CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Nancy Field looks across her property to the empty space the P.E.I. Hospital property once stood on in Charlottetown.
The Brighton Road resident said she hopes the provincial government, which owns the property, does the right thing and keeps the property green.
Transportation Minister Steven Myers said there could be an announcement in a couple of weeks as to what the province intends on doing with the site.
“The hospital didn’t bother me being there but I like that it’s gone but I really would like to see it revert back to green space, not a parking lot,’’ Field told The Guardian on Thursday.
She found it a little off-putting that the province put down some millings behind the adjacent Aubin Arsenault Building to expand the parking lot by 40 spaces.
Now Field enjoys being able to see Fanningbank form her bedroom window and she hopes it stays that way.
“It’s part of the beauty of Charlottetown, having the squares up town, having this great part within walking distance. I’d love to see the boardwalk extended around (to Brighton Road) so that people could walk the loop, so they could do the complete circle.’’
She knows some people in the community have argued that some of the green space would be ideal for affordable housing. Field says she is all for affordable housing but Victoria Park is a jewel that should not be touched.
Transportation Minister Steven Myers has been in constant talks with the City of Charlottetown over the future of the old hospital property but remains firm that it won’t be developed.
“My commitment is the same. We don’t have any plans to build on it,’’ Myers said. “We’re working towards a plan that would see some sort of green space there but we don’t have it finalized yet. But, we are actively working on it so, hopefully, we’ll have something on it here in a couple of weeks.’’
Myers knows there has been a lot of speculation about what’s going to happen but he’s clear about one thing, he and the city are on the same page on this matter — the property will stay green.
“My commitment is the same. We don’t have any plans to build on it. We’re working towards a plan that would see some sort of green space there but we don’t have it finalized yet. But, we are actively working on it so, hopefully, we’ll have something on it here in a couple of weeks.’’
- Steven Myers
Coun. Alanna Jankov, chairwoman of the city’s strategic priorities and intergovernmental co-operation committee, said she is someone who believes in the value of green space and park space.
“I believe we are on the same page when it comes to the overall vision for that property,’’ Jankov said. “Both parties agree that returning the property to parkland makes sense given its location and connection with Victoria Park.’’
Ford Nguyen, who also lives just across the street from the property, thinks it would be a great spot for a public garden.
Field said regardless of what it becomes, she wants it to be a safe place.
“My only concern ... is that it’s lit,’’ she said. “It’s something that needs to be a little bit controlled and patrolled. I wouldn’t like to see the park turned into an amusement park. We have a pool, we have the skateboard park, we have the new playground but I think enough is enough.’’
She’s OK with a public garden but hopes the area isn’t filled with anything more than benches and picnic tables and lots of space for people walk and kids to play.
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