Two years and two months after receiving its Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) licence, 88.7FM, currently known as Saugeen Community Radio, is finally on air.
The station began its testing phase at the end of September, and officially went live on Nov. 23. It is operating out of a temporary location at Plume’s Main Street Interiors in Mount Forest until it finds a permanent home.
General manager Rob Mattice said it is normal for radio stations to use the two year grace period set out by the CRTC.
Saugeen Community Radio received its CRTC licence in September 2013 after starting the application process in June 2011. Wellington North council at the time provided $4,000 for the hiring of a radio broadcast assistant. Mattice noted the township has not been involved in any other capacity since then.
The CRTC grace period ended on Sept. 17, but the group asked for an extension.
“You’re allowed to ask for an extension for up to one year, so we didn’t even need (the full year),” explained Mattice.
In August 2014, station officials stated they expected to be on the air within six months after receiving a $68,400 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to assist with the launch over two years.
In January, 88.7FM lost its Trillium grant after the two Bluewater Radio representatives split from the station.
Mattice, who joined the station in October, said he could not offer much insight into the funding loss. “I know there was (a grant) and there was an issue with some of the board members … Trillium pulled it back,” he said.
When the two Bluewater Radio representatives left, the station dropped “Spark” from its name and now is looking to the community for a new name.
“When I came on board I decided the Spark was the old, forced name. A lot of people didn’t like it, and I thought why not let the people who we want to listen to it have a chance to name it,” said Mattice.
The station has chosen five names from suggestions – The Bridge, Easy 88, The Voice, The River or Crown FM – and is asking for residents to vote on their favourite until Dec. 21.
The name and logo will be announced on Dec. 22 at 8am. The person who proposed the winning name will receive $1,000.
