Old Prince Edward Home land could become green space

Turning the the old Prince Edward Home property into green space would be a 'unique' opportunity, says the chair of Charlottetown's parks and recreation committee.

Once a hospital, then a nursing home and palliative care centre, the 80-year-old building is situated on a prime piece of land next to Victoria Park.

Mitchell Tweel says it makes sense to add it onto the park.

"We have an opportunity now to do something that's truly unique and that's to make this entire footprint entirely green," said Mitchell Tweel.

"We would like to form a partnership, whether it's leasing the land or acquiring the land, whatever that possibility is."

Province expects decision in fall

Tweel says the city has sent letters to the province, which owns the property, in the past and hopes to meet with the new provincial cabinet soon.

Harry Kielly, chair of the PEI Museum and Heritage Board, lives close to the old building. As a local resident, he hopes there is public consultation.

"We would not want something that overshadowed the property of Fanningbank. We would not want to see something that was not in keeping with the public access to Victoria Park. It's a family-oriented area of the city and is very important that we maintain that," he said.

The province's infrastructure department is now studying the building and will present options to cabinet in the next few months. It expects to make a decision sometime in the fall.