The Haunted Mansion in Stirling has gained popularity in Southern Alberta for more than a decade with its ability to instill fear for those looking for a good spook.
However, recent neighboring resident concerns are putting the Haunted Mansion at risk of shutting down.
For owners, Richard and Glory Reimer, the idea of closing their home grown business is a nightmare.
“We’d be pretty disappointed. We’ve put 12 years of work and we don’t want to see it shut down by any means,” Richard adds.
Due to recent changes to the Village’s Land-Use Bylaws, the Reimer’s submitted a rezoning application for their property so the Haunted Mansion can continue to run.
For changes to take place Council is required to hold a public meeting to hear resident feedback and input.
According to Assistant Administrator for the Village of Stirling, Mike Selk, there’s been a lot of interest in the meeting.
“We’ve received a number of written correspondence and requests to speak,” he says.
A number of neighboring residents say the problem with the Haunted Mansion isn’t simply increased traffic flow, parking issues, or noise around Halloween.
- Suspect in killing of temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar got student visa in ‘days’
- ‘Summer of discontent’ coming over public service in-office order: unions
- Panera to remove ‘Charged Sips’ drink from Canada amid wrongful death lawsuits
- Minister Boissonnault to testify before ethics committee over ties to lobbyist, PPE company
They say the mansion that sits on three acres of land is an eyesore, and rezoning it under direct control rather than residential steps on their property rights.
Concerned residents also say around 100 people have signed a petition opposing the application because granting permission to one property owner opens the doors to other home businesses in their residential neighborhood.
According to Richard, shutting down the Haunted Mansion would impact more than just their family or a few trick-or-treaters.
“We’ve talked to a lot of people who say that’s the only reason they come out here, and when they come out here they go to the store and do other things. Really we’ve been their big drawing card so I think it would be bad business for Stirling to lose us,” he adds.
The public hearing will be held 7:00 pm Wednesday night, at the Stirling Community Centre.
Comments