Metrolinx rules out Guelph's Margaret Greene Park for power substation

Metrolinx says it has ruled out using Margaret Greene Park in Guelph for a traction power substation that would be needed to electrify part of the GO line between Georgetown and Kitchener.

Scott Money, a senior advisor for media relations and issues for Metrolinx, says there was a combination of reasons the transit authority decided against the park.

Part of that was issues Hydro One had with the location, but he says they also heard a lot of community feedback. Many in the neighbourhood expressed concerns over the substation going in the area.

"After hearing about from the community and also the technical feasibility limitations from a Hydro One standpoint, it wasn't deemed suitable," Money said in an interview.

Crenda King, a board member for the West Willow Village neighbourhood group, said last August that Metrolinx had an area of the park listed as vacant land, "which is so not true. It's not vacant. It's a park. There's a trail."

On Thursday, she said she was pleased to hear the community's concerns were heard.

"We're thankful that our green space is being preserved," she said. 

She said the substation would have impacted the neighbourhood's connectivity to services, like grocery stores and a community centre.

"Some of the community that we represent is a marganlized community ... a lot of them didn't even have the awareness that the proposal was there and what it meant to the community," she said. "To know that our voice was heard, it's a win. It's a big win."

In a statement, Ward 4 Coun. Christine Billings called the pushback against using the park for the power station "a united effort."

"This is truly a win for the neighbourhood," Billings said.

Work continues on two-way, all-day GO

Metrolinx said staff had looked at nine different sites in Guelph, but "some were not large enough, some are slated for future development, and some are being set aside for future highway plans."

"Metrolinx has spent the last few months exploring every possible alternative site where this infrastructure could go and, unfortunately, we have been unable to identify a suitable site that meets our technical requirements with minimal impacts to communities," the post said.

The transit authority says work continues to prepare the line for electrification and as part of that, "the community/stakeholder feedback received to date will be used to inform the design and impact assessment of electrification."

In the meantime, Money notes that work to bring two-way, all-day GO service to the Kitchener line continues.

"We hear you, we've heard you, and we're going to keep working together with you. And all the while, in the meantime, all-day, two-way GO plows forward, full steam ahead," he said.