KENILWORTH – Details about how Wellington North plans to celebrate 25 years since several villages and townships amalgamated to form township in 1999 were revealed at a recent council meeting.
A barbecue lunch and Kenilworth office open house are planned for June 7 — coinciding with a PA day for local school boards.
Similar to a 20th anniversary celebration held at the township’s municipal office in 2019, staff, residents and former and current councillors will be invited.
Memorabilia is expected to be on display, a cake cut, an open-house-style “touch-a-truck” held, and a time capsule buried, according to staff recommendations.
The time capsule will contain a letter composed by Mayor Andy Lennox and councillors Penny Renken, Lisa Hern, Steve McCabe and Sherry Burke.
Submissions from residents — limited to letters, photos and small items — are being accepted in advance.
If interested in making a submission, email timecapsule@wellington-north.com before June 5.
The capsule is expected to be buried at the municipal office during the lunch and open house event, with the intention for it to be opened by the township’s mayor in 2049, celebrating 50 years of amalgamation.
Staff also suggested increasing the township’s presence at various upcoming events from June to September, and the return of the mayor’s charity bonspiel in November.
The township is also running an art contest to mark this year’s anniversary, and extended an April 12 submission deadline to the end of May.
Ideas or drafted prototypes can be submitted via email to volunteer@wellington-north.com.
Concepts will be transferred onto a flat material suitable for mounting at three locations: the Mount Forest and District Sports Complex, Kenilworth municipal office, and the Arthur and Area Community Centre.
Wellington North Cultural Roundtable members and township councillors will judge the pieces with winners receiving $1,000 each. Winners are expected to be announced at a newcomer and volunteer celebration event planned for September.
Council approved spending $10,500 on the initiatives at its last April meeting.
