Landmark demolished to make way for future developments
A landmark on the edge of Orillia is now in ruins.
Demolition is underway on the Atherley Arms building along Highway 12 to make way for future development.
"The owners just want to clean the site up and get rid of all the garbage, and it will be a vacant lot for now," said Township of Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke.
According to Clarke, the developer's long-term plan is to build a residential 12-unit structure.
The mayor noted sewer and water infrastructure limitations as factors for the delays with the property development.
"Until we get water and sewer for the Rama Road corridor and Highway 12, unfortunately, this place just can't move forward," said Clarke.
Over the last century, the property and the several extensions and renovations of the Atherley Arms building have served as a gentleman's club, restaurant and bar.
Crews demolish the Atherley Arms building on Highway 12 in Ramara Township, Ont., on Nov. 29, 2022 (CTV News/Kraig Krause)
For many locals, the building served as a landmark and brought back memories of their youth.
"It meant a lot of things to a lot of different people," said Chrissy Hucker, a long-time area resident.
"Some of the old-timers will remember a time when some of the guys come off fishing from the lake and sell their white fish to pay for their beer. Not mentioning any names."
Hucker had hoped the building could have been preserved rather than left to deteriorate.
"It's been a historic landmark all my life, and I kind of miss it, and I know there was a lot of negative connotations with it, especially in the later years," said Hucker.
Many neighbours said they have been waiting for the building to be removed for years, calling it an eyesore.
According to the mayor, the building sat vacant for nearly 20 years and was deemed unusable.
Clarke said he sympathizes with those who have fond memories of the building but added it was time to move on.
"When you look at the township, and how we move forward, how we want to progress with economic development, this site has been a real eyesore. It's the first thing you see when you enter our township," he said.
According to Clarke, the council agreed to give the developer a 20-year abatement period of development charges to help speed up the cleanup process.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.