HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-05-04, Page 3Seaforth Lions Park readied for 2016 activity
Special to the Expositor
The Seaforth Lions wel-
comed Jeff McGavin to their
March dinner meeting to talk
about the 2017 International
Plowing Match being held
from September 21-26. They
have contracted 1,000 acres
along the Blyth Road with Jack
Ryan's property being the host
farm. In addition to the land
for plowing competitions
there will be 100 acres of
tented city and a 1400 site
campground. The Plowing
Match attracts between
80-100,000 people and gener-
ates $2 million to $3 million
dollars for the area. They are
working to co-ordinate the
many volunteers needed to
make this event run smoothly.
Everything is still in the plan-
ning stages and more infor-
mation will be known as the
event draws closer.
The April 9 TV auction was
a great success, thanks to the
participation of the many
donors and bidders.
April 23 was spring clean-
up day at the Seaforth Lions
Park. Members of the First
Seaforth Scouts, their leaders
and parents joined members
of the Seaforth Lions Club and
lifeguards to ready the park for
the upcoming 2016 season.
Many hands do make light
work and the club is grateful
to all who gave of their time to
help with the clean up. Repair
to several pieces of play-
ground equipment and $2700
in ball diamond maintenance
will be addressed in the next
few weeks.
Two new members were
inducted into the Seaforth
Lions Club at the April dinner
meeting. Newest members
Lions Mike Ash and Brent Day
were inducted by Past District
Governor Lion John Stewart
and Zone Chair Lion Mary
Lou Stewart. These new mem-
bers are a welcome addition
to our club.
Elimination Draw early bird
winners of $60 were Maureen
Wildfong and Stephanie and
Ian Peck. There is one final
early bird draw prior to the
June 18 dinner, dance (Dianne
and the Cavaliers) and draw
and there are a few tickets left
for purchase.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016 • Huron Expositor 3
From left to right: Zone Chair Lion Mary Lou Stewart, new Lions
members Brent Day and Mike Ash, Past District Governor Lion
John Stewart. Seaforth Lions Club's newest members were
installed at the April 25 dinner meeting.
The Seaforth Lions Club's
annual trout derby is sched-
uled for Saturday May 7 from
7 - 11 a.m. at the Lions Park.
This no -cost event is for chil-
dren up to 14 years of age.
Better Wayfinding is expected to enhance the economy
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The municipality of Huron
East and the University of
Guelph has recently joined
together to create a Wayfind-
ing Strategy that will not only
lead visitors to fascinating
attractions, but also the
undertaking is predicted to
make a substantial economic
influence on the region.
A group of three female stu-
dents from the University of
Guelph who are working
towards their masters in sci-
ence picked this specific pro-
ject to earn credits in a course
known as Rural Development.
The four-month assignment
that was accepted by the eco-
nomic development officer
for Huron East, Jan Hawley,
was one of two requests for
proposal (RFP), the other was
a brownfield strategy. The four
women sat down with other
community members and
brainstormed a collection of
ideas including 60 tourist
lures and numerous draws
like special events. The group
printed off a large map of
Huron County and plotted
them with most focusing on
Huron East.
"Ultimately this can turn
into dollars of course. If peo-
ple are going to places and
spending a longer time, (then
that) usually contributes to
local business," said Brianne
Labute, who is currently in her
first year at the University of
Guelph.
A way to do this is by creat-
ing better signs that are visible
for travelers who can move
from destination to destina-
tion. The trio drove around for
two full days researching and
auditing existing signage.
"I think it's important
because council has a role to
play, at least in signage," she
said.
Amanda Herbert is in her
second year at the University
of Guelph, said mobile loca-
ters and maps showcasing
where to go will help the visi-
tors circulate during their stay.
"It's not all about attracting
more people, it's about having
a better experience while they
are here. If they are already in
town, say for a hockey tourna-
ment or in Walton (for the)
races it's about trying to keep
them here," explained Her-
bert, April 19 at the Huron
East council meeting
"If they find out what they
are looking for more quickly,
then they are more likely to go
out and find other businesses,
whether it's an apple orchard
or a quilting shop!'
According to the hefty 20
plus page document provided
to council a couple weeks ago,
the wayfinding audit outlined
some issues the municipality
faces and mentioned their
effectiveness in certain areas.
With the current physical
OFFICE HOURS
signage, they admitted that
Huron East is rather
distinctive.
"It was always clear road(s)
we were travelling on and
when another road began
these signs were clear and
cohesive with other road
signs," stated the manuscript.
"One overarching issues
was the lack of signage within
the municipality for the iden-
tified specialty assets. Many
assets and draws are clearly
marked by identification signs
on the property or at the
entrance of the location. How-
ever, many of the assets were
missing directional signage
that would direct visitors to
the location:'
The Office Hours for
The Seaforth Huron Expositor are as follows
Mondays - 9am - 5pm
Tuesdays - CLOSED
Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm
Thursdays - 9am - 5pm
Fridays - Sam - 4pm
Seeirih
Ikiroo Expositor
8 Main Street, Seaforth ON
PH: 519-527-02401www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com
One suggestion that the trio
made was for Huron East to
make more signs with their
logo as the Ontario's West
Coast branding is already
located in several locations,
but it doesn't benefit land-
locked municipalities. In
addition, the way technology
has shifted these days, almost
everyone has a cell phone
with the ability to use Google
Maps. In many cases busi-
nesses frequently add their
phone number and name, but
the majority of pulls and
"neat" establishments could
not be found. Hawley said she
has way to fix that problem.
"I think Google mapping
will prove to be beneficial and
I have (a) great summer stu-
dent that will be here shortly
and she has expertise in that,"
Hawley said in her office last
week. "Using maps and online
strategy, one will complement
the other."
Hawley said they will be
focusing on the digital side of
it, since it's much cheaper.
And as time goes on she will
know how much their budget
is for the hard copied maps.
"It's all about communicat-
ing and letting people know
we do have a wealth like we're
really rich, not just natural
assets. Even with the maple
syrup, the sugar shacks" Haw-
ley told the Expositor.
"It's a bit of a culture."
Air
iar
':111"Central Huron
FACADE GRANT PROGRAM
The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce their annual
Central Huron Facade Grant Program. The Program includes facade
improvements for properties in Central Huron that are assessed as
Commercial for taxation purposes. The Municipality has set aside
funds to assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of
the building facade or signage.
The proposed facade improvement must meet the specific property
criteria outlined in the "Facade Improvement Concept" and enhance
the "cosmetic" appeal of the structure from a streetscape viewpoint.
Deadline
Applications must be received by the undersigned by 4:00 p.m.
Friday, May 20, 2016. Questions or comments may be directed to the
Municipal office at 519-482-3997.
"Central Huron Facade Grant Program"
Attention: Brenda Maclsaac, Clerk
Municipality of Central Huron
P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street
Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
info@centralhuron.com Fax: (519) 482-9183
The Municipality reserves the right to fund projects
as deemed appropriate.
www.centralhuron.com