LAURIE WEIR

Smiths Falls council will establish a working group to collaborate with Montague Township over the future of the Gallipeau Centre property, a former institutional site with significant redevelopment potential. 

In recent discussions, town officials have emphasized the importance of working with Montague Township to address the property’s potential. While no immediate development is planned, Smiths Falls has recognized the need for continued dialogue to prepare for future opportunities. “We need to be ready for when the right proposal comes forward,” said CAO Malcolm Morris.

One of the key challenges facing the town is the heritage easement placed on the property by the Ontario Heritage Trust in 2011. This easement restricts significant renovations or new construction, making it difficult for developers to pursue large-scale projects. However, Smiths Falls cannot directly remove the easement; instead, the town must petition the province for a heritage designation, which would allow for more flexible development options. As part of this process, the town must await approval from the provincial government before proceeding with any changes.

The Smiths Falls Municipal Heritage Committee would also like a say as to what parts of the property should be saved. Coun. Dawn Quinn, who sits on the MHC, said it was important that the MHC’s voice is heard during these discussions. 

During the town’s committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 14, Morris highlighted the need for a detailed financial impact study, which would inform the town’s negotiations with Montague Township and any future development proposals. “It’s important to understand the full financial picture before moving forward,” he explained. To assist with this, the town has engaged Hemson Consulting, who have a strong understanding of Smiths Falls’ finances and past development projects.

Council will appoint a team, including the mayor, two council members, and Morris, to engage in discussions with Montague Township. There was much enthusiasm around the horseshoe from councillors who would like a seat at this committee. 

A boundary adjustment agreement between the two municipalities was established in 2009 when the OPP East Region headquarters was built. The land chosen by the province was situated in Montague Township and a boundary was redrawn to place the former Rideau Regional Centre (Gallipeau Centre) within the town’s boundaries. The revenue-sharing agreement states that the town will pay the township an amount equal to 50 per cent of the annual taxes generated from the property, no less than $50,000 annually.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, plans had begun for a multi-use community that would see as many as 1,800 residential units built on 140-hectares of property. COVID-19 sidelined plans.