Slokker land deal in Nobleton close to reality
By Bill Rea

It's taken almost three years, but it looks like the deal to purchase some 170 Nobleton area acres from Slokker Canada is very close to being finalized.

York Regional council Thursday authorized the contribution of $1 million toward the acquisition of the property; an increase from its initial pledge of $750,000, which was approved in 2004. The contribution is contingent upon the Region managing a 95-acres tableland of the overall property as part of the York Regional Forest.

This site is part of Slokker's holdings in the village. Slokker is proposing a 698-unit subdivision on the rest of its lands in the northeast quadrant of Nobleton. That plan received the blessing of the Ontario Municipal Board in February.

"We have the money to buy the land, and they're right now finalizing the deal," Mayor Margaret Black declared the following day.

She added this is a demonstration of the Region's commitment to environmental protection.

"Restoring the site to its original state will help to maintain an enduring natural legacy for both Nobleton and King Township," she observed.

"It was a huge job to get the whole amount," Black commented. "We ran into several roadblocks."

She said she had started talking with Regional Chair Bill Fisch in December about the possibility of getting more money out of York. It was confirmed in the spring that $1 million would be coming from the City of Toronto, and Black said that helped clinch the additional contribution from

the Region, as well as pressing home the fact that no one wanted to see this opportunity get passed up.

"I got a call from the mayor's office, saying the Region has increased the donation," commented Slokker president Bruce Kerr Monday. "The city of Toronto is in, and I'm in."

"It's for the right reason," he added. "This endeavour's been a long time coming, but it sounds like everyone's at the table."

There is talk having the deal closed sometime next month, Kerr said.

"From everything I hear, it's absolutely a go," he declared. "We're thrilled to be a catalyst and and a participant."

"Acquiring the Slokker property through our Greening Securement Strategy is a great opportunity for York Region to rehabilitate and protect environmentally-significant land on the Oak Ridges Moraine," Fisch commented. "I am very pleased that together with our partners, we have combined our resources to secure this property and enhance York Region's Greening legacy."

The purchase was arranged by the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust (ORMLT) and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in 2003, contingent upon their ability to raise $2.85 million for the sale, stewardship of the property and associated costs of the transaction.

York originally authorized $750,000 for the purchase, but increased its commitment to $1 million when some anticipated funding did not come through. The funding partnership also includes the City of Toronto; Slokker, which reduced the price by $760,000; King Township ($25,000); the Foundation of Greater Toronto ($37,000); ORMLT ($25,000) and private donations amounting to about $3,000.

"The acquisition of such an important property on the Oak Ridges Moraine has been identified as a very

high priority for York Region," said Regional Councillor Bill O'Donnell of Markham, chair of the transportation and works committee of regional council. "With the success of this purchase, this key aspect of our natural heritage will be protected for benefit of our generation and generations to come."

TRCA will assume ownership of the property, ensuring its protection from development.

The Region will aid in the rehabilitation of the property to help restore it to its natural state.

"A great deal of time and effort went into securing the necessary funds," Black commented. "In particular, as a member of the fundraising committee, I would like to thank Don Prince for spearheading this initiative. Thanks must also be extended to Toronto Region Conservation Authority staff Brian Denney, Jim Diliane, Ron Dewell, Mike Fenning; Toronto Councillor Glenn De Baermaeker; York Regional Chair Bill Fisch; Regional CAO Mike Garrett. staff members Brian Tuckey, Ian Buchanan and Sandra Malcie; Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust officials Andre Flys, Frank Shaw and Bill Salmon for their work over the past few years."