George Mathewson Over the past 20 years Sarnia’s downtown has morphed from a gouged out commercial shell into a humming blender of culture and enterprise. But one thing’s been missing in the core essential to its continued growth – a grocery store.
George Mathewson
Over the past 20 years Sarnia’s downtown has morphed from a gouged out commercial shell into a humming blender of culture and enterprise.
But one thing’s been missing in the core essential to its continued growth – a grocery store.
So there were smiles all around last week when Gord Laschinger, the guy spearheading the Bayside Centre redevelopment, said an anchor grocery store is on the way that will feature a meat department, bakery, fresh produce and deli.
Better yet, a local entrepreneur with a vested interest in the city – the owner of Davy Jones Quality Meats –was chosen over two national chains that had been kicking the mall’s tires.
The 8,000-square-foot grocery store is expected to open this fall near the corner of Vidal and Cromwell streets.
And Laschinger had more good news.
Brighter LED lighting will be installed in the parking complex beneath the Bayside Centre in coming months, increasing safety and comfort, and parking hours will be extended to 10 p.m.
The Showmobile must go on!
Sarnia’s Showmobile was headed for a trip to the scrapyard until city council intervened last week.
If you’ve attended an outdoor event you’ve probably seen the Showmobile. It’s that quaint stage on wheels from which Santa launches the Celebration of Lights, and from which magicians make things disappear on Canada Day. Last year it featured in 15 city and community group events.
But city staff had recommended pulling the Showmobile and selling it as surplus. Built in 1978, it’s worth only about $1,500 but needs $46,000 in repairs, they say. What’s more, it lacks a power source, audio system and is not wheelchair accessible.
But councillors balked when confronted with the junk-it recommendation.
“This Showmobile is part of Sarnia, part of our history,” said Coun. Dave Boushy.
Instead, staff were asked to come back with more detailed repair estimates, possible partnerships out there, and even the suggested list price of a shiny new Showmobile.
Lifeguard whistles silenced
And speaking of community treasures, Jackson Pool won’t be opening this summer.
The 50-year-old outdoor swimming pool on East Street needs about $150,000 worth of repairs but has even bigger structural problems.
A vinyl pool liner installed 20 years ago has exceeded its lifespan, but more importantly the ground around the pool is subsiding, causing cracks to open in the concrete shell and deck, according to a staff report.
Officially, Jackson is off-limits only until city staff can better assess it and consider its future as part of a master plan for Germain Park.
But, sadly, there’s a good chance the pool may never reopen.
