McConkey petition handed over
By Chris Simon

Heritage preservationists Patti Bentley, Ellen Molloy and Barbara Love handed Innisfil council a petition signed by 1,000 concerned residents last week. The Photo by Chris Simon petition opposes the destruction of the Roderick McConkey homestead. The property is expected to be sold to developers by June.

Barbara Love wants to see her family's former homestead stand pat. The relative of Roderick McConkey says her family's former century homestead is a significant heritage site within the Town of Innisfil. And apparently, about 1,000 other people agree.

Love was among a group of concerned residents who presented Innisfil council with a petition, signed by over 1,000 people, during a meeting last week. The petition had been circulating throughout the town for the last few weeks, and was supported by the Alcona Business Association and several members of the Innisfil Historical Society.

"This building has been a part of my family," she said, following the meeting. "We always came here because this was family land, my children have grown up here, during the summer."

Council is taking its own steps towards the preservation of heritage buildings, said mayor Brian Jackson.

At last week's meeting, council approved a list of 31 historical sites of interest, the first step to placing homes on the province's official heritage registry.

The McConkey homestead is included on that list.

"Trinity have indicated to us, on a couple of occasions, that they are prepared to cooperate," said councillor and Innisfil Heritage Committee member Bill Pring.

The McConkey homestead, a 10-room building situated on a stretch of property near Innisfil Beach Road and the 20th Sideroad intersection, was built about 150 years ago. At the time, the McConkey family was prominent in Innisfil, said heritage preservationist Patti Bentley.

"(We) embrace the heritage of this community while striving for healthy future development," she said.

"I'm confident that I speak for long time residents of Innisfil, many of whom trace their backgrounds to the founding families of Innisfil," she said. "We must express enormous disappointment at the council and heritage committee's disrespect for two historic homes in Alcona.

"A community without an identity is nothing; the McConkey's were founding members of Innisfil, and their descendants have continued to contribute to this community."

The preservationists want council to impose a three month Stay of Execution on the homestead, to allow for adequate time to investigate the historical significance of the building.

Several weeks ago, developers levelled the Ness- Adair century home, which was located across the road from McConkey. The incident lead to fears the McConkey homestead would soon be destroyed.

The McConkey property is expected to be purchased by the Trinity Development Group by June.

Developers have already been issued a demolition permit for the homestead, but have also offered to move the building, free of charge, if a new location was found.

Failing that, heritage preservationists will be allowed into the homestead, to collect any items of historical significance before demolition takes place.

"Trinity has assured the mayor and council that ads will be going in (a local newspaper); they have assured us there will be time, and that there will be access to the house if there was pending demolition for recording purposes," said Jackson.

"We are acting accordingly. There's (still an) opportunity to have ongoing discussion."

Plans for the current property include several hundred thousand square feet of retail space and parking, trees and a manmade pond. Trinity is one of Ontario's largest retail developers, and has helped build the Colossus Centre in Vaughan and the Green Lane Centre in Newmarket.

The site would create 273 permanent and 200 construction jobs and generate $300,000 in annual property taxes.

Bentley says council needs to take a firm stand with the developer, to ensure the building is preserved.

"You are on record as planning to provide responsive government and foster the identity of Innisfil," she said, addressing councillors. "This community is growing rapidly. We recognize that you are trying to honour our roots, but if this (New) Town Hall was constructed with farmhouses in mind, then surely that philosophy should extend beyond the bricks and mortar of this building; surely there should be an honouring of Innisfil's historic homesteads."