Concerns about the future of Laurentian University's greenspace
The greenspace surrounding Laurentian University has long been a space where Sudburians hike, swim, ski, learn, and connect to nature and family.
But many people are concerned that the university's insolvency could put it at risk, as the school reviews its assets to pay off creditors.
On Thursday morning, more than 50 people took part in a walking exploration of the space to learn more about why it needs to be protected.
Peter Beckett, a restoration ecologist, was a guide on the walk.
Beckett said the LU greenspace is key to the community's well-being and could become the High Park or Central Park of Sudbury in years to come.
"These days, as we know during COVID, the importance of nature and being outside is very important to mental health to physical health," he said.
"And also over the years, this area has been much improved by the regreening program and so in … another 50 years, this is going to be a very lush green forest."
Sheilah Arena was also a guide on the walk, and is an avid trail user and volunteer.
"Thousands and thousands of hours of volunteer work and a lot of money has gone into making these trails what they are -- safe," said Arena.
Residents, environmentalists and Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West walked the trails and said no price tag can be put on the value to keeping the greenspace accessible to the public.
"With the insolvency, we could lose some or all of this," said West. "And that may affect the pollution levels, that may affect quality of life and the other infrastructure here."
"I think it's important to help spread the word and raise the awareness about how important this is to many people in the community," he added.
Members of the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury also took part.
"Sudbury has been amazing, showing up, writing letters to the editor, sending letters to the real estate company and the board of governors and to the city and we want to keep that momentum going," said Sharon Roy, co-chair of Coalition For a Liveable Sudbury.
The Coalition is urging people who want to protect the greenspace to join its call to action to keep the lands public.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.