What You Can Do

Ask us a question. Let us know your concerns.

Send us an email of support.

Talk to your neighbours.

Write to the mayor and to your city councillors.

To email Mayor Martin Ritsma, use the link below:

https://forms.stratford.ca/IT-Services/CAO-Mayor-Council/Email-the-Office-of-the-Mayor

To email all city councillors, use the link below:

https://forms.stratford.ca/IT-Services/CAO-Mayor-Council/Email-City-Council

Copy and paste the following sample letters, modify as you see fit.

Sample letter to Mayor and city councillors:

Dear Mayor Ritsma,

Dear City Councillors,

I am writing to urge you to save Avon Crest (1891) from demolition. Stratford’s first public hospital is a historic landmark and a significant part of our cultural heritage. After meeting privately, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) has chosen to demolish the building. There has been no public consultation on this issue. How can razing a 130-year-old building be in the public interest? Private interests should not be deciding the fate of our heritage and environment.

In addition to destroying a nationally significant work of architecture, the environmental impact of demolishing so large a structure will be enormous: doing so could release tens of thousands of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. New construction will needlessly release still more CO2. According to to the Portland Cement Association, the production of one cubic meter of concrete emits about 181 kgs of carbon. Even if Avon Crest were to be replaced by a more energy efficient building, it would still take as long as 50-55 years to offset the carbon debt created through demolition. Demolishing such a massive building contravenes both Stratford’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan and its Official Plan, which “encourages the rehabilitation of older buildings and recognizes the significance of heritage landmarks and their role in enhancing their surroundings.” Why ask citizens to recycle when corporations can pollute at will?

In arguing for demolition HPHA cites financial considerations and the presence of hazardous materials. But the asbestos and lead within the building will have to be removed before the building can be safely demolished. Yet these elements could be neutralized through rehabilitation. There is no cost saving to demolition.

Why not invite Andrew Williams and the HPHA Board to seek a creative and financially responsible solution. Around the world architects and municipalities are joining forces to rehabilitate and repurpose their disused buildings because it is the ethical and ecological response. For instance, in nearby London, Vision Soho, an alliance of several organizations is addressing that city’s housing needs by rehabilitating the Victoria Hospital (1874). A total of over 650 units will be created. Why can’t Stratford be this forward-looking? Why not consider rezoning all or a part of the Avon Crest site in order to increase the development possibilities and the potential financial rewards? Solving our housing needs and protecting our heritage and environment are not mutually exclusive goals.

Please support the citizens of Stratford by protecting our heritage, saving our environment and fighting for fiscally responsible and forward-looking solutions. Save Avon Crest.

Sincerely,

*****

Write to Andrew Williams, President and CEO of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA).

Write to the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board Members.

Email Andrew Williams at: andrew.williams@hpha.ca

Email the HPHA Board of Directors, via Susan Davey, at: susan.davey@hpha.ca

Copy and paste the following sample letter, modify as you see fit. Or click on the link for a PDF version of the Sample letter.

Sample letter to Andrew Williams and Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board Members:

Dear Andrew Williams,

Dear Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board Member,

I urge you to save Avon Crest (1891) from demolition. Stratford’s first public hospital is a historic landmark and a significant part of our cultural heritage. How can razing a 130-year-old building be in the public interest? Private interests should not be deciding the fate of our heritage and environment.

Releasing such high levels of CO2 into the environment contravenes your own “Energy Conservation And Demand Management Plan” (https://www.hpha.ca/uploads/HPHA_CDM_Plan.pdf), which requires that you report energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to the Ontario Government.

Polluting our environment and increasing the rate of climate change is a clear example of “wrongdoing related to ethical behaviour.” On your website you encourage whistleblowers to report “dangerous practices likely to cause physical harm or damage to any person or property.” (“Performance and Public Reporting Guidelines” https://www.hpha.ca/whistleblower). Please reconsider your demolition plan.

In arguing for demolition you have proposed financial considerations and the presence of hazardous materials. But the asbestos and lead within the building has to be removed before the building can be safely demolished. Yet these elements could be neutralized through rehabilitation. There is no cost saving to demolition.

Why not seek a creative and financially responsible solution. Around the world architects and municipalities are joining forces to rehabilitate and repurpose their disused buildings because it is the ethical and ecological response. For instance, in nearby London, Vision Soho, an alliance of several organizations is addressing that city’s housing needs by rehabilitating the Victoria Hospital (1874). A total of over 650 units will be created. Rezoning all or a part of the Avon Crest site could increase the development possibilities and the potential financial rewards.

Please reconsider your decision and work with City Council and the people of Stratford toward a culturally responsible, environmentally ethical and financially advantageous solution. Save Avon Crest.

Sincerely,