MINTO – A $120,000 contract for enhancements to the Celebration Square park under development in Clifford was awarded at the March 15 Minto council meeting.
Roubos Farm Service submitted the low bid of $121,900. The only other bid was from Pine Corner Tree Farm, at $199,435. Both contractors are based in Mapleton Township.
A staff report notes the project was originally budgeted at $110,000 and has been allocated grant funding aimed at development of public spaces by the federal and provincial governments.
“However, other funding which was not included in the capital budget is also expected to be approved which will balance out the shortfall, including additional contributions from the Minto Fire Clifford Station and the Clifford Rotary Club,” the report states.
The project will see the grassed area of the park, which currently includes a gazebo, enhanced with decorative trees, brick and stone walkways and patio sections, benches and other seasonal seating options.
Treasurer Gordon Duff told the Advertiser the idea is “to accommodate a wide variety of events and activities, or just a place to meet.”
Duff told council the square will be “an all-season thing.
“We’ll be able to have our markets and informal gathering places and also … Christmas and winter celebrations, too,” said Duff.
“One of the provisos of our funding is that this project be completed by June 30. So we will be able to do that through this proposal.”
Clifford Celebration Square design concept. Minto council agenda image
“This is this is a great opportunity for Clifford,” said Mayor George Bridge.
“Where it’s situated and what we’ve done so far with the pavement in the parking lot at the back, through COVID we’ve had quite a few things that we’ve been able to do outside with our partners that we have on board.
“I think this will be a real hub of economic development.”
“It’s definitely the goal here to get traffic to stop and shop and even just to bring the community together again – it’s been a long time,” said director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham.
She noted the first town event planned for the new park is the Clifford Street Celebration on July 9.
“It’s going to be a real eye catcher,” said councillor Mark MacKenzie.
“People driving through, motorists and their families, are going to use that and over the years there’ll be thousands use it. It’s a real bonus.”
A motion to accept the tender from Roubos Farm Service was approved unopposed.
