A developer’s proposal has placed Clarington Council in a difficult position over the future of the former Camp 30 site in Bowmanville — a nationally significant location that once held German officers during World War II. Kaitlin Corporation, which owns five heritage buildings on the property, has offered to transfer the buildings and surrounding land to the municipality in exchange for parkland previously slated for dedication in its Jury Lands residential development.
The offer includes the Triple Dormitory block, lands within the historic Ring Road, and more than 50 acres of open space with trails. Kaitlin has also pledged to “gift” Clarington the amount it would have spent on demolishing the heritage structures and to forgo development within or around the proposed Jury Lands Park. In a letter to council, Kaitlin’s Devin Daniel described the deal as “a significant win” for both the municipality and the community.
But the offer comes with steep financial implications. The restoration of just one building — the Cafeteria Building — is estimated at up to $22 million, with partial retention and adaptive reuse pegged at $7.7 million. Even the lowest-cost option of demolition would run over $1.4 million. Preservation costs are not eligible for development charge funding, adding to the municipality’s financial strain.
Kaitlin has long shown little interest in fully preserving the heritage structures, instead exploring “commemoration without preservation.” However, community advocates see the site as irreplaceable. “It’s a one-of-a-kind place,” said Stefanie Campbell of the Jury Lands Foundation. “As Canadians we don’t really know about the history. We need to preserve it.”
The Foundation has proposed restoring the Cafeteria Building as a hard-shell pavilion, eventually transforming it into a community hub for childcare, cultural programming, and local services. “It would be such a loss to see this building torn down,” said Chair Marilyn Morawetz. “Instead, we have an opportunity to imagine something wonderful – a community hub shaped by the people of Clarington. This is our chance to build a future we can all share in.”
Town staff and council are leaning toward two lower-cost options: partial retention with commemorative reuse at around $2.5 million, or preserving only the building’s footprint for approximately $1.57 million. The Jury Lands Foundation hopes the municipality will accept Kaitlin’s offer, which would bring the entire site — including all heritage structures, trails, and open spaces — into public ownership.
The proposal will be discussed at Monday’s committee meeting. Heritage advocates are urging residents to attend and make their voices heard. “This is a pivotal moment,” the Foundation said. “There’s strength in numbers, and every voice helps show that history matters.”