The future of the Coalburg Lake Dam is brighter as details on a deal for a new buyer is being ironed out.
Hubbard Township Trustee Jason Tedrow told 21 News that the Western Reserve Land Conservancy is working on the finishing touches of a purchase agreement for the Coalburg Lake Dam.
The plan is for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to buy the property and then donate it as they have done with other projects across the Mahoning Valley.
Tedrow said the hope is to move the property to a public entity and bring something positive to Trumbull County and Hubbard Township.
"Which will help bolster our ability to find some funding for the dam itself. If it's cost-feasible and we find that it is," said Tedrow.
The future of the dam has been up in the air for some time.
In August 2024, 21 News reported that the demolition date for the dam had been pushed back to 2026 after originally being set to start in June 2024.
In 2023, Hubbard residents started a petition to try and save Coalburg Lake, fearing the demolition of the dam and draining of the lake.
"In our community, it's a place for people to go. It's a place for people to have family time together," said Mary Lou Reder, a resident of Hubbard Township.
The Western Reserve Land Conservancy has donated land to local entities in the past.
A partnership between the organization and Mill Creek MetroParks led to the MetroParks acquiring Hawkins Marsh in Smith Township in 2022. They also collaborated with the MetroParks to help them acquire more than 88 acres which became Springfield Forest.
Hubbard Township trustees are holding a special meeting Thursday at 4 p.m. to discuss the Coalburg Lake Dam among other items.