NS: Chamber worried about losing TreeGO

[TRURO, NS] — The prospect of losing an aerial adventure park concerns the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce.

“We simply can’t allow this opportunity to pass us by,” said president Chantale Haché. “If TreeGO sets up shop closer to Halifax rather than Truro, we risk losing even more business to communities down the highway. That prospect is unacceptable.”

The Truro Daily News reported Wednesday that the TreeGO franchisee has looked at the alternative site the Town of Truro identified.

It is located atop Wood Street in the Serpentine Drive area of Victoria Park. Martin Laviolette told this newspaper it was not as attractive as the previous site, which was located off of Lewis Road and included ziplines crossing the gorge near Jacob’s Ladder. Laviolette was also looking at a few sites closer to Halifax.

The chamber issued a news release on Wednesday pleading for council to find another suitable location or reconsider the first proposal.

“Ensuring TreeGO comes to Truro and not elsewhere needs to be council’s top priority in the short term,” Haché said, noting the business impact of bringing the attraction to the community.

She pointed out there has been opposition to business ventures in the past that council approved and ended up benefitting the community.

Haché said losing TreeGO could end up being a mark on the town that would discourage future potential investors.

“By default, if we are not moving forward, we are falling behind,” she explained. “We need Truro to be viewed as a progressive community that is open to change and open for business.

“Otherwise, more opportunities for growth and development could be lost.”

Town council can legally enter into an agreement to put a commercial enterprise in Victoria Park. Chief administrative officer Jim Langille told the Truro Daily News on Wednesday the town has received legal advice that it is within council’s rights to consider an operation such as TreeGO in the park.

The town would need the majority of council to vote in favour of such an agreement for it to be approved. If all seven members of council were present for such a vote, it would require four members to vote in favour.