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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
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Inside MVC holds formal ground breaking for new headquarters in Carleton Place
COMMUNITY
leton Place. The Clydesville structures had been deemed inadequate for the future of the authority with upgrades considered impractical due to the age, condition and size of the building.
By JEFF MAGUIRE
Perth woman wins pink hot tub. – Page 2
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Retirement party will benefit LAWS. – Page 5
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EMC News – The Mississippi Valley Conservation Centre in Carleton Place is quickly taking shape and last Wednesday, with representatives of 11 member municipalities in attendance, ceremonies were held to officially launch the $5 million project. The site at 10970 Highway 7, just east of the bridge over the Mississippi River, was a beehive of activity with hammering and sawing accompanying the words of dignitaries who addressed a large audience. Among those in attendance for the ground breaking were Mississippi Valley Conservation (MVC) staff, past and present board members, local and area councillors and representatives of the architectural, engineering and construction firms who are collaborating on the 17,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility. It is hoped the complex will be ready for occupancy by July of next year. Last October officials from MVC and the Town of Carleton Place signed an agreement which will see the authority return to Carleton Place following 30 years of operation at Clydesville, just outside Lanark Village. The MVC came into being in 1968. They were originally headquartered in the former Victoria School in Carleton Place which now houses the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum. In 1981 the authority acquired the former Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) district office at Clydesville, on Highway 511 just outside Lanark Village. The converted mobile units have been in use by the MVC since 1982. In a game of musical chairs the MNR moved to a brand new building in Carleton Place. That is all history. In fact the former MNR headquar-
Photo by JEFF MAGUIRE
A ground breaking ceremony was held last Wednesday (Sept. 5) at the site of the new Mississippi Valley Conservation Centre on Highway 7 at Carleton Place. Breaking ground in front of an artist’s conception of the impressive structure are, from left to right, Ralph Vandenberg of Vandenberg and Wildeboer Architects (the building designers), Carleton Place Mayor Wendy LeBlanc, Mark Burnham, chairman of the MVC board of directors; Don Pearson, general manager of Conservation Ontario, Paul Lehman, general manager of the MVC and Shawn Argue, president of Argue Construction Limited of Carp, the building contractors. ters in Carleton Place is now a French-language elementary school (Ecole J L Couroux) and the ministry has long since relocated to Kemptville. Now it is the MVC’s turn again! After considering a number of options for some five years, the authority board of directors elected to construct a new office building and workshop in Roy Brown Park on the south-
west edge of Carleton Place. MVC manages the extensive Mississippi River and lakes system that flows through parts of Lanark County and rural west Ottawa. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place last year when Carleton Place and neighbouring Beckwith Township agreed the town could annex a small parcel of land from the township. The annexa-
tion added property to the undeveloped land at the end of Lake Avenue West in Carleton Place which was long ago designated Roy Brown Park. It is named in honour of local First World War flying ace Captain A. Roy Brown. The agreement with Beckwith was vital. It meant MVC had the required access from Highway 7 to the five acre site it has now secured from Car-
Project under way Work is now well underway on the impressive new headquarters building, with the MVC receiving backing from the town in order to line up the necessary financing for the multi-million dollar program. Paul Lehman, authority general manager, opened proceedings Wednesday by outlining the history of the project. He acknowledged and thanked past board members for their contributions to the process which led to the major move the MVC will soon embark on. Lehman also offered words of thank to Carleton Place and Beckwith councils and staff for their assistance in acquiring the site facing busy Hwy. 7 where the MVC will soon be operating. Mark Burnham from Tay Valley Township, the chairman of the MVC board, smiled when he told the gathering, “It feels like 10 years since we started this (process). “There was a brief impasse over this site and the Mill of Kintail.” Property adjacent to the mill, a conservation area in Mississippi Mills operated by the authority, was also considered as a possible site for the new HQ. Burnham credited longtime Beckwith Reeve Richard Kidd and Carleton Place councillor Louis Antonakos, for suggesting the Roy Brown Park location. Carleton Place Mayor Wendy LeBlanc welcomed the MVC to the town. She pointed to the major contribution of Carleton Place councillor See MVC page A/CP2
Seniors’ Expo runs today in Almonte EMC Events – The 2012 Seniors’ Expo boasts various attractions for seniors, family members and caregivers living in Mississippi Mills and the surrounding areas.
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Only in its second year, the Expo will host over 60 exhibitors, more than double since last years’ event, and is expected to attract over 500 visitors.
With free admission, the Seniors’ Expo takes place today (Sept. 13) from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Almonte and District Community Centre, located at 182 Bridge St.
A wide variety of exhibitors will be in attendance: Artswell, Crazy Quilters, Lanark Woodcarvers and more. In addition, door prizes will be awarded to lucky visitors.
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Moreover, several talented local artists and groups will provide entertainment, and the Appleton Women’s Institute will offer an affordable and delicious lunch.
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