*****HELP!***** Our small local business and green space is in danger!

On Monday July 25, City Council may be deciding on a location for the city's transit garage. One of the options is 420 Ashburham Drive, which is 7 acres of green space that cuts through the middle of a drumlin, adjacent to our home and local start up business. Putting a transit garage here will destroy the green space, disturb wildlife and habitat and will not allow the environmentally responsible expansion of our destination microbrewery. There are city owned properties that require environmental clean up, which would make a more appropriate option for this use. The Ashburnham site would also carry higher long-term operational costs which are estimated to be around $200,000 a year more (currently) than other sites on the list.

As many friends know, the Vass family are generational, lifelong residents of Peterborough who have had the privilege of growing up on our Ashburnham family farm. We are very passionate about our community and in preserving the beautiful green space that we have always believed was meant to be shared with others. For the past 5 years we have been working tirelessly on building a family-owned destination brewery that is expected to FINALLY open to the public this year and draw in business and tourism to the city from far and wide. Trying to start a small business, especially during the pandemic, while ensuring we are respecting provincially significant wetland, and following all the rigorous guidelines, has been no easy feat. However, we are passionate and determined to share this piece of paradise and our love of this land with the growing numbers of those who are eager to escape from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy a local nature experience. The property is within walking distance to the Trans-Canada Trail and is already used by many local cyclists, dog walkers, geocachers, snowmobilers etc. NOT building a transit garage in this location allows us to maintain a safe and desirable space to hold community events such as farmer’s markets, venue for live music, a disc golf course, and the potential to host many other indoor/outdoor events and collaborations with various groups and organizations. The pandemic has shown us the importance of supporting small business, our environment and having outlets to enjoy and improve our mental health. Now is the time to put our talk into action to preserve green space FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY! It's time for the city to step up, clean up their contaminated sites and realize that just because we are on the edge of town, doesn't mean we don't matter.

We encourage everyone to come out for a site visit or reach out to us for more information at 420ashburnham@gmail.com. 

Please sign our petition to help spread the word that 420 Ashburnham Drive is NOT a suitable location for a transit garage!

*Please be advised that petitions that are submitted at a public meeting are considered part of the public record. Your personal information may be available to the public.*