City of Sarnia councillors debated during Monday's meeting over the future for Camp Saredaca located at Blackwell and Telfer Rd.
A total of $24,000 of funding was approved by council to be put towards remediation efforts at the camp site.
Councillor Dave Boushy expressed his concerns that much of the public doesn't even know about the facility.
Before council voted, Boushy stated he doesn't believe the city should put money into the camp if the buildings are only meant to be temporary. He brought forth options for selling the lands or turning it into a dog park.
However, Director of Parks and Recreation Beth Gignac explains they have already looked into future purposes for the site.
"The building itself now that it's been remediated and repaired in the last number of months, has the potential and the ability for us to start programming that space on a year round basis to expand the use of that facility."
She mentions the facility contains two large classrooms, a multi-purpose room, a kitchen, washrooms, and a very special green space.
"The Carolinian forest that is a part of this park is actually one of the prime Carolinian forests in Southwestern Ontario," says Gignac. "So as a naturalized site in and of itself, it's quite special."
Gignac also proposed the old barn facility, now that it's been cleaned up and rid of garbage, could also be used for future weddings.
Councilor Anne Marie Gillis believes more money could be put into camp to help expand its potential.
"We just applauded Return the Landscape out at Enbridge for doing exactly what we have right here," says Gillis on the approved funding for remediation efforts to the Carolinian forests.
After the meeting, councillor Boushy told CHOK that he approves of the funding if the lands will be used for something purposeful.
The camp site is currently being used for the city's summer day camp programs and as a rental facility for Girl Guide groups and the general public.