This community gives a good first impression, according to a group of eight people who toured and evaluated it.
The group from Mitchell was part of the First Impression Community Exchange program sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in which representatives from different communities visit each other’s community and give their first impressions.
The Mitchell group representing a cross section of its community visited Arthur on Nov. 9, 2011 and spent six hours evaluating what they saw.
Chief administrative officer Will Jaques, of West Perth, which includes Mitchell, attended Monday evening’s Wellington North council meeting together with group members Cheryl Moore and June Demerling and presented the group’s findings.
“The biggest asset Arthur has is the wonderful people, proud enough to sell their community,” Jaques said of the Mitchell delegation’s findings.
He said the group was particularly awed by stores they visited in which owners who didn’t have items they were looking for referred them to the closest store where they could find what they wanted.
“They (store owners) said I can’t offer what you want; look here,” Jaques said of the response his group received.
The Mitchell group felt the community should do more to promote and advertise the fact Arthur is known as “Canada’s Most Patriotic Village.”
“You may be able to build on the most patriotic village,” he said.
The Mitchell group found some store owners are concerned about growth in the community.
“Store owners are a little concerned about there not being a high school and concerned younger folks were not going to set roots here.”
By comparison the group found Arthur different from Mitchell due to its mix of new and old housing, apartments, heritage buildings. They also cited Arthur’s parks and suggested more should be done to create and upgrade parks in the community.
Jaques said his group found the town has ample parking available in the business core, unlike Mitchell where parking is limited. He added the town has a lot of services to offer retirees, but could focus and augment leisure programs and facilities to attract young families.
The group also suggested better signs in the community to direct visitors to the business area and other attractions. They also found Arthur has a strong industrial base.
Overall Arthur received a solid rating.
“It’s always nice to have a fresh set of eyes,” Mayor Ray Tout said of the report. “There’s a lot of things we take for granted.”
Economic development manager Dale Small said the report will go to the township economic development committee for consideration.
“It will be the role of the committee to take your comments and see where we go with them,” Small said.
