Expect the gorge and Grand River behind Templin Gardens to be a show of light and sound soon.
Centre Wellington council meeting in committee of the whole on Nov. 14, approved a financing agreement with the Fergus BIA to install lights and sounds on the river behind Templin Gardens.
Councillor Fred Morris thanked the Business Improvement Area board for its work and planning.
Councillor Kelly Linton called the project “really exciting,” and asked from where the lights can be seen.
BIA chairman Jackie Fraser said lights will be mounted below the walking bridge and they will be seen by anyone who has a view of the river. The lights will show upstream and downstream
She added, “We had a demonstration a few weeks ago and it looked spectacular.
The township will advance an interest free loan of $50,000 to the BIA to cover the cost of the beautification project. It will then deduct the loan in equal installments from each quarterly levy paying that it makes to the Fergus BIA over a five year period, beginning with the first paying in 2012.
The loan will be reduced as well by funds that are raised by the Fergus BIA through grants and donations that it is actively seeking for the project.
The BIA will pay any money it collects to the township and it will credit those payment to the outstanding loan and reduce the amount of the installment payments.
The motion to approve the project and financing was made by councillor Walt Visser and seconded by councillor Kirk McElwain. It carried unanimously.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj thanked Centre Wellington Hydro manager Doug Sherwood for all of his help with the project.
