The severely under-capacity Brookside Youth Centre sits on underutilized land that could potentially be an asset to the Cobourg community.
Working towards this aim is the notice of motion Councillor Nicole Beatty brought forward at council's committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday.
The imposing heritage structure that was built as an estate in the 19th century was repurposed decades ago to provide youth services. Additional dormitories were built on the grounds and high fences went up in the 1980s when it became a detention facility under the province's Young Offenders Act.
In recent years, occupancy has fallen to a handful of residents and – as stated in Beatty's motion – taxpayers have been enquiring about the facility's future.
To be more specific, she said, not a week goes by that she doesn't get such a query.
The motion reiterates the town's commitment to People and Places as two of its strategic pillars to help build a vibrant, accessible and inclusive community – and to identifying lands to support such priorities.
It calls for the province to provide an update to council on the centre's status, “including options for initiating the disposition of the buildings and/or lands in which the centre occupies.”
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin expressed her support, saying she also gets enquiries on a regular basis. Not only that, she said, but – given its classification under the tax code – Cobourg only gets about $4,000 a year in taxes from Brookside.
“I did mention to (MPP David) Piccini it would be good to tour the facility,” Seguin said.
“A year or so ago, I think MPP Todd Smith (Minister of Children, Community and Social Services) did tour the facility with Mr. Piccini, and they were actually surprised at what they found. I have been in correspondence with him since your notice of motion was posted.
“I am disappointed they didn't take the initiative on their own, but these wheels do run slowly,” the deputy mayor added.
“This community needs some answers to what is going on there, and how it could be better utilized for our town.”
The motion calls for Smith, Piccini and Northumberland County council to get copies of the resolution. Mayor John Henderson also suggested copies should go to Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Clark and Premier Doug Ford.