When the Fergus Business Improvement Area decided it wanted to light up the river, it did not fool around.
Not only did over 300 people standing on the walking bridge and lining the rails along the Grand River at Templin Gardens see decades of talk turn into reality with Lightin’ of the Grand, they got a fireworks show to go along with the electric light show that will be a permanent part of the downtown until near the close of the day.
Organizers were understandably worried that the suddenly cold weather (how dare winter show up now, of all times) might keep people away, but those fears were groundless. People began packing the parking lot on the south side, standing on the Milligan Footbridge, and congregating along Templin Gardens to hear music, sip hot cider and enjoy treats long before the official switch was thrown by Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj.
And almost everyone was pleased with the BIA’s efforts to promote Templin Garden and the entire area with a light show on the river and the gorge that runs through Fergus.
“We’ve walked across that bridge a thousand times and we’ve always said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have some lights’?” said Fergus resident Charlie Killinger, who was at the opening night with his wife Judy.
Judy Killinger added, “We thing that’s a great idea. That’ river’s beautiful when you walk across the bridge.”
Spencer Dyce, 11, and his brother Troy, 9, took advantage of the free snacks being handed out and munched on some giant cookies.
“I think it’s a good idea,” said Spencer.
Brother Troy was more reticent, or perhaps more interested in his cookie than the lights. “I don’t know,” was his comment.
But Bob and Sandra Kidd were thrilled about the project.
They have been away from the community for about a dozen years, living in a town called Callender, well known for the birth of five girls named Dionne back in the 1930s.
The Kidds are thrilled to be back in Fergus.
“We’re new in town,” said Bob Kidd. “We’re coming back. We picked up in [the Advertiser] that it was happening. We’ve been excited all week.”
Sandra Kidd added, “This is wonderful.”
John Hutten, who runs a business in town, said, “I think it’s fabulous. The nicer we keep out downtown the better it is for the whole community.”
Ross-Zuj welcomed everyone to “the celebration of the river.”
BIA chairman Jackie Fraser said, “We’re all excited.”
She added “From babies to seniors, our community was out in full force to celebrate this exciting enhancement to our river in downtown Fergus.”
Fraser thanked a number of people and organizations for their support.
The Emmanuel Christian Orchestra provided music; Scott Farlinger piped on the lights. Coloured LED lighting below the Milligan Footbridge, shine up and downstream over the river, illuminating the gorge, whirlpool, grotto, and rapids. The lights will now be on every night from dusk till midnight.
Just prior to the official Lightin’, the Fergus BIA was presented with a cheque from the Fergus and District Kinsmen, Friends of the Grand River, and Fergus Truck Show volunteers, amounting to $4,500 towards the Lightin’ project.
“Thank you to all of our sponsors, partners and supporters for making this project possible,” said Fraser. “We have already received glowing reviews from the community. We truly appreciate everyone who made this project happen.”
Centre Wellington Hydro’s Sherwood said in an interview that he has been hearing about the possibility of lighting up the gorge in the downtown ever since he came to the community in the 1990s. He added that he has heard that resident Larry Wainwright was suggesting the project as far back as the 1970s.
And as an electricity provider, Sherwood was able to make a prediction about the project. “It’s going to be nice for years,” he said, adding that with today’s technology, the cost of running the lights will be negligible.
The lights will use, over the course of the year “less than one streetlight,” he said. ‘These are super efficient LED lights.”
