That big open space next to the museum will soon have a name

Right now it's the big open space next to the museum/transit building.

But by summer it could be the Jack Burrows Town Square, or something like that.

Councillor Chris Mayne tells BayToday that he intends to introduce a motion at tomorrow's council meeting to honour the former mayor, who played such a big part of getting the large tract of land where the waterfront now sits.

The man with the original vision, former mayor Bruce Goulet, has already been honoured as the waterfront is officially called the Goulet Golden Mile.

Last summer the Heritage North Bay Board decided to see if the plaza area next to the museum could be named "The Jack Burrows Civic Plaza."

"It seems like an appropriate way to recognize someone who's commitment and initiative really saw the waterfront community park into being. One of the last decisions the former mayor Jack Burrows made while in office was to proceed with the purchase of the land 

The property belonged to Canadian Pacific Railway.

"He certainly received some criticism because of the decision, because it wasn't an inexpensive undertaking, but at the end of the day the park and area around the museum, the lands that had been there for years is back in municipal ownership as opposed to the rai lands that had been there for years."

Staff will now come back with a specific recommendation for a plaque to be placed on the square or the museum

"He's what I've always considered a 'gentleman mayor,'" added Mayne.

Burrows also has a spot on the Kiwanis D.I.A. Walk of Fame on Main Street.

He served as a city councillor for six years (1989 to 1994), and as mayor of North Bay for nine years (1995 to 2003).