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FOCUS. JAN.07.92pqsindd 10 What or, what could have been What if.. Those two tite words conjure up many interesting scenarios when linked to the commercial and residential development within Port Per- ry and Scugog Township over the past 35 years. So now, with the reality of a massive development at the west entrance to Port Perry an almost certainty, we thought it would be interesting to look back on the current proposal and a number of others - some of which materialized and others which faded away like the paper on which they were conceived. Long before SmartCentres announced their intention to construct a large WalMart and additional stores along the town entrance, our township fathers were faced with similar proposals which have had a profound effect on the way our town looks today. It was almost 35 years ago, in June 1972, that developer Tony Ce- saroni unveiled his plans for what he described as a “large, exciting project for the lakefront. e development, which was to be constructed near the present boat launch would have featured a 40 room hotel, apartment building, shopping plaza, marina, tennis court, swimming pool, etc. In addition it was designed to provide a new boat launch and slips. Above is the 1972 Cesaroni development plan for the ay ‘near the boat launch, and below the Leewind condomiums as they looked in 1988. 10 FOCUS - JANUARY 2008 This project got as far as having hundreds of 30’ piles driven into the ground before being scuttled. Years later the Leewind Condominiums were constructed on the same land slated for the marina project. That same year, the town welcomed both the opening of Ken Jack- son’s new Flamingo Pastries Limited plant on Simcoe Street, and the announcement of a new 30-unit Senior Citizens building for the corner of Kellet and Bigelow St. In the ensuing years Port Perry saw the opening of the new Cana- dian Imperial Bank of Commerce on Queen St. (1980) and a 12,000 sq. ft. expansion of Port Perry Plaza the following year. In 1981, after a long battle over the location, construction of a new Scugog War Memorial Library moved forward when the Board decided unanimously to award the building contract to Sherwood Construction of Oshawa. And despite the wishes of many residents living in the vicinity of Carnegie St., Borelia Co-operative, this subsidized housing develop- ment got the green light to proceed in 1984. But not all projects brought before our council met with approval or had the expertise and money to move them forward. In 1986 plans for a small commercial plaza on Simcoe St, just north of the Reach Rd. (Durham Rd. #8) intersection was rejected by Scu- gog Tc ship il, who wanted to keep ventures in the town core. Ironically, a commercial) ——_- plaza was recently approved about Massive $25 million one block away from this proposal, at the corner of Durham Rd. #8 and proposal included Old Simcoe Rd., last year. And yes, a 50,000 sq. ft. we do have another Tim Horton’s . + coffee shop in town! indoor shopping mall It wasn’t until October 1987 that council was once again faced with another massive development proj- ect, one that would have had a profound change on the way the south- ern shore of Lake Scugog’s waterfront looks tot The large $25 million commercial/1 residential development would have included a 50,000 sq. ft. enclosed shopping mall with a restaurant. In addition, the property would house 90 condominiums in four build- ings along the lakefront, and a 100-unit apartment building for seniors looking across Lake Scugog. See plan at top of page. The “Conway Development,” as it became known, was proposed by Port Perry resident and developer Hans Moehring, and would have been located on the north side of Highway 7A, where Reid’s Indepen- dent store is now located, along the southern shore of Lake Scugog. Despite proceeding with the first stages of the development, a sea- wall boarding the lakefront in front of the property and the twinning of the sewer line from the pump house behind Latcham Centre to the property line... this development failed. Please turn to page 19 focus@observerpub.ca 1007 eser0an |