The Bowmanville Goodyear Site is now under 24-hour security after the Municipality of Clarington took additional action over safety concerns at the deteriorating former industrial property.
Clarington has also filed what it describes as an urgent court injunction seeking authority to take necessary steps to make the privately owned property safe, potentially including demolition.
The municipality says it intends to pursue recovery of costs associated with providing security and other required work from the property owner through the legal process.
Municipality steps in after security order
The former Goodyear property on Raynes Avenue has been subject to ongoing municipal enforcement related to building safety, site security and unauthorized access.
According to the municipality, a structural engineer attended the property with bylaw staff on Aug. 4 and identified significant concerns.
Those included deteriorating building conditions, unsecured areas, hidden hazards and evidence that people had been entering the property without authorization.
Following the inspection, the property owner was ordered to provide 24-hour security by Aug. 9.
Clarington says the requirement was not met.
As a result, the municipality arranged its own round-the-clock security, which took effect Tuesday.
Court injunction seeks further authority
Clarington is now asking the court for an injunction that would allow the municipality to carry out work needed to make the site safe.
That could include demolition of structures if authorized through the court process.
Mayor Adrian Foster said community safety remains the municipality’s priority and that Clarington will continue using available legal and regulatory tools to address conditions at the property.
The municipality also plans to seek reimbursement from the owners for costs incurred while securing or addressing the site.
Redevelopment proposal remains in background
The Bowmanville Goodyear Site has also been proposed for redevelopment.
The Biglieri Group has submitted planning applications on behalf of Lifelong Group of Companies seeking zoning changes and approval for a draft plan of subdivision involving multiple high-density mixed-use blocks.
However, redevelopment plans have been complicated by ongoing concerns about the condition of the existing industrial buildings and outstanding enforcement matters.
The property owner has appealed a demolition order, and that matter remains before the courts.
Long history of safety concerns
Clarington says it has worked for several years to address security and compliance issues at the former industrial property.
Fire officials previously laid charges related to securing the building, although those charges were dismissed after a court determined the owner had taken reasonable steps at that time.
The municipality later became aware of unauthorized demolition activity in November 2024 and issued an order requiring that work to stop.
A demolition permit for the main industrial building was issued in February 2025.
Following a large fire at one of the vacant buildings in October 2025, the municipality issued an order concerning the unsafe structure.
Historic plant awaiting future
The former Goodyear facility operated in Bowmanville for decades before closing approximately 10 years ago.
The 15.5-acre property has since become the focus of redevelopment proposals, safety concerns and public debate over its future.
Clarington says no fires have occurred at the property since the October 2025 incident, despite inaccurate reports circulating online.
For now, the Bowmanville Goodyear Site will remain under municipally arranged 24-hour security while Clarington pursues its injunction and the outstanding demolition dispute continues through the court system.
