An 'incredible site': City resumes plans to redevelop Byron gravel pits
Nature trails, park land, how about an event venue? They’re all among the ideas being considered for the future of the Byron gravel pits in west London.
“We were talking about an amphitheatre,” said neighbour Cheryl Morrison. “A great thing to get people together. Use it for entertainment, for theatre, whatever they would like.”
London city hall is narrowing down possible uses for one of the most unique pieces of land in the city, which is now being rehabilitated.
Neighbour John Fragis said he’d like to see a space created where people can come together as a community.
“The city and developer can get together and build a component where people can get together, like Springbank Park,” suggested Fragis.
The 76 hectares of land with rolling hills, steep slopes and a pond was used as a gravel pit for 75 years, but has recently been decommissioned.
“If there is development there, and I’m sure there will be, they should consider nature first,” said neighbour Tony Parisio.
The unique property is owned by a number of parties, including the city and private developers.
The future of the Byron gravel pits is being discussed by the City of London. (Bryan Bicknell/CTV News London)A report headed to a city council committee outlines possible future uses. These include passive recreation and nature appreciation, active recreation- including multi-use trails, or an event venue such as an amphitheatre.
London’s manager of planning and development, Bruce Page, described the site as “incredible.” He added, “The topography that’s there, the pond that’s there from the excavation is quite spectacular. It would be a shame to lose that. And I think it’s something that I don’t think any other municipality in Ontario or Canada would have.”
One thing the city staff report does not get into is the wildlife in the area. The Byron gravel pit has one of the largest colonies in Ontario of a protected bird species.
In 2020 a Western University migratory bird researcher estimated about 2,000 bank swallows breeding at the site. Now Brendon Samuels is hoping any future development plans include preservation.
“An area surrounding the densest part of the colony in the southern portion of the Byron gravel pit could be earmarked for conservation,” said Samuels. “An area could have a perimeter fence put around it and could actually be a destination for eco-tourism where people could come from all over to see one of the largest inland sites of breeding habitat for this rare bird.”
Page called it a “challenging situation,” but said they are working to address concerns about this rare bird habitat. “There are some considerations in terms of trying to preserve, or in the future trying to create a habitat for the bank swallows,” he said.
In the meantime, Page said the city will seek further public input on the future of the site, with a proposed option decided on next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.