WELLINGTON NORTH – Township economic development officer Dale Small presented council with a report looking ahead to celebrations commemorating Arthur’s 150th anniversary during the Jan. 10 council meeting.
Last fall the township’s Cultural Roundtable and Arthur’s Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement Association reached out to local service groups, churches and community organizations about participating in the celebrations to commemorate the milestone.
“A lot of the groups, including the Optimists and the Lions and others are really getting behind the celebration and it’s going to take the entire community to come together and have a really great celebration,” Small told councillors, adding he has hopes for a committee to form this month involving all the groups.
Based on responses from local organizations, celebrations could include annual Optimist Club Canada Day weekend festivities, a Shop Local “Sidewalk Saturday,” the much-anticipated opening of the Brent Barnes Memorial Skatepark, and an Arthur Area Barn Quilt Trail Project.
Small requested council declare the event as “municipally significant” and a “recognized community festival” to assist with insurance coverage, waiving of fees, promotion, marketing and possibly provincial funding.
The township’s economic development department and Arthur Business Improvement Association have each allotted at least $5,000 to support the celebration.
Small’s report to council noted additional sponsorship funds are available from the township’s Cultural Roundtable.
“To assist the various groups with their programs and fundraising activities we forecast there could be upwards to an additional $2,500 granted in fee waivers,” Small stated.
Councillors also discussed a request to have a Canadian Forces Snowbirds flyby but emails to the Community News from Snowbirds public affairs officer Capt. Gabriel Ferris state a proposed July 2 flyby is unlikely.
“For now we don’t see it being possible since we will be in Ottawa but nothing is set in stone until closer to the event,” Ferris stated, adding the birds will still be in the capital city following Canada Day.
Council approved an amended motion with festivities slotted from June 30 to July 4.
“In 2022, Arthur celebrates its 150th Anniversary of Incorporation and with our rich history we would like to see the community come together to organize an appropriate celebration,” Small stated.
