Industrial Park, green space go side-by-side at Upton Farm
Last Updated: Friday, June 19, 2009 | 7:04 PM AT
CBC News
The Upton Farm Preservation Network settled on a compromise to keep more than half the land as green space. (CBC) A new BioCommons industrial park, a long-term care facility, and a large protected area are all part of the provincial government's plan for 110 hectares of green space in the north of Charlottetown.
The property, known as Upton Farm, is currently held by Canada Lands. There have been several development proposals for the land that have encountered opposition from a local group that wants to keep it green. Premier Robert Ghiz praised that group for agreeing to his government's plans.
"I want to thank the Upton Farm Preservation Network for their compromise, for their understanding, in knowing that you can't just ask for everything. You have to compromise along the way," Ghiz said.
"They were very instrumental in making sure that today's announcement was possible."
The plan sets aside 60 hectares of the site that will be governed by a public trust, which will have equal representation from government and the Upton farm Preservation Network.
Piece of development strategy
The land is situated on the North River. (CBC) The announcement also included a key part of Ghiz's economic development plan, the BioCommons industrial park, which is intended to be a centre for bioscience research and development, manufacturing and support services.
"We believe it's important to preserve the land but also look for opportunities for sustainable development as well," Ghiz said.
The building will be 60,000 square feet and will include lab and office space for new and established companies, as well as a boardroom, meeting areas and a cafeteria.
The BioCommons will go on 26 hectares of land across from the West Royalty Industrial Park. Initial site servicing work is expected to begin this fall, with construction scheduled to begin in the spring. The BioCommons will officially open in the fall of 2011.
The final aspect of the plan announced Friday is a new provincial long-term care facility, to go on six hectares of land on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Ghiz noted the green space to be protected is more than three times the size of Victoria Park, which is currently Charlottetown's largest park.
