Who would have thought that Laurentian University, having been gifted the Belrock mansion for use as an affiliated museum and art gallery for the token sum of $1, would later sell the historical building to help pay off bankruptcy debt?
You might have thought that this property would have been excluded for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the significance of the facility to the community and the acknowledgement of the considerable amount of effort and money invested in the restoration of the building and grounds by citizens and organizations, including the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, which recognized the cultural and historical and potential value as a tourist attraction.
It can only be hoped that sober second thought will prevail and the university will petition the bankruptcy authority to reconsider the decision to sell and at least postpone the sale until such time as it can be evaluated and more favourable arrangements can be decided upon that will keep the building and grounds in public or responsible private ownership for the benefit of future generations, ideally as a museum and cultural centre, its intended use.
John Lindsay
Former president of the Sudbury Arts Council
Current member Sudbury Chamber of Commerce