It was not just a splash bash – but a birthday bash celebrating the 100th birthday of the Old 81 locomotive here.
Palmerston Lions Club President Tim Meyers welcomed residents to the third annual splash bash. All parts of the event were free, from swimming to use of the splash pad and barbecue, courtesy Perth-Wellington MPP?John Wilkinson.
“Leave your wallets at home and have a good time with your families,” Meyers said.
Minto deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen brought greetings on behalf of council. “We’re very proud of all the accomplishments on this property. The project has not been without some controversy and some challenge, but that is to be expected in a project of this magnitude.”
She said the entire CN?property represents many partnership between all three levels of government with significant funding and with local service clubs, particularly the Palmerston Lions Club and many volunteers who have given expertise, time, labour, materials.
“On this property, we have a state-of-the-art splashpad and we’re just simply surrounded by history. The neat thing about history is that we’re making more history and you’re all a part of it.”
She invited everyone to take part in the festivities and enjoy the day.
Wilkinson said that over the past seven years, he has had a chance to cross all over Ontario.
“You go to a lot of places in Ontario … and you’d never know where you are.”
He said many places have basically torn down their downtowns and built strip malls.
“But there are some communities … like this one … where they decided if they had something unique, they would preserve their heritage. So when you are in a place like Palmerston, you know you’re there. When you look at the people in our community who had the vision to preserve our heritage and then expanding it – now, we’re really starting to see the benefits. e have to thank the people who had the vision in the first place, and the leadership of the Palmerston Lions Clubs and the volunteers, who are making this dream a reality.”
Of the Lions Club, Wilkinson said, “They are making a difference every day and they need your support.”
He noted the support of the town towards the project and the work with the province for the funds to restore the historic bridge, and even more work on the park.
Minto councillor Wayne Martin said, “Today is a special day for a lot of us who have interest in what’s happened here with the train.”
He explained that in 2008 with Wilkinson’s assistance in getting funding to restore the walking bridge, some of that money was carried over into the restoration of Old 81.
Work included welding and painting it, to the point where it is today.
“It was built in 1910; this month it is 100 years old.
He pointed out the birthday sign, which was donated.
What has been happening over the past three months, is that volunteers have been coming out.
“It’s amazing how attached you become, when you start doing stuff. We definitely appreciate their help,” Martin said.
The event also included the unveiling of a heritage sign and a bottle of champagne to reChristen the locomotive.
“As part of the unveiling, we got John a railroad hat.”
The plaque reads: Steam Engine #81 (Palmerston)
This coal-burner was built by the Canadian Locomotive Company (Kingston) in 1910. It was designed for passenger service and could haul 10 to 12 passenger coaches.
This mogul type engine (2 front-6 driving wheels) was built for the Grand Trunk Railway. #81 was retired from service Jan. 29, 1957 in Palmerston to capture the history of our town.
Martin said the train was retired in 1957 and after some negotiation with Palmerston it was brought on site in 1959.
