Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-02-21, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. Committee vows to fund NH Museum move Like the Town Hall Theatre in Wingham before it, the North Huron Museum may be relocated without tax dollars, if necessary, according to volunteers supportive of the move. Represented by Doug Kuyvenhoven, a committee interested in relocating the museum and keeping it operational spoke to North Huron Township Council during its Feb. 4 meeting. Kuyvenhoven’s family has offered the former train station in Wingham to the municipality essentially free of charge to house the museum. He told council that, if necessary, the committee would work to fund the move entirely, and council has reason to believe him: Kuyvenhoven was a big supporter of the town hall theatre renovation project. Kuyvenhoven said that, after council last dealt with the issue, a meeting was held at the Wingham branch of the Huron County Library to find members for the committee. There were various community groups in attendance, and approximately 25 people attending in total. “We are here tonight to ask council to consider creating a Wingham Museum committee of council with terms of reference to be worked out by staff,” Kuyvenhoven said. “The committee would do the planning, volunteering and fundraising associated with the move.” Kuyvenhoven said that the committee would do what the theatre renovation committee had done before it. “We can repeat the success of re- opening the Wingham Town Hall Theatre,” he said. “That was all accomplished with zero taxpayer dollars. Give us the opportunity for the creation of a community committee. We need you to support and empower us to do the job.” Council directed staff to research the committee’s creation, including creating terms of reference. After hearing the presentation from Kuyvenhoven, and a similar request from Andy McBride on behalf of the Howson Dam and Pond committee, Reeve Bernie Bailey commended both groups on their efforts. “It’s good to see volunteers turning out in this community again,” he said. “I’m so happy the volunteers are back.” By Denny Scott The Citizen Season-ender The Huron East Centenaires did their best to stave off elimination on Friday against the Ripley Wolves, but the Cents came up short with Ripley posting a 5-2 win. The loss was the fourth in a row in a series against the Wolves, ending the Cents’ post-season play. (Quinn Talbot photo) Announce your wedding for the community to celebrate. A newspaper clipping makes a great memento for your scrapbook and future generations. Send in a photo of the wedding couple plus a maximum 300 word write-up. Just $25 (including HST) (paid in advance). Your story will appear along with those of other couples who were married this past year in The Citizen’s February 28 Wedding Showcase feature. Deadline: February 22 Issue date: February 28 YOU DID IT! Show off those wedding photos in our Wedding Showcase to be featured February 28th with our special Bridal Section. 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 The Citizen Email: info@northhuron.on.ca YMCA usage holds steady through ’18 Usage of the Central Huron YMCA held steady in 2018 and its operators are again looking for funding from Central Huron Council to upgrade the facility. Leigh Cove, Lindsay Whitaker and Mike Ennis, all from the YMCA, spoke to council at its Feb. 4 meeting, looking back at a successful 2018 and looking ahead to the future of the location. Cove told council that membership held steady at the centre with 559 total members in 2018 compared to 555 total members the year before. Where the centre saw major gains, however, was in non-member participants, which could provide a bump in membership in the future. The centre had nearly 70 non-member participants in 2018, a robust number for Clinton, Cove said. She also told council that those at the centre have been impressed with its retention rate as well. Hoping to achieve a 58 per cent retention rate, the YMCA hit 60 per cent, exceeding that goal. Whitaker told council that the centre’s revenue was down in 2018 compared to 2017, dropping from $163,092 to $138,928, despite a larger contribution from Central Huron Council ($42,545 in 2018 compared to $35,233 in 2017). However, she said, in 2018, nearly $10,000 was reinvested into the site, which included repairs to the current radio equipment, replacement parts, preventative maintenance and new wellness accessories for the fitness centre. She said that again the YMCA would be asking for another $10,000 for capital funds for 2019. This money, she said, would go towards converting the existing Energy Zone space into a multi-purpose space used for functional training, new and existing group exercise classes, youth leadership courses and children’s programming opportunities. In addition, the YMCA personnel were requesting an extension of the Recreation, Arts and Sports Program (RASP) funding from the municipality. Since 2016, the municipality has provided $7,500 per year to aid children and youth participating in activities at the YMCA, regardless of their financial circumstances. The requests from the YMCA were referred to council’s upcoming budget deliberations, which will be taking place in the coming months. By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Go with your instincts and use the Classifieds today. The Citizen Classifieds 523-4792 • 887-9114 Shoppers with a nose for bargains head straight for the Classifieds. In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from cars to canine companions. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want, and it’s used by hundreds of shoppers every day. Sniff Out a Great Deal in the Classifieds. Have A New Addition? Call for prices and details 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy!