Lively Citizens Group Unveils Urgent Recreation Plans for $4M Fund

URGENT UPDATE: A citizens group in the Lively area of Greater Sudbury has just revealed ambitious plans to revitalize local recreation, following the controversial sale of Meatbird Lake Park for $4 million to mining company Vale four years ago. The community is rallying for immediate action to transform the area into a year-round recreational hub.

On Wednesday, the Lively Recreation Advisory Panel presented its vision, which includes a play pond, a public sauna, a performance stage, and food truck hookups. This proposal comes after Vale’s acquisition of the popular summer destination, which has left community members seeking alternatives for outdoor activities.

Richard Eberhardt, a key member of the panel, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “What we need to do is make something great,” he stated. “We had something great. We need to make something great again.” The panel has been collaborating with the city to determine the best use of the funds, which have remained untouched in a bank account.

The proposed location for this new facility is on city-owned property at the Anderson Farm Museum. However, this plan faces opposition from some members of the museum’s heritage society, who argue that many community organizations, including the popular Walden Winter Carnival, rely on the farm for events.

Eberhardt reassured residents that the advisory panel engaged with community members to gather input before finalizing their proposal. “We respect that people sometimes don’t like to change and don’t like things to be any different,” he acknowledged. “But we’re stuck. We didn’t want Meatbird Park to be sold off, but here we are. We need to do something new.”

The $4 million fund is expected to cover most of the project costs, but additional funding from government sources or fundraising efforts will be necessary. Eberhardt stressed the importance of community support, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s got to start from the people in the former Town of Walden, Lively, to tell the rest of the city we want this and it might cost a little money. We need to get behind the project and support it strongly in order to make this happen.”

The final decision on how to allocate the funds will be made by the Greater Sudbury city council at an upcoming meeting. As residents await this critical decision, the call for community engagement and support grows louder. This project represents not just a chance for recreation, but a vital opportunity for revitalizing community spirit in Lively.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.