Don't expect to find a box store or an industrial plant any time soon in Callander. The mayor of the picturesque community on the shores of Callander Bay, 15 kilometres from North Bay's downtown, says that type of economic development is not part of the town's way of life.
“We could build an industrial mall or a commercial centre and fight our neighbours for the same thing,” said Hec Lavigne. “We prefer to let them do that since they have the land and infrastructure.”
However, Callander does need commercial development since 96 per cent of the tax base is residential.
With close to 4,000 people, its population has steadily grown over the past few years, mostly due to new subdivisions such as Osprey Links, which includes a golf course. Between 2000 and 2006, the population increased by about 13 per cent.
“We have added 30-plus homes a year over the last few years,” Lavigne said. “I like to think it has to do with creating something special here in town – a place where people want to live with great parks and beaches. It is known outside as a great place to raise a family and to live.”
A recent project, the Billy Barber Complex, includes a wooden roof erected over a space used as an outdoor rink, which is connected to the community centre. The open air facility can now be used 12 months of the year and plans include a farmers' market and more youth programs. It also helps prolong the ice during the winter months.
Improving the quality of life is part of an overall plan that will look at revitalizing the heart of the town. For a small community, spread out along the bay and in a rural area along the south shore of Lake Nipissing, its downtown has a lot to offer.
“What small town do you know where they already have a bank, restaurants, grocery store, a funeral home, real estate office, convenience stores and a variety of shops?” Lavigne said. “We don't have the hustle and bustle of a larger community, but we have an environment that is inviting. You can walk to a park or the lake on your lunchtime. We have it all. There is no reason to go anywhere else.”
Drawing more commercial business, and attracting professional firms like architects and engineers to the downtown, is a goal the town hopes to achieve once its plan is finalized.
The plan is a result of more than a decade-long fight with the federal government over the state of the downtown dock the community had to take over.
“The dock is a long-time issue for us,” the mayor said. “It goes back to 1998 when the federal government delivered it to us in a state of disrepair and we have been arguing and fighting with them ever since.”
In the spring of 2009, due to high water and winds, the dock was damaged even more and has since been closed.
“It's a $2 million fix so instead of giving us the money to fix it, we got the opportunity to develop a downtown and waterfront revitalization plan. We had to create a plan around the repair of the dock that would show the economic benefit and the employment opportunities,” Lavigne said.
The plan connects the lake with the rest of the community, which is currently evident by the lakeside parks and beaches found in close proximity to the downtown.
“It's a significant project and one that will be around for a long time,” he said. “It is something that will have to be phased in but council is very excited about this.”
By focusing on the type of business the town would like to see in its downtown, Lavigne said the community can offer reasonable taxes and an inviting environment for those wanting to set up there.
Council is also considering using land, located about 500 metres from the lakefront, to develop moderate-priced housing.
“Public works is there now and that can easily be moved to a more rural area. So we own that land and there is significant acreage and we are looking for a developer to partner with who can provide us with housing that is isn't high end and expensive,” he said. “Our goal is to do that with the least cost to the municipality.”
Lavigne said he doesn't know what Callander will look like 25 years from now, but he does hope that the plan to reshape it will still result in a great place to live and work.
“Callander has some great opportunities for years to come,” he said. “We want it to have a purpose and to remain inviting.”
