Sudbury officials ask for public input on redesign of Tom Davies Square courtyard

The city of Greater Sudbury wantsto spruce up its own backyard this year.

Planned repairs to the underground parking at Tom Davies Square means the courtyard above it will be ripped up and primed for redevelopment.

Since it was built in the late 1970s, the courtyard has hosted many events, and featured a fountain and skating rink.

But now, it's largely empty.

That's why the city is reaching out to the public for ideas on how to reimagine the above-ground space, said city planner Ed Landry.

"The more ideas the better, right? We are, as we often hear, a community of communities, and we have to find out what the community wants," he said.

Many of the people he's already heard from seem focused on reclaiming the square as public space, said Landry.

"Early feedback we've received is really about that", he said.

"Let's create gazebos, let's create a public space. Because walking through the square, especially this time of year, there's a lot of opportunity for improvement. I could say that," said Landry.

There is no cost estimate for the courtyard redesign, but the parking garage rehab has been pegged at approximately $4million, he said.

More information about the project, aswell as an online submission form forideas for the Tom Davies Square courtyard redesign can be found atgreatersudbury.ca/courtyard. Submissions will be accepteduntil the end of January.

A public input session has been set for January 21.