Meaford is moving ahead on swapping land with the Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB).
Council approved swapping a portion of Ryerson Street for the track lands at the former Georgian Bay Community School during a meeting on Jan. 15.
By approving this swap, the 1.8 acre track lands at 87 Aiken Street would belong to the municipality and the portion of unopened road on Ryerson Street would go to the BWDSB.
This is the latest after council discussed in April an opportunity to purchase the property. While the municipality and Grey County were unable to purchase the property due to the cost, Meaford proposed a land swap.
In early December, the board held a meeting to discuss the land swap proposal, where they voted to sell the track lands to the town.
BWDSB General Manager of Purchasing and Transportation Brian Hayman had previously indicated by swapping land, it would allow the board to sell almost 8.5 acres of connected land.
Interim CAO Matt Smith says by swapping land, it opens up the chance for future development, including affordable housing.
“We could potentially have apartment blocks or townhouses or stacked townhouses and things like that. That would make more use of that and provide more housing,” says Smith.
Staff will also come back to council with a proposed used for the newly acquired space, including a community garden.
While council debated on even if they should move ahead with the swap, Coun. Brandon Forder reiterated it would be good for the community.
“I feel that this is a great opportunity for us to have a permanent home for the community gardens and also having some level of green space,” says Forder.