By Cecilia Nasmith
If you know your CanRock, seeing a street sign that says Neil Peart Lane will surely bring a smile.
You can expect to have that experience, following Brighton council approval of a request by developer (and former mayor) Mark Walas.
Neil Peart Lane will be the address of the four duplexes that will create eight new rental units. The $2.5-million project, to be located in the area of 74 Young St., should be ready for occupancy by late October.
Walas spoke of the legendary drummer's achievements – not just with Rush but also with his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his being honoured with the Order of Canada.
Along with the triumphs, there was tragedy. In 1997, his daughter Selena was killed in an accident on Highway 401 west of Brighton. When Peart lost his wife shortly thereafter, he took a sabbatical from the band to travel throughout North America by motorcycle and write a book about the experience in 2002 – Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road.
The devastating motor vehicle accident, as far as Mayor Brian Ostrander knows, is the musician's only connection with this community.
“What we do in Brighton is take the advice of the developers who are putting these things together, and they offer names to the municipality for the laneways or driveways or roadways in their development. We simply say yes or no,” Ostrander explained.
There's usually no reason to say no, once they review these suggestions for names that duplicate or sound too similar to names of laneways or driveways or roadways that already exist – they wouldn't approve a Smyth Street, for example, if there were already a Smith Street.
Ostrander was pleased to support Walas's suggestion for Neil Peart Lane.
“Neil and Rush are iconic in the Canadian diaspora, so it's a good way to sort of remember someone who raised Canadian music up above the mark,” he commented.
And he's heard nothing but positive feedback.
“I am sure there's a demographic in our community who have no idea who Neil is. But so far, comments I have seen have all been very positive.”
And more rental housing is a timely addition to the community, Ostrander added.
“We certainly need this kind of affordable living in the community, We all know where the real-estate market is going – it has exploded, really. I don't know if that is sustainable over time, but right now it makes things difficult if you are looking for a place.”
