Grotto decision done - for real this time

After almost two years of intense debates from not only councillors, but various locals on both sides of the issue, the grotto project has finally been resolved.

After almost two years of intense debates from not only councillors, but various locals on both sides of the issue, the grotto project has finally been resolved.

City council voted 12-1 in favour of a motion put forth by Ward 1 Councillor Steve Butland - seconded by his wardmate Paul Christian - which resolved that council not approve the proposed grotto development at Bellevue Park.

"This is a beautiful gift that Mr. (Frank) Sarlo brought to our community. I personally want to thank all the individuals involved for bringing this gift to the city," said Mayor Debbie Amaroso.

"Bellevue Park belongs to every citizen of this community and what has clearly been stated is there needs to be neutrality when it comes to public land.”

Nuala Kenny, City Solicitor, echoed the previously released report from the legal department at City Hall and prior to their vote reminded councilors that a public park should have no religious aspect to it.

"As Canadian citizens you do have the right to practice your faith without interference, but you also have the right not to practice any faith. This is a public park so designating it to have any sort of religious overtone will be problematic in the face of the Charter," Kenny said.

Ward 4 Councillor Lou Turco pressed Kenny and questioned if council even had jurisdiction on the grotto project.

She said they did, but cautioned they could be contradicting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by allowing the grotto to be built on public land.

"As your legal counsel I would caution you that in the face of the charter to designate a public park for religious purposes is contrary to the constitution of Canada," she said.

Ward 5 Councillor Frank Fata was the lone member of council to vote against the motion to not approve the grotto, but attempted not to do so.

Fata vented his frustration with many of his fellow members of council going back on their initial approval of the grotto and asked to abstain from a vote in an effort to move on from the issue.

Mayor Amaroso then informed Fata abstention is considered a vote in the negative.

"Council is saying ‘oops’. They are saying ‘oops Mr. Sarlo, I guess we made a mistake’. I think our constituents expect us to be consistent," Fata said.

Fata went on to say he feels it's the role of councilors to make the city a destination for outsiders and felt the grotto would help do so.

Included in the 117 page information package presented to council regarding the grotto was a section on faith based tourism.

Proponents of the grotto felt it would prove to be an attraction and thought it might serve as a catalyst for other historic faith based sites like the lighted cross on St. George's Hill and Precious Blood Cathedral.

The city, however, was unsure how large a draw the grotto would be.

"Certainly there is a very active type of tourism related to religious monuments throughout North America," said Tom Dodds, CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.

"Whether this particular facility would attract a significant amount of tourism, I simply don't know.”

When explaining their votes, most councilors acknowledged the fact such a large portion of the local population was against the grotto factored in their decision.

A poll done by the Sault Ratepayers Association found 84.6 percent (852 people) were against erecting the grotto in Bellevue Park.

73 percent of those opposed said their reasoning was they didn't think a public park was the right location.

76 percent saw the grotto as a religious symbol and 55 percent would like to see it built somewhere else in the community.

1,017 people participated in the survey – which was included in the package given to council.

Also included were 61 emails and letters regarding the issue, with only a handful in support of the grotto.

"Most residents I've spoken to have no objection to the grotto, but they certainly don't want it on city land," said Marchy Bruni, Ward 5 Councillor.

"I believe if we say yes to this proposal it would mark the end of Bellevue Park as we know it and more importantly it's very clear to me the divisiveness and polarization over religious beliefs in this community would continue," added Rick Niro, Ward 4 councillor.

Butland admitted frustration with the entire process and feels it was a case in how not to deal with an issue.

Bruni agreed and expressed his hopes for council to use this as a learning experience.

"We can all learn from this," said Bruni. "It can help us make council a smoother process for all individuals who bring good ideas to City Hall."