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Future of North BayNorth Bay's waterfront has been occupied by industry and the railroad since its inception in 1882.
The waterfront including Marathon Beach and Government Dock had been accessible to the citizens of the community but in a limited fashion until 1980.
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Fishing from C.P.R (Government) Dock1900
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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C.P.R. Shop1988
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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To that point Memorial Drive and Marathon Beach existed but the downtown and waterfront were separated by the C.P. yards and tracks. This would remain the same for a number of years however the waterfront would experience a revitalization in the early 1980's.5
North Bay Nugget cover November 15, 198615 November 1986
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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In the 1980's community members began a campaign to beautify the community's waterfront that had been occupied by industrial and rail properties.Led by the North Bay Chamber of Commerce and concerned citizens; a clean-up of the Marathon Beach area began in 1982.
By early 1984 an agreement between Marathon Realty (part of C.P.) and the City was complete with the community purchasing the property for $316,000.
Many development plans were proposed and in the end the waterfront included a marina, expansion of Memorial Drive, additional parking, waterfront walkway and public beaches.
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C.P.R. Shop1988
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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In the early 1990's the C.P.R. decided to close the yards at North Bay. This decision ended with the destruction of the buildings of the property and the eventual sale of the property to the City in 2003.The decision of what to do with the lands has been much debated and is now the focus of a new organization, Community Waterfront Friends.
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C.P.R. Shop1988
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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C.P.R. Yards1988
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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After much debate about the future of the waterfront and C.P. rail lands a groups of individuals were brought together in January of 2000.Hariett Madigan brought together 24 North Bay volunteer and business organizations who were concerned about the direction the city seemed to be taking in regards to the rail lands and waterfront. At that meeting, 7 people were chosen to form a core group and to report back to the larger group. Hariett Madigan, Rod Johnston, Ed Driedger, Michael Puccini, Jean Larocque, Sue Miller and Ruth Elder were the original 7. John D'Agostino was later added to the group, as well as Debbie McMullen.
This group met several times to determine a vision that was reasonable, do-able, and sustainable environmentally, socially, and economically. A rough set of drawings was made, about 40 elements were included, and a presentation was developed.
The first presentation was made to the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of North Bay and Jamie Houston, manager of Parks for the city. Based on that presentation, it was suggested that changes be made, and then it should be presented to the Rail Lands Advisory Committee, but no date was set.
A further 30 presentations were made to a variety of interested clubs and groups around North Bay. The Vision was continually modified and changed as questions were raised, and suggestions made. The City administration felt it was too biased towards being parkland, and not enough towards development, so several meetings were held with them, and modifications were made to the Vision so that all parties were satisfied. Community Waterfront Friends (North Bay) was incorporated as a non-profit corporation.
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C.P. Station2002
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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By this time, the Vision was well modified, and was made up of many different pieces of paper and tape. It was then presented to the Rail Lands Advisory Committee about a year after the first presentation, with a rough business plan. They suggested that council adopt the Vision as the way to develop the waterfront and rail lands. This was done in August of 2001. At the same time, a lease was worked out jointly with CWF and the North Bay Area Museum to take over the abandoned CP Station.14
Community Waterfront Friends Vision2002
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
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