Keep the P1 Parking Area Locked Up

Last night Council debate the P1 Parking lot and I wasn't surprised to learn how Buckley Insurance is the centre of much controversy.

As a background, Town staff are proposing parking spaces to be constructed on top of Riverwalk Commons park/ walking trails land.  But at least part of the intended parking area is owned by Buckley Insurance.  The Town staff are still figuring out the difference between public and private land in this area.

The solution that Council adopted last night is to block off the disputed parking spots until the ownership issue is cleared up.

Buckley won't be happy, as dissenting voter Councillor Kerwin pointed out, because he won't be able to use these spaces for his own private needs.  As many know, Buckley isn't the most community minded of companies but he is tight with our Council.  Buckley Insurance is the type of place where employees are forced to have mirrors at their phones "so customers can hear you smile."  He is also the type of business owner to be constantly involved in legal disputes with his neighbours.  You can draw your own conclusions about Buckley from that.

My suggestion to the Town of Newmarket is far more pragmatic.  Keep the P1 area locked up.  This P1 area should be used for pedestrians and families to enjoy.  Parked cars in that area will ruin the vibe of Riverwalk Commons.

On the northwest corner of the municipal parking lot on Doug Duncan Drive, there are tennis courts that could be re-purposed into approximately 30 parking spaces with little effort.

Frankly, this location is a dumb place for tennis courts and Newmarket has an abundance of alternative parkland that would be more suitable.  The excessively large parking lot at Ray Twinney Complex would seem to be an ideal location for tennis courts as much of the infrastructure required is already there.

As for Councillor Kerwrin's suggestion of parking at the old Fire Hall?  I think the Town should follow through with its plan to sell this property.  The proceeds of the sale could go towards relocating the tennis courts from Doug Duncan Drive.