The Township of Guelph-Eramosa celebrated Canada’s 150th anniversary with the opening of the new Rockmosa Skatepark and the burial of a time capsule.
On Aug. 3 the community was invited to Rockmosa Park for a party featuring food trucks, a skateboard demonstration, bouncy castles, kids activities, beer tent and concert.
“The Township of Guelph-Eramosa is a fantastic place to live, work and explore,” said Mayor Chris White.
“Although we may be a small municipality, we recognize the importance of recreation and promoting an active community and are always striving to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
The new Rockmosa Skatepark, part of the overall Rockmosa Park master plan, was three years in the making.
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“The Local Skate Shop” pro skate team from Hamilton put on an hour-long performance that showcased how the new skatepark could be used. |
Guelph-Eramosa received a $116,000 grant through the federal government’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program to help cover the $350,000 cost of the skatepark.
“Congratulations to everybody that’s put all the effort into what we see here today,” said Lloyd Longfield, a Liberal MP for Guelph.
“I’m here to present the announcement of $116,000 for this project, which is part of $300 million being invested from coast to coast to coast for projects across Canada that showcase communities bringing communities together.
“Something that you could look back in the years to come to say that’s what we did on Canada’s 150th.”
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Township staff bury a time capsule to be opened in 100 years. |
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong said he remembers White calling to tell him the municipality was looking to put in a skatepark and was seeking federal funding.
“Here we are three years later and it’s become a reality,” Chong said. “So I want to commend township council and the mayor for all the work they’ve done.
“You know 10 years ago virtually none of this was here. There wasn’t a water park, there wasn’t a jungle gym, there wasn’t a skateboard park, there wasn’t the Marden athletic facilities, all that’s happened because of the hard work of your local council, so … congratulations to them for all their work on your behalf.”
To help break in the new skatepark The Local Skate Shop pro skate team from Hamilton put on a one-hour skateboarding demonstration.
In addition to opening the new skatepark, Guelph-Eramosa officials also buried a time capsule on Aug. 3.
“We thought it would be nice to leave something for the future,” White said.
“So in another 100 years when this opens up Canada will be 250 years old so we’ll see, this park will probably be quite old by then so we’ll see how that goes.
“I would like to give a special thanks to Rockwood resident Dave Griffiths for making the time, he actually built this time capsule on his own time and at his own cost.
“We’re very appreciative of that.”
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Party time – Youth lined up for their chance to try out the new Rockmosa Skatepark at the grand opening celebration on Aug. 3. |
Township clerk Amanda Knight explained there were a number of items submitted for inclusion in the time capsule, some of which include:
- – 2017 yearbooks from Rockwood Centennial Public School, Eramosa Public School and Harris Mill Public School;
- – a coin set;
- – a $10 bill
- – a Guelph-Eramosa heritage stamp set;
- – grocery store flyers;
- – real estate listings;
- – Canada 150 editions of Canadian magazines such as Macleans;
- – submissions from local organizations and business;
- – older Newspapers from some residents; and
- – a letter from Mayor Chris White.
The time capsule was vacuum sealed and buried on the east side of the skatepark.
