The Hollinger mine will likely become a natural park once mining operations are done. Over 60 people showed up the the Hollinger open house last night at the McIntyre Arenca to voice their opinion on what they want to see post-operations.
Ward 3 Councillor Noella Rinaldo says sustainability has really been the only concern among the community. She says the advisory committee is looking at plants that are low-maintenance and indigenous to that area.
Mine General Manager Mark Lauzier says the idea is to create a park that will take care of itself and design something that doesn’t need money thrown at it on a yearly basis. He says that’s the way it was originally and Rinaldo added that the city can’t afford to have manicured lawns for an area that big.
Instead, she says it will resemble Hershey lake with a trail network and natural growth.
Lauzier says an extensive trail system will be built over the next five to eight years while operations are ongoing. He estimates the trail network to be about three to four times the size of the Gilles trail system.
Lauzier says the goal is to create a legacy project and leave the community with something that they’re proud of.