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Empire Communities Donates $600,000 to Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre project in advance of capital fundraising campaign

On Thursday, October 28, 2021, members of Haldimand County Council and staff were presented with a $600,000 donation from Empire Communities, which will be used to construct the future Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre.

This significant donation is the first received for this project, which will see a community capital fundraising campaign launched before the end of 2021 to cover the balance of funds required for construction.

“We are extremely grateful for this generous contribution and investment in the vibrancy and quality of life in our county,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.

“Blending in to and enhancing the larger community is something we strive for in every project we undertake. Supporting the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre project is one way we can contribute and fulfill this commitment,” said Mark Tutton, Empire’s President of Low Rise.

Plans for this new, multi-purpose facility were introduced earlier this year during capital budget deliberations and approved by Council for construction in 2024.

As outlined in the project’s funding conditions, the community will need to raise approximately $1 million towards the combined Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, comprising approximately 10% of the total anticipated project budget.

This condition is consistent with similar community/County partnership projects to construct major assets, including the Cayuga and Dunnville arenas. “This substantial donation will have long lasting impacts and is an important step forward in making this facility a reality,” said Ward 4 Councillor and community fundraising committee chair Tony Dalimonte.

Dalimonte noted that a large scale, community-driven fundraising campaign will likely kick off later this year.

A preliminary community open house regarding the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre was held on October 20, 2021. Further opportunities to get involved and provide feedback will be announced as the project progresses.

For background information and additional details, visit www.haldimandcounty.ca/hagersvilleALC/.

Members of Haldimand Council, Haldimand staff, community members and Empire representatives pose atop a set of stairs outdoors with a ceremonial cheque for $600,000.

Photographed above (Left to right):

Rob Phillips, President, Hagersville Chamber of Commerce

Paul Diette, CEO, Haldimand County Public Library

Doug Miller, committee member, Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre Project Capital Fundraising Committee

Tony Dalimonte, Ward 4 Councillor and community fundraising committee chair, Haldimand County

Mark Tutton, President of Low Rise, Empire

Stephen Armstrong, President, Armstrong Planning and Project Management

Dan Lawrence, Ward 3 Councillor, Haldimand County

Farm 911 Emily Project officially launched in Haldimand

Haldimand County is pleased to announce the launch of the Farm 911 Emily Project civic addressing initiative.

The program offers owners of rural, agricultural land the opportunity to purchase 911 signage for their farm entrances to help first responders locate individuals/incidents in an emergency.

The Farm 911 Emily Project is inspired by Emily Trudeau, who tragically passed away after being involved in a farm accident in Hastings County, Ontario, where first responders had difficulties finding her location.

“This program will assist first responders in identifying the site of a medical or rescue incident more efficiently. When a farm incident occurs it can take first responders longer to locate the property if there is no civic address,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand’s Manager of Emergency Services and Fire Chief.

“Although we have not had any local tragedies due to an inability to find an incident on vacant property, we hope these measures will ensure we continue on this course,” Gallagher added.

Haldimand County would like to acknowledge the Haldimand County Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture (HFA) for bringing this program to the attention of Council for the benefit of agricultural property owners.

In addition, Haldimand County is pleased to partner with Erie Mutual Insurance Company and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (local chapter) who have provided sponsorship funds to cover the costs of 35 signs (first come, first serve) for 2021.

This project will operate on a voluntary basis for existing vacant farm entrances.

Individuals who wish to participate are encouraged to submit an application form available online at HaldimandCounty.Ca/The-Farm-911-Emily-Project or contact planning@HaldimandCounty.on.ca for additional information.

If funding is fully subscribed to, successful applicants will be required to pay a fee of $109.61* which is to be submitted along with their application (*2021 fee).

The application will be reviewed by staff and if no concerns are identified, a new civic address will be issued.

Through this program, properties will be identified by yellow and black signs to distinguish between vacant properties and properties with dwellings. This is so first responders are aware the incident they are called to may not be tied to a home or farm building.

9th Annual Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest Running October 15 – December 1, 2021

The County’s annual Uniquely Haldimand Photo Contest – now in its 9th year – will be accepting entries from October 15 to December 1, 2021. Residents and visitors are invited to submit photos of Haldimand’s beautiful environment, architecture and vibrant community life for a chance to win some great local prizes.

With 87km of gorgeous Lake Erie waterfront, the Grand River, sprawling countryside and charming towns, Haldimand County is one of the most picturesque destinations on Ontario’s southwest coast. Its abundance of outdoor recreation options, scenic lookouts, community events, historic sites and culinary experiences make it an incredible place to live, explore and photograph.

To be eligible, photos must depict a scene within Haldimand County. They must be original, digital high resolution photos no more than two years old and not previously published. Participants may submit their photos via the online submission portal at photocontest.haldimandcounty.ca.

Photos must be submitted by Wednesday, December 1 and comply with all rules and regulations.

A panel of judges comprised of county staff, community members and local media will closely examine all submissions in December. Four winners will be announced prior to the end of 2021 with 1 Grand Prize, 1 Second Prize and 2 Honorable Mentions awarded.

Prizes include gift certificates for unique culinary experiences and local shops.

Winning photographs will be featured in an exhibit within the new Cayuga Library + Heritage Centre and displayed permanently on the County website.

Residents Invited To Learn More About Future Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre At Community Open House

Haldimand County is inviting residents to attend a community open house to learn more about plans for the future Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre.

As part of the planned replacement of the Hagersville Public Library and in recognition of the need for more accessible public spaces given the community’s significant growth, Council has authorized staff to initiate a community capital fund-raising campaign and proceed with community consultations/other activities to support the construction of this new multi-purpose facility.

Hagersville has been identified as the second-fastest-growing urban community in Haldimand and has a shortage of accessible public buildings for recreation, leisure and community socialization. The current community hall is approximately 100 years old and has challenges associated with accessibility and functionality.

The existing Hagersville Public Library, while enjoyed by residents since 1945, is limited in terms of accessibility, programming, services and parking.

The new, integrated facility is intended to be located in Hagersville’s Grant Kett Park, a large downtown green space which already includes the arena, three ball diamonds and a natural amphitheatre used for events. Construction is expected to begin in 2024.

Residents are encouraged to register and attend one of four open house sessions to learn more about the project and provide input into the design of this new community asset.  

Four half-hour sessions are being held on Wednesday, October 20 at the Hagersville Community Centre (62 Main Street South) from 6 to 6:30 p.m., 6:45 to 7:15 p.m, 7:30 to 8 p.m. or 8:15 to 8:45 p.m.

In keeping with provincial and public health guidelines, registration will be limited to 25 participants per session, and proof of vaccination will be required in accordance with provincial guidelines.

Interested residents may register online at HaldimandCounty.ca/hagersvilleALC or by calling 905-318-5932 ext. 6370.

Haldimand continues to grow. By 2041, the population is expected to increase to approximately 68,000 and by 2051, that number is likely to climb to 77,000. In order to meet community needs resulting from this growth and anticipated demographic changes, Haldimand County Council has also directed staff to undertake a Major Community & Recreation Facility Needs & Implementation Strategy.

Separate from the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, this feasibility study/analysis will be conducted to identify and prioritize additional community wellness and recreation needs associated with the County’s 20+ year growth forecast, including locations and components.

Watch for upcoming opportunities to share your thoughts and input into this important process.

Summer Discovery Days at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre

Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre in Caledonia welcomes back children this August for lots of fun-filled activities and adventures!

Join in the excitement and explore workshops with various themes from arts and science to mystery and mayhem including:

August 10: Mad Science – To Infinity and Beyond: Shoot for the stars and explore the universe with us!;

August 12: Art Attack – Hands-on painting, drawing and sculpting;  

August 17: Who Dunnit? – A special Edinburgh Square Mystery featuring Wade the Wandering Heron;

August 18: Eco-Art in the Square –  The wonderful world of ecology, insects, animals and plants; and,

August 19: Castles and Dragons – A magical, medieval adventure awaits young Ladies, Lords, and Knights.

The Centre’s staff have taken care to ensure the safety of its young participants, with staff following protocols established by the Provincial and Haldimand Norfolk Public Heath Units including smaller group sizes, health screening, hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing and increased facility cleaning.

Summer Discovery Days take place at Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre, 80 Caithness Street East, Caledonia. Workshops are suitable for children aged 6 to 10 years and will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $27.50 per child and registration is available online at www.link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at the Haldimand County Cayuga Administration office.

For additional information contact the Centre at 905-765-3134.

Haldimand County Library Announces Virtual Author Visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills

On Tuesday, October 5th at 7 PM join fellow Haldimand County readers for a virtual author visit with Carolyn Huizinga Mills as she discusses her first novel The Good Son. Already an award-winning children’s author, the former Dunnville resident has written her first adult novel and it promises not to disappoint.

The Good Son is a psychological thriller following Zoe Emmerson as her world is turned upside-down when, after thirty years, the murder of her six-year-old neighbour is reopened. At the time, Zoe didn’t share information that indicated that her brother may have been involved – she was young and scared and was unsure what exactly she saw. But the knowledge has always haunted her and now, as her past and present collide, she is forced to face a difficult truth.

Copies of the book can be borrowed from your local library branch. Anyone wishing to join the virtual event is asked to register by calling his or her local library at 289-674-0400 or by e-mailing kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca

Statement from the Mayor & Council – July 28, 2021

COVID-19 Update

We have had tremendous success in Haldimand-Norfolk as we continue through with the vaccination programs.  The staff and volunteers have been dedicated, professional and courteous, making the experience for everyone as flawless as possible. We have received plenty of positive feedback regarding the process and we thank you for taking the time to thank those on the frontlines.

At present, over 120,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across both counties, with almost 65% of residents fully vaccinated. The Ministry of Health is aiming for all communities across the province to have 80% of the population with first dose, and over 75% of the population fully vaccinated by early August.

All residents with a second dose appointment booked for August, September or October who are 28 days past their first dose are being asked to book an appointment at a closer date. Appointments are available in various locations and may be booked using the HNHU’s Online Booking Tool or by calling the Health Unit’s Vaccine Hotline at 519-427-5903.

I urge those of you who are holding out to reconsider and think about your family and your community. While I can appreciate the decision being yours to make, your decision not only impacts you, it impacts those of us around you and we must ensure that we can withstand another potential wave. For the sake of our children who need to reacquaint themselves with traditional schooling; our businesses who need to bring much needed revenue for their families; our sporting programs that help our community stay health and vibrant both physically and mentally, lets pull together and be one of the leading areas in vaccinations in Ontario.

As we move into the fall, we are transitioning out of the arenas to make way for the sporting programs and will be working towards providing vaccination clinics in a variety of places throughout both counties.

 

Caledonia Protest Update

As you all know, the developer has begun the process of refunding deposits to those poor home owners who have been cheated of their dream. This is not them abandoning the site, as we still believe that they hold legal title to the lands in dispute. This is a respectful decision to allow the potential homeowners to make future decisions that best serve them.

If and when the Province and the Federal government move forward and not just engage those on Six Nations with some meaningful dialogue but also stand behind the land registry system that guides all of us accordingly, we will then start to see progress.

Whether you are a homeowner, a developer, or a municipality following the planning process, you should be able to count on the regulations and policies set out to guide the final outcome of owning your dream home.

I continue to support my friends on Six Nations who truly deserve an outcome on their long time outstanding claims, but I will never support the methodology that has been employed on Douglas Creek Estates or Mackenzie Meadows or any of those involved in such acts of disobedience.

I will continue to lobby those at the Province to engage leaders on Six Nations and to bring the Feds to account on the actual claims that are legitimate and will continue to show Haldimand, of which Caledonia is in, being a great place to live, to work, to play and mostly to raise a family.

Stay Safe……

Mayor Hewitt

Haldimand Museums Reopen to the Public

Haldimand Museums is excited to announce the reopening of its three sites to the public following recent pandemic closures.

As of Tuesday July 27, Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum in Selkirk and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre in Caledonia will be open to visitors, along with the already-reopened Heritage Centre located in the Cayuga Public Library.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to check out a diverse range of on-site and online programming and activities for the summer and fall, including:

You Can’t Live Without It, the newest exhibit at the Heritage Centre—located at 19 Talbot Street, Cayuga—runs until September 30 and highlights the history of advertising and how this form of communication was and is used by businesses to promote their wares and activities.

On August 18 at 1:00 pm, join Heritage Centre staff via Zoom for the presentation Historical Kitchen Gardens, which looks at how early settlers tended their kitchen gardens, a vital part of their families’ survival. Advance registration at www.link.haldimandcounty.ca.

Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre (80 Caithness Street, Caledonia) tips its cap to the history of headgear with A Head for Fashion, an exhibition featuring some very unique hats, their significance and the stories they tell.

Edinburgh Square will also be offering in-person its popular summer Discovery Days workshops for children during the month of August – from arts and science to mystery and mayhem. Check out www.link.haldimandcounty.ca for a complete list of Discovery Days programs and to register.

Stop by the Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum to experience The Life and Times of Lyric Poet Wilson MacDonald, with displays highlighting the history of rural education and the heritage of the surrounding community. This original one-room school house is located at 3513 Rainham Road, Selkirk.

Registration for all Haldimand Museums programs and special events is open, and residents and visitors can reserve their space using the County’s online reservation system www.link.haldimandcounty.ca or by visiting the Haldimand County office in Cayuga.

Pandemic-related protocols which allow patrons to safely explore our local arts, heritage and culture remain in place. Visitors to Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum and Edinburgh Square Heritage and Cultural Centre will be required to wear a non-medical face mask and physical distance while on site. Visitors are encouraged to book their visit in advance where possible. A maximum number of four patrons may be admitted at one time, with each visit limited to 45 minutes. Visitors without a prior reservation may be admitted if capacity allows.

At this time, the archives and reference collections located within the Haldimand Museums sites and all in-person services will remain closed until further notice. These services continue to be available upon request through email at museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County Receives Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund Grant for Local Tennis Program

In February, Canadian Tire Corporation announced an additional $12 million commitment to Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund to help sport and recreation organizations build back sport and play in Canada.

Jumpstart conducted a State of Sport study via Ipsos, which revealed the pandemic has not only impacted current access to sport and play but has real long-term effects, as well. Haldimand County and the communities it serves have experienced this impact of the pandemic first-hand.

Recently, Haldimand County was pleased to receive confirmation that it is among the more than 500 national sport and recreation organizations to be provided with grant support through the latest round of Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund. In 2021, Jumpstart has already distributed in excess of $9 million in funding to more than 800 organizations across Canada through the fund.

“We are very grateful to receive this news as we know the funding will have a positive impact on our local youth programming,” says Lynda Kissner, Supervisor of Programs & Events. “In Haldimand County, we plan to use the funding towards the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, which will be made available free of charge to youth ages 8 to 18 years.”

For more information about the new tennis program, please check the County’s website at www.haldimandcounty.ca.

Haldimand County Launches New Tennis Program for Local Youth

Haldimand County is excited to announce the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, geared towards youth ages 8 to 18 years of age and available from August 3rd to September 2nd  in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis.

The program, which will be coordinated by David Brown—who represented Canada in the Davis Cup—is named after his late mother, a top-notch provincial and Canadian tennis champion, and father.

Louise Brown learned to play tennis in her hometown of Dunnville. Her passion for the sport helped her win the Canadian Open women’s singles and doubles titles in 1957 and she ranked in the Top 10 in Canadian women’s tennis for 26 years. Throughout a tennis career that spanned more than four decades, Louise won more than sixty Canadian singles and doubles titles. Her husband, Ross, served in the R.C.A.F. from 1939 to 1945 and was the President of the Ontario Tennis Association from 1965 to 1970.

The goal of the new program is to introduce youth to the sport and teach them the fundamentals of the game.  Participants will benefit from lessons led by a highly-qualified group of dedicated tennis professionals. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to come back to Haldimand County and share my family’s passion for the sport of tennis with our younger residents,” says Brown.

Thanks to the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund—which helps provide access to sport and play for Canadian youth—and Wilson Sporting Goods, the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program will be offered free of charge to participants, including equipment (racquets and balls).

For more information, or to register (registration opens Wednesday, July 21), please check the County’s online registration system at link.haldimandcounty.ca.