With concerns mounting over the future of the Bangor Lodge property in Bracebridge, a meeting was held to clear the air and discuss the site.

Directors of the Bangor Ratepayers’ Association, Bracebridge mayor Don Coates and Rick Kojfman, representing the property owners, sat down to promote the exchange of information regarding future plans.

“There has been a great deal of speculation regarding plans for the property and we thought we could help clarify current status of the property by bringing the ratepayers’ association and the property owner together,” said Coates. “This is a very important parcel of property within the town of Bracebridge and I’m sure this will be the first of a series of meetings.”

Although the property owners have not submitted any proposals for the redevelopment of the property, the meeting was organized and hosted by the town. The goal was to ensure local property owners and the Bangor Lodge owners were sharing information and concerns and that they were building connections to keep lines of communication open in the future.

Coates indicated that the he felt there was a spirit of co-operation developed through the meeting, with all parties agreeing on the importance of creating a project that works harmoniously with the community and the environment.

“We had a frank and open discussion voicing the various concerns that have been raised by our members and understanding the concerns of the developer,” said John Mercer, president of the Bangor Ratepayers’ Association. “We found that there was agreement, in principle, on a number of issues including property access, protection of the environment on the property and in the area, and the respect for the property rights of all.”

The representative of the new owners of the property, Kojfman said he was happy to have commenced dialogue with regard to the future development of the site with the neighbouring residents.