from "The Beacon Herald"
by Editorial Staff of The Beacon Herald (Stratford, Ont.)
September 17th 2001

GETTING TO THE HEART OF STRATFORD

This is how things are supposed to work:
A property developer cultivates an idea, determines whether it's feasible, consults with local neighbours to see if it would be welcomed in their backyards, and then politely asks city council for permission to proceed. It doesn't always happen that way, so when it does, it's refreshing. It happened that way Monday night.

That's when Loreena McKennitt unveiled her plans to revitalize the former Falstaff School and transform the key heritage building into a new multi-use community centre.

Preliminary plans for the popular 1929 schoolhouse would see four of the five classroom spaces occupied by permanent tenants, who would offer things like a hands-on science and technology program for children under 12, a literacy program for adults with special needs, an employment assistance agency, and instructional programs like parenting skills and nutritional cooking.

A Snoozelen room would also be included to provide a relaxing environment for those with brain injuries, Alzheimer's or autism using lights, textures and sounds.

The gym would remain open for physical activities, and the former kindergarten room would be available for public activities like recitals, meetings, concerts, drama performances and film presentations. Once the centre is standing on its own two feet, Ms. McKennitt would sell her interest in the building in the hopes of turning it back to the community.

On the face of it, one would be hard-pressed to find fault with such a proposal. It's virtually impossible to argue against the way in which Ms. McKennitt has cultivated her vision for the Falstaff Family Centre. Since purchasing the property last fall, she has wisely sought public input on the best way to breathe life back into the Waterloo Street building. She held a public meeting in the kindergarten room last November to brainstorm possible uses. She struck a local advisory committee in May (from which she kept herself at arm's length) and charged members with providing her recommendations for the building in the form of a business plan. And she met informally with neighbours to ensure the process was as "inclusive and open" as possible.

In short, Ms. McKennitt has done things the right way. That's not to say that everyone in the community will agree with her vision, but they can't argue with the process she's followed so far. In Stratford, it seems, process is everything, and community input is becoming mandatory on all issues of significance.

The Zehrs relocation, 210 Water Street, the Jackson development on James Street, smoking restrictions, bed and breakfast licensing, street widening, tree removals and even cat control regulations are only a few recent examples that illustrate the intense interest Stratford residents have in the future of this community.

Quite rightly, they want a say in how Stratford looks, how it feels, how it smells and how it tastes.

Ms. McKennitt is smart enough to know that, which is why her proposal for the Falstaff Family Centre makes sense.

Her plan, like her building, seems to be built on a fairly solid foundation.