On December 10th 2023 more than 130 concerned citizens met at the Kinplex in
Flesherton to share ideas about the best ways to use the Talisman lands and to
discuss various alternatives.
This community meeting was open to the public and was organized by the
Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA) and supported by the Protecting Talisman Lands Association (PTLA). Both organizations, as well as many members of the public, are very concerned that the beautiful and ecologically diverse lands that formed the previous commercial ski area will be overdeveloped by the two existing owners. One
of the developers, Beaver Valley Development Group, which owns the top and
bottom portions of the property has suggested they will build up to 450 homes. Brian
Ellis and his partner, the owners of the middle section of the property (location of the former hotel and ski slope) have not yet made their plans public.
In order to obtain feedback from the community about the best way to use the
Talisman property and to guide the public discussion, ECA hired Public City, a
highly regarded architectural and landscape architecture firm based in Winnipeg
and Toronto. Public City has worked across the country helping land owners,
governments and the public resolve issues around the use of land.
Public City posed questions to the highly engaged audience asking them to
imagine what their vision for the Talisman property would be. Many views were
expressed by over 12 breakout groups. All were noted by Public City. A consensus
formed around the idea that the property should be used in a way that minimizes
the harm to the environment while still respecting the hotel owner’s right to build on
the existing hotel footprint . Any other development must respect the ecological significance of these important lands.
Public City will consult further with all stakeholders before submitting their final
report in early March 2024. Please stay tuned for further updates on this important issue.
