The Creemore
Echo
Friday, January 30, 2015 Vol. 15 No. 05 thecreemoreecho.com News and views in and around Creemore
Inside the Echo
Trailblazer
Gnomo arigato Mr. Roboto
PAGE 6
PAGE 14
Ski community mourns Larry Sinclair
Cybergnomes build is on
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Creemore gets in the mood for love with Big Heart Days
Staff photo: Trina Berlo
Creemore's Mill Street businesses are gearing up for Big Heart Days, an event with family oriented activities to get people into the downtown, including snow grafitti hosted by the Mad and Noisy Gallery.
by Trina Berlo Big Heart Days will take over Creemore on Feb. 14. The BIA is planning a long weekend of events, encouraging people to get outside and enjoy winter while supporting local businesses. The events are happening on Family Day weekend, with most activities concentrated on the Saturday, which is also Valentine’s Day. On that day, the street will be closed and fun family activities are in the works. Start the day off right with breakfast offered at Mill Street restaurants. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the corner of Mill Street and Caroline Street. Throughout the day businesses are encouraged to offer something special on theme with Valentine’s Day and in honour of the village with the big heart. Enjoy the outdoors during events and activities such as street hockey, snowshoeing and horse-drawn sleigh rides, all on Mill Street, which will be closed to vehicles until 5 p.m. Warm up with hot chocolate and wood fired warming stations. In the evening, there will be live music, outdoors at Creemore Kitchen from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Beer will be sold.
Enjoy a cold one around a hot fire. The BIA was denied permission to close Mill Street on the night of Feb. 14, during a Clearview Township council meeting Monday. T h e o rg a n i z a t i o n w a s g i v e n permission to close the street throughout the day until 5 p.m. Councillor Connie Leishman suggested another location for the evening portion of the event would be better, adding she is not in favour of the nighttime road closure. CAO Steve Sage said closing the road after dark would require the rental of special equipment – standards with flashing lights – and the presence of a staff person, which could cost more than $300. The cost could have been passed on to the event organizers. There was also a concern about timing as the request for a road closure should be made 60 days in advance of an event. N ew memb er s o f th e B I A – the business improvement area – committee were appointed in January and are working within a tight timeframe to pull off the event. Anyone interested in volunteering on the Saturday is asked to e-mail CreemoreBigHeartDays@gmail.com.
Cashtown Corners development to include Tim Hortons by Trina Berlo A redeveloped Cashtown Corners could include a Tim Hortons and Esso gas bar, if approved. A meeting was held at town hall in Stayner Monday to hear public input on the proposed redevelopment of the existing gas station and coffee shop. Architect Lloyd Hunt presented plans for a Tim Hortons ‘On the Run’ with eight tables and convenience store, gas bar and garden market. Hunt showed plans for a drive-through that would have room for 15 vehicles in the queue and more than 30 parking spaces. The property is owned by Richview Orchard but the Tim Hortons would be
owned by Ann Murphy, who owns the Stayner location. She said she hopes the Cashtown Corners location would help to alleviate some of the traffic congestion at the intersection of Highway 26 and County Road 91 caused by vehicles waiting to enter the drive-through. Creemore BIA president Rick Burek said some members have expressed concern about directing traffic away from Creemore. Past president Corey Finkelstein said the BIA is showing support for the project through an agreement with Murphy to promote the village. Murphy said she has agreed to incorporate some type of gateway sign
in the form of a map or kiosk to direct travellers to Creemore. “I see this as a positive development because it is an eyesore right now,” said Murphy. Hunt outlined plans to possibly renovate an existing barn on the property to house the market, replacing the tent structure that is set up each summer as a satellite for Giffen’s. Other vendors could be represented at the market as well. “It will be an important landmark,” said Hunt. Lifelong Cashtown Corners resident Robert McArthur spoke in favour of the development, saying he is in full support of the plans and hasn’t liked seeing the property left derelict for many years.
Dunedin resident Donna Baylis asked if consideration could be given to snowmobile traffic as it is close to the trails. Hunt said he would plan for snowmobile parking. The developer is looking to rezone the property, located at the corner of Airport Road and County Road 9, from highway commercial and hazard land to highway commercial exception and hazard land. The exception is required to allow for a full-fledged convenience store, a restaurant with indoor seating and the outdoor market, which is not currently a permitted use. Hunt said all parties are hoping to get the development going in the spring.
Taking care of buyers and sellers in Mulmur and the Creemore hills for 38 years
RCR Realty. Brokerage
Ginny MacEachern
(705) 444-1414 10230 Highway 26 East, Collingwood E-mail info@collingwood.toyota.ca
B.A., Broker
The Town & Country Agent with the City Connections 1-800-360-5821• 705-466-2607 • maceachern.ginny@gmail.com www.ginnymaceachern.com