Normal School

By Kelly Pedro, The London Free Press

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

LONDON -- Old South residents arrived to hear three proposals for the former London Normal School only to find they’d hear only one.

Both Magnus Asset Management and London Innovation opted not to submit proposals for the historical landmark, leaving the YMCA which unveiled plans for a daycare, community programs and administration offices to a crowd of about 100 people at a public meeting at South secondary school Wednesday night.

The green space — a key community concern — would remain unchanged, except for an enclosed playground for daycare children, as required by law.

It would cost the YMCA about $2 million annually to operate the building — funds they have — and about $4,6 million to retrofit the building to suit their needs and make it accessible, funds the chief executive openly said the organization does not have.

“We have no magic pot of money,” said Shaun Elliott, adding the Y would likely appeal to one or three levels of government for help with capital costs.

Some in the audience questioned the Y’s ability to do that; others welcomed the proposal.

“I’m delighted that we got this far and this close to the finish line,” said resident Archie Young.

As some residents raised concerns about parking and whether there was a need for more daycare in the neighbourhood, Young thanked the Y for their proposal.

“We are at the threshold of seeing a responsible use of this building,” he said. “I think we are immensely fortunate.”

The heritage building has been empty since 2004.

Province of Ontario owns building

The province, which owns the Wortley Village landmark, has spent $5 million to renovate its exterior. When the province declared it surplus, the city stepped in. With interest in the green space, but not the building, the city sought potential community partners.

The YMCA will send its detailed proposal to the city by Nov. 2.

Photo is from The London Free Press site: lfpress.com