RCAF Station Edgar

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RCAF Station Edgar was part of the Pinetree Line of radar stations and was located at Edgar, Ontario Canada near Barrie. Built in 1952, the site was home to the 31st Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron and was operational in its intended role between 1952 and 1964. The complex was sold to the provincial government of Ontario in November 1964 for CA$218,225, and was used as an Adult Occupational Centre for developmentally disabled or handicapped adults until 1999.[1]

As a part of the de-instutionalization scheme the government began shutting down all its institutions, and by 1999 the Edgar Adult Occupational Centre was completely shut down.[2]

The Ontario Provincial Police then assumed use of the old recreational hall for instruction. They had been using the base off and on for police training and a number of other functions.[3]

In 1999, the government attempted to sell the 628,300 m² (155¼ acre) site to Nishnawbe Homes for $2.95 million, an organisation dedicated to building respectable communities for first-nations people[4], however, the site has since become a political hot potato. The Township of Oro-Medonte has been trying to return the site to its original state as a Glacial Moraine, but the Province of Ontario wishes for a development buyer.[citation needed]

Most of the buildings remain as of May 2008, but pressures to demolish the site are growing.[citation needed]

The base consists of 84 residences, 2 office buildings, a swimming pool, bowling alley, baseball diamond, infirmary, church, and a school.

  1. ^ 1999 - A Visit to Edgar. Bob Agar (2000-04-25). Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
  2. ^ 1999 - A Visit to Edgar. Bob Agar (2000-04-25). Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
  3. ^ 1999 - A Visit to Edgar. Bob Agar (2000-04-25). Retrieved on 2008-05-26.
  4. ^ HOUSING AGAIN e-bulletin. Catherine Nasmith (1999-12-13). Retrieved on 2008-05-26.