Residents will have their say on the future of the green space formerly known as the Candiac golf course.
The city will hold public consultations in the autumn on the possible fate of the previous connections.
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Left in its natural state since it was sold in September 2019, the future of green space has been in limbo.
The over 52 hectares of land are currently owned by a local developer Le Groupe Maison Candiac.
The land was acquired with the intention of being the site of a future residential construction project, but the territory remains under local law for recreational areas.
A group of local citizens, Regroupement des résidents de Candiac (RRC) has urged the city to refrain from changing zoning to residential in the hope of saving natural space.
By opening its doors to citizens on the future of the earth, the mayor of Candiac Normand Dyotte said in a statement that the city never wanted to change the zoning.
Several ideas have been suggested by residents ranging from maintaining the current zoning to a mixed development project.
The creation of a large natural park, open to the public, was the main idea launched by RRC president Yves Couturier.
“I think with the pandemic we realize that these aspects are very important for the physical and mental health of the population,” said Couturier.
“This is a big plus for the city. It is a unique opportunity to be seized for future generations. “
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In an online video, the city said it was open to the plethora of options.
“We would therefore like to continue this discussion in a structured, transparent and serene way, while evaluating all possible options, making sure to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each,” said Dyotte.
Considered the largest green space in the city, Couturier and residents called on the city to protect the site.
Resident for nearly two decades, Ronney Lippinghof was devastated when the golf course ceased operations.
He worries about the decline in property value if land is developed.
“It felt like we had lost a lot of value on the house,” said Lippinghof.
“This space is beautiful, I don’t want any house to develop in front of mine after seeing this (green space) for 14 years.”
Despite scheduled public consultations and a petition against the residential project, George Toporowicz fears that development is inevitable.
“I see this will happen, whatever happens,” said Toporowicz.
“In a couple of years they would have woken up and there would have been trucks and buildings and we don’t want it.”
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Groupe Maison Candiac officials were not available for comment, but said they were in favor of the public consultation process.
“This will allow residents to express what the future holds for this space,” said director general Sylive Simard in a statement.
In the past, the company claimed that the development of the former golf course would be in the interest of the residents.
They say they want to keep much of the natural green space and fight for a scenario of the best of both worlds.
The city says it will release the details on this consultation process later.
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