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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-08-06, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Huron Arts and Heritage Network to receive funding for heritage initiatives Steph Smith QMI Agency At the Huron County Museum in Goderich on July 30, Huron -Bruce MP Ben Lobb announced the Gov- ernment of Canada would be providing the Huron Arts and Heritage Network (HAHN) with funding to support their fourth -annual Doors Open Huron County event. Through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, the HAHN will be receiving $12,200. This grant will go towards several walking tours and speakers' series with local historians at the event, as well as the arts and crafts exhibits, theatre per- formances and concerts that each heritage site will feature. "We're happy to partner with the county on initiatives like this," Lobb said. "It's a great working relationship and I hope to keep this mov- ing forward. We're really for- tunate that we live in Huron and Bruce counties and to have people who take this kind of initiative on!' Lobb said Huron County has a rich culture and herit- age and that partnership funding helps to put an emphasis on these aspects. The total contribution from the federal government through Heritage Canada is somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000 per year, with the money going towards the numerous festivals that take place across the country. "If you look within Huron and Bruce counties, there are a lot of cultural events that are taking place now that maybe didn't take place 25 years ago," Lobb said. "Those [the festivals and events] are good invest- ments because it helps drive tourists to the area and keeps things interesting." Lobb said the festivals and events are also worth the investment because they help to not only inject money into the local econ- omy, but educate local resi- dents and youth about some of the historical significance in some of these communi- ties, as well as the people that these events draw in from other areas. "It always astounds me when people say they love places like the Huron County Museum because I think our heritage is something we take for granted," said Meighan Wark, the county librarian and director of cul- tural services for the Huron County Library, Museum and Historic Gaol. "I think it's different for those who come from away because it is so different here. Huron County is a piece of rural Canada, it's like a window to people and something we often forget that we're lucky to have:' Wark said the HAHN and the County of Huron have worked diligently to engage the community through var- ious cultural initiatives, referring to Doors Open as yet another example of how they are trying to increase the profile of culture in Huron County. "We have support from a number of municipalities in the county but certainly the $12,200 funding really makes a significant differ- ence in our ability to deliver these kinds of pro- grams," said Rick Sickinger, the cultural development officer for the County of Huron. "The funding helps us do the event, and the event helps us to promote ... our creative people and the great talent we have, as well as the significant built heritage we have, the inter- esting buildings and the stories behind them?' Sickinger said the amount of events that have been occurring across Huron County lately really says something about the area and the region itself. He said the heritage is very impor- tant to its residents and how this is it witnessed when you drive through towns that have quite a bit of their herit- age preserved. "People are really con- nected to the area," Sickinger said. "If you look at census data, I think it's something like 70 per cent of Huron County residents have been here for multiple genera- tions, there are really strong ties here." The fourth -annual Doors Open Huron County will be taking place Sept. 13 and 14 at over 30 historic sites and places of interest across the county. This year's theme is Re -Imagine Huron: Step into Our Stories, with all sites featuring perfor- mances and displays by local artists. For more information and full event details, visit www. creativehuron.ca. New committee looking at potential splash pad in Seaforth Whitney South Huron Expositor To splash or not to splash? That was the ques- tion being posed by Sea- forth's Splash Pad Commit- tee during their second meeting July 29. The committee, which is made up of Seaforth coun- cillors Nathan Marshall and Bob Fisher, as well as sev- eral members of the com- munity, was started in hopes of organizing a fund- raising campaign for a potential splash pad here in town. Last week's meeting focused on the possibility of building the pad in Lions Park, and was attended by Lions president John Snell, as well as members Bill Scott and Bob Beutenmiller. Despite the committee's hope to combine the exist- ing pool area with a new splash pad, the team of Lions voiced some con- cerns, primarily due to the flooding which occurred just a couple weeks ago. "The last flooding left a residue almost an inch deep," said Beuttenmiller, who went on to explain that, depending on where the pad would be placed, water would have the potentional to run into the existing picnic pavillion. "When it's all covered in mud from flooding, who would be looking after it?" he added. Who would be taking care of the structure was a common concern for the Lions. As it currently stands, Beuttenmiller takes on the majority of work when it comes to the park and pool, a service he wouldn't be able to do for the splash pad. President Snell expressed his concern over who would be footing the bill, as the club is already stretched to it's maximum as far as funding. "Unless the town has 100 per cent support behind this, how's it going to fly?" he asked, concerned at the amount of fundraising required for such a project. "Right now our club is maxed just doing what we're doing. We have no one else to look after it and no one to cover the cost. If you're expecting the park and pool staff to take care of it, that's not going to happen." The committee assured the Lions members several times they were not seeking financial support from the club, but cooperation in allowing the pad to be built in the park. "We would totally be lost without all the work the Lions do," said Coun. Mar- shall. "This is still a work in progress and what we're try- ing to determine is if the Lions Club has zero interest in a splash pad being there, or if they're open to further research and investigation." In response, Snell said the club would consider it, as long as the committee would be handling the cost, despite his own objections. acdre FeemiAi Wrap up ike 7650 Party! ay August 1 0 1:00-4:00pm @ Clinton Raceway CLINTON cThank you! From Will and Claire, and Canadian Tire .7 Jumpstart Charities.! Over $40,000 has been raised from the cross Canada bike! Loonie raffle proceeds from the day will be added to this total giving more kids a sporting chance. umpstart Giving kids a sporting chance. "If your group wants to do all the fundraising for it, we would consider it," he said. "But in my personal opinin, and I don't speak for the rest of the club, I wouldn't have any interest in having this at Lions Park." Coun. Marshall explained he sees a poten- tial splash pad as more than just a fad, but as a way to promote local keep fami- lies to stay in town, instead of looking for activities out- side Seaforth. "I sit here as a parent who's looking for more out of our town," he said. "What we're suggesting, or trying to do, is keep people in town by putting something like this here. In my head, it makes sense to have it at the Lions pool where peo- ple are already in bathing suits and ready to be in water." Members of the commit- tee would like to see the water feature in the park is due to the belief two sepa- rate water centres in Sea - forth probably wouldn't be ideal for the community. Having the splash pad away from the pool, especially for those with young and older children, could prove to be a challenge as far as spending time together. "Every other community is looking at, or has built one," said Coun. Fisher. "So if this project can meet the needs of the Lions, the will is there, it's just the matter of finding a way." Part of Clinton Raceway's Family Day 4( Mascot Race 4( Face Painting Bouncy Castle FREE HOT DOGS! Courtesy of Pillers Loonie raffle for 2 kids bikes! 4( Meet & Greet with Will & Claire 147 Beech St. Clinton I www.clintonraceway.com Post Time 1:30pm