The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, June 7, 2019 Vol. 19 No. 23
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE THE ECHO
The Last Aha
Raffle Underway
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
Library News
A retrospective, by Clive
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Talks lead to renaming of GNE fairgrounds
Dave West photo
Former Mayors Chris Vanderkruys (from left), Fran Sainsbury, Robert McKee and Ken Ferguson joined Mayor Doug Measures at Clearview’s 25th Anniversary party held at the GNE Fairgrounds June 1.
Proponents extol benefits of village green by Trina Berlo The clock is ticking on a proposal to transform the shuttered TD Bank into an active green space. Proponents of the village green project say a donation agreement with TD requires council approval by Sept. 1. At Monday’s meeting, Clearview council will revisit a proposed TD Bank partnership agreement, after an April decision to proceed was deferred. Council members needed some extra time to consult with the community and get up to speed on the proposal after Councillor Thom Paterson tabled a motion directing staff to work with the build team and draft a partnership agreement. (That motion was reconsidered at the next meeting and is still in a state of limbo.) Creemore Community Foundation took out a two-page ad in The Creemore
Echo last week outlining the project’s background, its $2 million financial benefit and a list of benefits to the community. During an interview with Foundation members Tony Arrell, Stuart Lazier and Brent Preston, said they chose to take out that ad to improve communication and get the same message that is going to council out to the whole community. “There was a good list of economic benefits there that maybe hadn’t been put in one place,” said Arrell. He said after he tried to get the bank to remain open, Arrell became aware of TD’s willingness to donate the building. He said this is an opportunity that has come out of an adverse situation and he hopes the community grabs it. “You had somebody willing to give a valuable property and you had
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some people willing to put in some significant money and together it would result in an opportunity for Creemore in a transformational nature,” he said, adding that the Creemore Community Foundation could also be a vehicle for future projects. Preston said the vision hasn’t been developed further than a village green, the one developed through the public process. “This has to be a vision for the whole community. We want to create a process so that the community can participate and articulate our collective vision for what we want this to look like. We have an opportunity to create a central public space in the village,” said Preston. “We’ve gone part of the way down the road to figuring out what that space should look like but there’s (See “True” on page 3)
Clearview Township is negotiating with the Collingwood Agricultural Society to rename the Great Northern Exhibition (GNE) fairgrounds to Clearview Fairgrounds. Following an in-camera meeting on May 27 council voted to direct staff to enter into negotiations for a private-public partnership to support the ongoing expansion of facilities at the fairgrounds. The announcement was made during the township’s 25th anniversary celebrations held at the GNE on May 31 and June 1. “Our board looks forward to continuing our long-standing relationship with Clearview Township. We are delighted to recognize this new partnership agreement and are negotiating a variety of naming changes that celebrate agriculture as a common passion,” said Collingwood Agricultural Society president Jim Kinnear. Clearview Township, is seeking a legacy agreement that will enhance the celebration of agricultural heritage and support community groups like Clearview Community Theatre and 4H Clubs. “The 25th anniversary of Clearview Township is a significant milestone that Council would like to commemorate with an equally significant legacy, one that will provide services and amenities for Clearview residents as our township grows, while maintaining and respecting our agricultural roots. I am truly excited to announce this partnership,” said Mayor Doug Measures. Staff will negotiate the private-public partnership agreement and bring a report to council. Since 1885 the GNE has celebrated agriculture in our community, and as part of their mission to promote agriculture, educate and entertain, they are continuously enhancing their facilities to meet the growing needs of the community.
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