Westboro gets cash for parkland in convent deal

Ottawa city council has approved a deal for the Ashcroft Convent in the Westboro neighbourhood that would see Kitchissippi ward receive cash from the developer to spend on parkland.

Ashcroft Homes wants to renovate the 135-year-old Sisters of the Visitation convent on Richmond Road, near Island Park Drive, and build several new buildings including two condominium towers and a residence for seniors on the land.

City council had mulled a plan to buy parkland from Ashcroft Homes and turn it over to the community in an effort to retain green space in the area. But the plan would have meant a local levy of $97 a year for 10 years for residents.

Instead, the developer will pay about $1 million in lieu of parkland, which the city will then invest in greenspace elsewhere in the ward.