ERIN – The Erin Agricultural Society held a grand re-opening ceremony on Nov. 6, to commemorate the completion of the accessibility renovations to its meeting place and dining hall at 190 Main Street.
Dignitaries from all levels of government joined members of the Erin Agricultural Society for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The building was originally constructed in 1957, as a joint endeavor between the Wellington Masonic Lodge and the Erin Agricultural Society.
This valued partnership remains strong today as the Wellington Masonic Lodge made a significant financial contribution to the cost of this renovation.
“We want to express our sincere thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their support of this project,” said Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott who was present at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “Together, the Town of Erin, the Erin Agricultural Society and the Masonic Lodge have made a great community gathering place even better.”
Renovation – The Erin Agricultural Society recently renovated to add a certified commercial kitchen. Other renovations included an upgraded meeting space, a fully accessible washroom, two dedicated accessible parking places and a wheelchair accessible ramp leading from the front of the building to the rear for lower level access.
Erin Agricultural Society president Rod Perry mentioned in his remarks that fundraising began with the RCMP Musical Ride in 2016, and continued with the support of the Town of Erin, the County of Wellington, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada.
“As always, numerous community partners also contributed to the success of this renovation,” officials said in a press release.
“Special thanks must be given to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their large capital grant and also, the Government of Canada for their Enabling Accessibility Grant and their New Horizons for Seniors grant.”
The renovation included a fully accessible washroom, two dedicated accessible parking spaces, new flooring, new lighting and ceiling acoustics and a wheelchair accessible ramp leading from the front of the building to the rear for access to the lower level.
“In addition, we now have a new certified commercial kitchen in the lower level,” officials say.
The Town of Erin, through their Community Improvement Plan funding initiative, supported the refresh of the front of the building, which received new stairs and railings, a new portico with enhanced lighting and a refresh of the stucco and landscaping.
The building is now available for rent to community groups and individuals.
For more information or to rent the facility contact Eileen Brown at info@erinfair.com or 519-993-1367.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.
OTF awarded more than $114 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
