Case Oates Might Be On To A Solution

To the city's need for transitional housing.....housing on wheels. Trailer parks work in the US so why wouldn't it work here. Contrary to the perception these parks differ greatly from the view we get on Trailer Park Boys. Hopefully Case will couple this idea with his tourist iniative.

Ootes pushes RV park in city
Says Downsview or Ex could lure wheeled tourists
January 17, 2007

An RV park at Exhibition Place or Downsview Park?

It's an idea being proposed by city Councillor Case Ootes, who believes it would be a good way to boost tourism in the city.

Though not a recreational vehicle (RV) user himself, Ootes (Ward 29, Toronto Danforth) knows people who are and believes Toronto is missing out on that experience.

His idea has been kicking around for some time. He first pitched it in 2005 and at the time he asked for a comprehensive staff report looking into the issue, but one wasn't completed.

Now he is asking the city's economic development committee to ensure a report is done that would:

# Identify potential sites near downtown that are easily accessible to public transit like the Ex or Downsview Park.

# Assess properties that could accommodate RV campsites, include providing access to electricity, water and sewage disposal.

# Come up with ideas to promote Toronto as a prime camping destination for RVers.

# Get input from experts in the RV industry.

Toronto has an RV park in the Glen Rouge campground in Scarborough, which has 124 sites designed to support every form of camping, from backpacking to RVs.

Ootes' will be on the agenda of Toronto's economic development committee, on which he sits, when the committee meets at city hall next Wednesday.

He was not available for comment yesterday.