Minister promises transparency on future of Borden-Carleton fabrication yard

P.E.I.'s economic development minister says the fate of the former Confederation Bridge fabrication yard will be determined through a transparent process.

But in question period Friday, Gilles Arsenault declined to share details from a consultant's report about possible uses for the site.

The minister faced questions in the provincial legislature on Friday about the potential development of the vacant site, which has sat dormant since the bridge connecting the Island to New Brunswick opened in 1997. The property is owned by Innovation P.E.I., a government agency.

The Green Party's Matt MacFarlane, MLA for Borden-Kinkora, asked Arsenault when his government planned to issue a request for proposals (RFP) to re-develop the property.

MacFarlane said he's concerned that local residents aren't being heard in the process.

Arsenault responded that the Town of Borden-Carleton asked to extend the deadline for issuing an RFP for the site, with the municipality saying it hoped to amend its bylaws to allow the development. 

"We don't want to jump the gun and take a step in moving forward," the minister said. "We want to give the town of Borden-Carleton the opportunity to come forward and give us options to consider."

The government issued an expression of interest for the yard's development in 2021.

After question period Friday, Arsenault added that the consulting firm SableARC prepared a report suggesting potential developments for the former fabrication yard.

He said Borden-Carleton's council received that report, so it would be "irresponsible" of him to say anything about what it contains while it's in the local councillors' hands. 

MacFarlane called on the province to hold public consultations with residents of Borden-Carleton to hear what they hope to see happen on the land. 

"I would relish the opportunity for government to organize up a meeting for residents of the community," he said, "in order to hear full feedback on what the community wants.

"Until we have a meaningful conversation with government … it's hard to know exactly what's on the table right now, which is why we need a little bit of transparency on the project." 

Some residents want a new golf course

Building a new golf course could be among the options for the site. Last fall, local developer Kris Taylor proposed the land be developed into a gold course, to be called Abegweit Links.

That idea or others for the site can't be officially proposed, however, because Innovation P.E.I. has not yet published an RFP.

Taylor told CBC News in February he had no communication with Innovation P.E.I., nor the town, about his pitch for the provincially owned land.

He said if approved, his proposal wouldn't cost any public money, because Taylor has the funds to buy the property from Innovation P.E.I.

Some town residents expressed optimism about a golf course when they heard the idea in September.  

'No decisions have been made'

MacFarlane said he's been told some work had already begun on the property, including reports of a well being dug, potentially to be used for aquaculture.

The Green MLA asked Arsenault during question period Friday if that activity at the site meant the province had already made up its mind on how to re-develop the property. 

"We will consider all options and we've been transparent throughout the whole process," Arsenault replied. "We'll continue to be transparent.

"All options are going to be put on the table, and I can guarantee this House that no decisions have been made at this point."