Moorefield could be first of three communities here to get a large mural in its downtown.
Dave Campbell of the Moorefield Optimist Club said on April 10 the group is proposing a large mural in the community and would like to do so under the township’s program that supports community groups with half of a project’s cost.
The mural would be 12 feet high and 32 feet long, and be placed on the north wall of the K.A. Hammond building at the corner of Adam Brown and Hendrie Streets.
Campbell told council preliminary talks about the project started last year with public works director Larry Lynch, and the club is hoping for council support.
It has approached artist and muralist Allen Hilgendorf, who has done numerous similar projects. The cost would be $9,600 for the 384 square foot picture on four by eight foot panels at a cost of $1,200, plus $1,404 HST. The total cost is $12,204.
Campbell said Hilgendorf has already visited Moorefield two or three times, and presented a possible mural sketch. it features the railway, a truck backed under a grain bin, cattle and four baseball players. Campbell said with a grin that some of the boys in the sketch would have to be changed to girls.
He said local volunteers would be responsible for the strapping that would go on the walls to hold the panels, and the hope is the labour to place the panels under Hilgendorf’s supervision would be donated.
Campbell noted fundraising has already begun, and Lynch is helping by arranging an international fastball game between New Zealand and Argentina for Moorefield in June, and the mural proponents are hoping to raise $2,000 or more from that event.
Lynch has been involved in international fastball for many years as a coach and manager and his clubs have won International Softball Congress titles. He also arranged a few years ago for a doubleheader exhibition game between New Zealand and the South Perth Fastball League all stars in Drayton. New Zealand finished second in the world championships in Saskatchewan later that summer.
Councillor Jim Curry told Campbell he should get in writing where the funding will come from in order to take part in the township’s 50:50 funding program. Under that policy, the township will pay half the cost of a community project up to $50,000. Anything over that, like the Alma Community Hall, requires special approval.
Curry said the fundraising plan should be taken to the township parks, culture and recreation committee – and then be sent to council.
Lynch told council he saw the project as a cultural one, and it has been noted that a cultural component has been “lacking in the community.”
Campbell said Hilgendorf has been doing murals for years, and cannot recall one being defaced. Further, they last for years.
Council heard murals on panels last longer than murals on walls, which are subject to flaking under intense sun. That’s why this mural would be on the north side of the building.
Lynch said such murals are erected in Kitchener and he has never seen them defaced or flaking, either.
He added he hopes to see such murals added to downtown Drayton and Alma. He said there is interest in Drayton and he has not heard yet about Alma, but knows of a possible space.
Campbell said he hopes the remainder of the money can be raised in the community. He added it is “hard to be neutral” but the plan is to avoid any advertising or commercial slant to the mural.
Later in the meeting council again discussed the issue and Lynch said he has heard in the past that 50 cent dollars are “a no-brainer.” He said he believes in the project and has been working to arrange the exhibition ball game.
Councillor Neil Driscoll said if the Moorefield community has some time, it might come up with 70% of the project cost.
Curry said the July 1 celebrations in the township offer groups the opportunity to raise funds.
Councillor Mike Downey said of the proposal, “This is a design built, custom product. If any group wants to take it on – more power to them. Fifty cent dollars – I’ll take it.”
Downey added Hilgendorf “has a proven track record – let’s go with it.”
Downey said he does not care if the funding comes from parks, culture and recreation or the roads budget. “It doesn’t matter … If they [community groups] bring these projects to us, it’s worth looking at.”
Curry noted there is at least one more budget meeting coming before council passes that document, and council can consider the project and another proposed for Drayton parks at the same time during those deliberations.
Curry did say he would like to see the group’s share raised before any township money is spent.
Downey wondered if that is “the norm, now?” He moved council support the proposal under the township 50:50 grant program and councillor Andy Knetsch seconded that motion. It carried.
The proposal will also be presented to the parks, culture and recreation committee for comment.
