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Volume 5, Issue 31
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
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By Bryan Jessop Kids’ television production companies can’t seem to keep their eyes off Leamington. For the second time in just under a year, the Tomato Capital of Canada found itself in the TV camera’s lens — most recently as the feature community for an episode of TVO Kids’ reality show “Giver.” Produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment, Giver allows half-a-dozen youths ages six to 12 to plan, design and help build or reconstruct a playground facility in their own home town. The 11-person production crew, along with its own team of three contractors, arrived in Leamington to conduct a complete make over of Chestnut Park’s playground equipment Wednesday, Aug. 20 and Thursday, Aug. 21. Mayor John Paterson led a grand reopening of the facility — originally built in 1988 — following its completion on Friday, Aug. 22. Filming began 356 days after Balestra Productions recorded an episode of TFO’s “Les Jumelles” (The Twins), which officially began at Lloyd Wilkinson Park — about a two-kilometre drive southeast of Chestnut Park. An estimated 220 communities from across Ontario submitted applications to become the focal point for one of 10 episodes of Giver’s third season. Leamington was informed of it’s being selected for season three in April. The closest community to also offer a successful bid was Sarnia for season two. Karen Driedger, who lives within close proximity of Chestnut Park, prepared and submitted the first of two necessary ap-
Pictured here, from left to right, GIVER host Michael Lagimodiere, Matthaus Quiring, Mayson Gomez, Keyana Gillett, Rylan Colenutt, Hailey Schroeder and Cody Guiterrez cut the ribbon to officially open the newly renovated Chestnut Park on Friday afternoon, August 22. (SUN Photos)
plications in March of this year. Sinking Ship Entertainment quickly whittled the list of hopefuls down to 15 before requiring a second round of requests. Support from potential communities had to be confirmed within the second application, which Leamington municipal council agreed to via the sum of $5,000. Sinking Ship provides each of the 10 successful host communities with an additional $10,000. In Leamington’s case, the balance of required funds are being offered by local businesses and organizations. To date, such groups have stepped forward with a combined total of nearly $7,000. The 26-year-old equipment at Chestnut Park was removed by Public Works employees about a week prior to the creation and installation of new at-
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tractions. Leamington manager of Public Works Ken Brown explained that the new playground is about twice the size of the original. “Lots of people going by have been slowing down to take a peak,” Brown noted. “It’s exciting to have something like this come to the area.” In addition to funding, groups throughout Leamington have stepped forward to volunteer with the project by supplying materials, food and in the case of four individuals with construction backgrounds, their efforts and expertise. In total, about 70 volunteers from across Leamington including parents, children, service organizations and church groups offered their time to help make the three-day project a reality. (Continued on Page 6)
Giver host Michael Lagimodiere offers instructions to Leamington episode participants Keyana Gillett and Mayson Gomez during filming of the show’s ninth episode for season three. Leamington was one of 10 communities picked from more than 200 applicants to have a new or rejuvenated park built as part of the Sinking Ship Entertainment show. Filming took place Wednesday, Aug. 20 to Friday, Aug. 22.
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