> Grimsby council pulls plug on meeting, sessions running too long /Pg 4 > Grimsby approves new procurement process Pg 3 > Lincoln’s First Avenue gets facelift Pg 6 > Hilary Bald Park to host pop-up library Pg 15 Thursday, July 22, 2021 Vol. 10 Issue 12
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Province commits to new high school theatre build By Mike Williscraft NewsNow After being touted as a feature of the new Niagara West Secondary School going back to the ARC (Accommodations Review Committee) process, inclusion of a theatre component was finally made official last Thursday. Education Minister Stephen Lecce visited the Reg. Rd. 81 site in Beamsville to make the announcement. “After a decade of school closures in rural Ontario, our government knows that families in West Niagara
deserve modern and accessible classrooms,” Lecce said. “Thanks to the strong advocacy of local families and MPP Sam Oosterhoff, the construction of the new West Niagara Secondary School will improve learning for over 1,500 students with stateof-the-art classrooms, a modern theatre, and greenhouse with indoor and outdoor classrooms to support pathways and learning in the skilled trades.” The theatre - which will include 750 seats - is projected to cost
more than $6.8 million. The theatre, along with an artificial turf playing field were two of the key features used to promote the valueadded atmosphere a new school would offer by DSBN officials. Funding for the theatre was never committed when the government agreed to support the facility to the tune of $51 million – $46 million for the build and $5 million for site remediation. The remediation took on a financial life of its own at the former brick See COSTS, Page 3
The spice of life
Another Jordan Lions Chicken Wing Drive-Thru dinner proved a popular event. Melissa Clark got in on the action last Friday, here getting served by Lion Ray Dykstra. Marks - Photo
Wednesdays to be Comedy Night In Grimsby By Tristan Marks NewsNow Coronation Park Grimsby will be the scene of Comedy Night in Grimsby’s rookie performance next Wednesday, July 28, starting at 7 p.m. The inaugural event is being staged by Grimsby’s Downtown Improvement Area Board as one of its initiatives to help the business community in the core bounce back from a third COVID-19-related lockdown. “It goes beyond that, though,” said Mike Williscraft, DIA’s president. “The community needs to get out. We need to see people, talk to people and if we can work in a few laughs, well, even better.”
Williscraft explained this year’s events, which will run five consecutive Wednesdays up to and including Aug. 26, is a “test run” of sorts. “Our board has been planning some special events for next year’s Grimsby centennial and this is one of them,” said Williscraft. “For next year, and hopefully beyond, 2021’s run will be like a seed event for what we hope could turn into a comedy festival next year. There will be more to say about that as the summer unfolds, but that is the direction and the plan.” DIAs have two prime mandates, beautification of their area and a mandate to promote and market their core with an eye to building traffic
Roy Daye will headline the inaugural Comedy Night in Grimsby event at Coronation Park July 28. to support businesses which are in its footprint. “Working with David Green,
who is festival director for the Garden City Comedy Festival, has been seamless. We have our line-ups for each show set up with great headliners and a mix of local talent,” said Williscraft. Of the kick-off headliner Roy Daye, Green says, “Roy Daye is a Jamaican born, Canadian raised stand-up comic whose styling reflects both his North American upbringing and his spicy Caribbean heritage. His show is engaging, quick and smart.” And it will all be free. “We talked about making it a fundraiser, passing a hat, doing a 50/50, something, but this is for the community. We were going to launch next year, but we need this now,”
said Williscraft. Very important is to note all the shows will be family friendly and all COVID protocols will be adhered to, which will mean the maximum capacity for the event is 100. “People may be passing by in the park or stopping for a few minutes on the sidewalk along Main and that’s ok but, in the park, we will be counting to 100,” said Williscraft. “We’ve been working with recreation services to plan everything and we will learn a bit as we go, but it will be safe for all and we’d welcome all who choose to come by. If we get 100 for five straight nights, great, we’re off and running.” See FUNNY, Page 2