By Jenn Watt
Published Feb. 20 2018

TheBusiness Improvement Area membership gave enthusiastic support to aproject that would bring five sculptures to downtown Haliburton asearly as this summer.

Theidea was brought forward by Jim Blake curator of the HaliburtonSculpture Forest who asked the group to support a request for $5000to go to creating concrete bases for the sculptures along withbrochures a website and interactive map.

Theinitiative is a partnership with the Elora Sculpture Project whichwas created by that town’s BIA to put art into the downtown.

Eachyear a new batch of sculptures is chosen to be installed.

“Theynow have about 20 sculptures that they have in Elora and Fergus”Blake said during his presentation at the annual general meeting ofthe Haliburton BIA on Feb. 15 at council chambers.

Whilethe BIA creates the space for the art the artist is responsible forbringing and installing the work which stays up for six monthsbefore the artist takes it down again.

Artistscan sell their sculptures after that time if they choose.

“Here’san opportunity for us to actually have sculptures in the downtownarea of Haliburton. Something which will make it distinct from othersmall villages and we get to have a changing exhibit every year”Blake said.

MarilynFrost who was in the audience for the meeting asked whethercommunity groups or local businesses could sponsor sculptures.

Blakesaid that in Elora they pay the artists a small sum and that is donethrough sponsorship which includes the sponsor’s name on theplaque that accompanies the work.

Herecommended that Haliburton start with five sculptures and suggestedthat as long as all other permissions from the appropriateauthorities were obtained it could happen this summer.

Themembership voted in favour of the proposal.

JimFrost named BIA VIP

Activecommunity volunteer Jim Frost was honoured as the first recipient ofthe BIA VIP award at the AGM. Frost who was surprised with theaward was chosen for his work in making the village a better placeBIA chair Luke Schell said.

“We’reall aware of the absolutely tireless effort and good nature of thisperson” he said in his introduction.

Frostcan be found at most town functions typically in his Lions Clubattire alongside his wife and fellow community booster Marilyn.

TheSanta Claus parade is one of Frost’s passions and this year washighlighted as one of the best by Schell during his opening remarks.

Severalother awards were given out at the AGM:

TheBeauty of Spring Window Decorating

1stPlace – Hankook E Korean Cuisine

2ndPlace – Floyd Hall Insurance

3rdPlace – Castle Antiques

CanadaDay Window Decorating

1stplace – Dawson Gray Accounting

2ndplace – Kosy Korner

3rdPlace – Walker’s Home Hardware

Paintthe Town Red Window Decorating

1stPlace – Pet Valu

2ndplace – Country Pickins

3rdplace – JoAnne Sharpley Source for Sports

Othernotes from the meeting

Themembership passed the 2018 budget which was about the same as lastyear Schell told the group. $5000 was moved from reserves inanticipation of the sculpture project and the annual levy frommembers is the same as last year at $47600. The flower budget is$9500 which includes purchase of the plants and maintenancethroughout the summer. Colourfest receives $4800 decorations$3600 administration $6450. The total budget is $52600 for theyear. Financial statements from 2017 were not ready at the meeting.

Thelast year was successful for the BIA Schell told the group. Amongthe highlights: an updated website a $25000 donation to theskatepark the “best ever” Santa Claus Parade Midnight Madnessstreet party fall decorations Colourfest shop local initiativesand window decorating contest.

Concernsraised during the meeting included what will be done with the emptylot when the skatepark moves from beside the library on Maple Avenueto beside the arena. Schell also brought up the space that will beleft when Home Hardware moves from the corner of Maple and Highlandto their location on County Road 21.

DysartMayor Murray Fearrey gave a short speech in which he thanked the BIAfor their contribution to the skatepark which should be completethis spring. He said growth in assessments was four per cent whichis among the highest in Ontario.

Fearreywas asked about the money coming through the provincial downtownrevitalization program. He said that most small towns were receiving$41000 and in Haliburton the money would be used for improvingwalkways in Head Lake Park and to the school banners on the mainstreet and replacing paving stones on York.