A radio station planned for this community has received a financial boost from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Spark at 88.7 FM, expected to be on the airwaves within six months, received a Trillium grant of $68,400 over two years to assist in its launch, according to a press release from Wellington North’s economic development manager Dale Small.
“The community radio station in Mount Forest is one step closer to being operational,” Small said. “The Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing $68,400 in funding to help launch the station.”
The new station, incorporated as Saugeen Community Radio Inc., came together under a partnership between the Township of Wellington North’s economic development committee and Bluewater Radio in Hanover.
Approval from the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) was received last September and the station will be run by a non-profit board of directors with a store-front location on Main Street in Mount Forest.
Officials say the content will be tailored to what’s popular and relevant to northern Wellington and surrounding areas.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece, whom officials say has been a big supporter of the station, says he is confident the partnership and board of directors will do an excellent job of launching The Spark.
“The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s investment in Saugeen Community Radio recognizes the successful partnership between the Township of Wellington North and Bluewater Radio,” Pettapiece said in press release.
“By combining Wellington North’s successful project management expertise with Bluewater Radio’s experience in the broadcasting industry, I know this will be a successful initiative. I’m proud to support them.”
The next steps for the station include hiring a manager, finalizing other funding requirements and obtaining a location on Main Street, Small said.
The station has been four years in the making.
“Our first partnership meeting with Bluewater Radio was facilitated by the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation in May, 2010,” Small said.
“At the June 6, 2011 regular meeting of council the economic development committee was given approval by council to engage a radio broadcast consultant to assist in the process of determining the feasibility of establishing a community radio station in Wellington North.
“This included the preparation and submission of the technical brief and applications required by Industry Canada, the CRTC and other agencies in order to approve our application, the identification of the broadcast tower location and completion of all the mapping and land use documents required by NavCanada as well as the submission and approval of an Aeronautical Obstruction Clearance document from Transport Canada.”
The station was officially incorporated as a non-profit corporation in March of 2012 and the first volunteer board of directors meeting was held the following month.
The board currently consists of four Wellington North residents, one Town of Minto resident and two individuals representing Bluewater Radio.
“Wellington North has funded the cost to date at an expense of just over $4,000, excluding HST, and this has been covered out of the economic development committee budget,” Small said.
“No future expenses, with the exception of some of my staff time, will be incurred by Wellington North.”
Small said the station is continuing to look at a location on the Main Street and is planning to hire a station manager.
It is anticipated the station will be run primarily by volunteers.
