It looks like the Aberfoyle Farmers Market is getting a new lease on life – so to speak.
Puslinch councillors recently approved a formal five year agreement with the market to operate at the Optimist Recreation Centre in Aberfoyle.
Although work on the market began some time ago, the market began operation in the recreation centre in 2011.
On Feb. 1, organizers came to council seeking a longer term commitment.
Matthew Bulmer, president of the Aberfoyle Market Association, sought a five-year agreement for use during the summer. The market operates from late May to October.
Bulmer said, ?As you probably know, this group of volunteers has spent the last two years with a goal in mind of creating a local farmers? market the community would be proud to call its own.?
He said the group also wants a market that could contribute to the community. ?I?m proud of the work they?ve done.?
Bulmer estimated 20 community groups were able to make use of the space, ?to present themselves to the public.?
He was also pleased to see people interacting with the various groups. ?It was a chance for some groups to shed a light on what they do.?
Bulmer said the market was placed on the new community sign that is going up.
?We are now in a position where we would like to make this a sustainable part of the community.?
He said the five-year agreement might seem a bit unusual, ?but I think it important, as a new organization, that we make that commitment expressly as possible.?
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said, ?We appreciate the effort everyone has put in. Your efforts have obviously been rewarded. Residents have been very pleased with the results.?
Schmidt favoured a five-year agreement to allow the group to plan accordingly.
Councillor Ken Roth echoed Schmidt?s comments.
Councillor Wayne Stokley added, ?I?m looking for a long term relationship beyond the five years as it becomes a mainstay in the community. It certainly is a gathering place and focal point in the community.?
Councillor Susan Fielding said the market ?has brought a wonderful flavour to the community, both figuratively and literally. It?s really wonderful.?
She added as the market became more established last year, people were coming from outside of Puslinch.
Organizers found that as well.
Fielding said it is a really positive thing the market is drawing larger crowds based on its reputation.
?This agreement is absolutely the way to go,? she said.
Bulmer noted the group has done a lot of marketing outside of the community.
?As much as we love this community, we need the support from quite a ways around. It?s because we have quite a lot to show off here.?
He said while there are quite a few vendors from Puslinch, there are others from across Wellington County and other neighbours to Puslinch.
?We think this is a great way to showcase the whole area,? Bulmer stressed.
He added one of the group?s goals is to become, in its own way, an economic driver of the area.
?Bringing in people from the outside is a big part,? he said.
Mayor Dennis Lever added ?The number of times I visited the market there was always a big flow of people going through. I personally had problems getting past the booth with the cupcakes … but you?ve done wonderful things with the market.?
For a first year, Lever considers the market a huge success.
Council endorsed the five-year agreement.
