Hundreds Attend On-Site Events as Call to Transform Site into Community Hub Gains Momentum
With Clarington Council preparing to vote on the demolition of the historic Camp 30 Cafeteria building on October 20, the Jury Lands Foundation (JLF) has launched a public petition urging council to preserve the structure and pursue its redevelopment as a community hub.
Camp 30, a WWII prisoner-of-war site and the location of the Battle of Bowmanville, is federally and provincially recognized as a heritage property. The Cafeteria building, at the heart of the site, has been identified as a candidate for adaptive reuse that could serve east Bowmanville’s rapidly growing population.
Public enthusiasm for preserving the site is growing. On September 26 and 27, JLF hosted two outdoor movie nights and a family picnic at Camp 30, drawing hundreds of attendees. Families and residents came together not only to celebrate community spirit but also to learn more about the Cafeteria building’s history and express their support for saving Camp 30.
Across Ontario, municipalities have successfully reused historic buildings for public benefit by accessing Community Benefits Charges — a provincial funding tool collected from new development to support community infrastructure. Projects funded this way have transformed heritage spaces into childcare centres, cultural facilities, and vibrant public hubs.
The Jury Lands Foundation envisions the Cafeteria as more than a preserved building — a canvas for endless possibilities. From childcare and vital community services to cultural programming and events, adaptive reuse of the Cafeteria could be shaped directly by residents’ input, ensuring the site meets real needs while honouring its history.
“It would be such a loss to see this building torn down. 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,” said Marilyn Morawetz, Chair of the Jury Lands Foundation.
The petition is now live at https://www.change.org/savecamp30 and will be presented to Clarington Council ahead of the upcoming vote.
For more information, visit jurylandsfoundation.com
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
