To buy or not to buy? Sudbury's mayoral candidates weigh in on potential sale of LU green space

As Laurentian University takes the final steps of exiting insolvency, Sudbury community members are hoping a 231-hectare green space doesn't fall into the hands of developers.

In May, the university's administration says the Ministry of Colleges and Universities offered to purchase $53.5 million worth of Laurentian-owned land or buildings, which could include the Bell Mansion, Living With Lakes Centre and the network of lush green trails surrounding campus.

Now, some are calling for the city to make an offer on the green space – known as the "Laurentian trails" – fearing the province might acquire the land and then put it on the market.

Chris Gore, a volunteer with the Laurentian Nordic Ski Club, said it would be "devastating" if the lands were somehow turned over to a private developer. 

"I've been here almost 40 years,and I've been walking and running and skiing on these trails since then," Gore said. "It's one of the reasons why Sudbury is such a unique place to live."

"We're a city of 300 lakes, but this area is a particularly important part of that natural space and it must be protected."

"You can't put a can't put a dollar value on what a green space is worth."

Naomi Grant, a spokesperson with community group Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury, said she started fielding phone calls when news trickled out that the school would be selling off some assets to the province. 

"We're getting near the end of the CCAA process, and there's kind of three options, possibilities we see that could happen," she said. "[The green space] could stay with the university, it could be purchased by the province or it could be acquired by the city and perhaps the Conservation Authority."

"The last option of course, would be the one we would be happiest with."

But selling the green space or the pool aren't necessarily the assets that will bring in the most revenue to balance the ledger sheet.

Jeff Bangs, chair of Laurentian's Board of Governors, said the school recognizes the importance of the green space and will look at all options to protect it, including working with the city on a solution.

"It's fair to say that there are many options other than the green space, and those are going to be looked at first," Bangs said.

Candidate Miranda Rocca-Circelli is one of Sudbury's mayoral candidates who has publicly stated their support to protect the land, making the land's preservation a point in her campaign platform.