Published April 5 2016
By Angelica Ingram
There will be no shortage of fun in Wilberforce this summer as plans for a long-weekend carnival are in the works.
The proposal includes a three-day event to be held during the Civic holiday weekend from July 29 to August 1 organized by the Highlands East Fire Heritage Committee.
Called the Wilberforce Summer Carnival the event will be a fundraiser for the committee which is raising money to restore “Old Number One” a vintage fire truck.
In a letter to council committee chair Curtis Tighe outlined details of the weekend event which could include rides concessions games food and a concert planned for Saturday night.
“We have reached out to other groups that are fundraising in the community such as the Wilberforce Curling Club and the Wilberforce Legion and the Highlands East Fire Department to participate in this event to raise funds for their causes” wrote Tighe in a letter to Highlands East council. “Our hope is that this event becomes an annual opportunity for organizations to raise funds while the public has a lot of fun.”
A proposal was brought forward by the Fire Heritage Committee at the March 29 meeting of council requesting use of the baseball diamond and grounds in Wilberforce from July 25 to Aug. 3 free of charge. The areas will be used for the rides and concession.
The committee also requested fees for the rental of the Lloyd Watson Centre and arena be waived for the event as well as insurance for the three-day event be provided by the municipality with the exception of the rides which are covered by the operator.
“I got thinking if we could have an event where everyone could work together and everyone could raise some funds in the community why not?” Tighe told the Echo in an interview.
Tighe said plans so far include the fire heritage committee running the midway and organizing a concert for Saturday night a flea market and breakfast organized by the Curling Club and concession stands run by the fire associations.
The committee is looking at bringing in Gable Bros. to run the carnival with a pay one price and ride all day promotion for the Saturday said Tighe.
“It’s going to be similar to what Country Good Times used to be” said Tighe.
The fire heritage committee which is made up of 10 volunteers has raised more than $5000 to date. Their goal is $25000.
“We will have Old Number One at the carnival” said Tighe. “Once we get Old Number One restored my hope is that we have a parade with it leading the parade.”
Council accepted the proposal and approved the committee’s requests including free use of municipal facilities and insurance coverage.
Councillors also approved allocating staff time for cleanup logistics etc. Before during and after the event subject to availability and scheduling.
A refrigeration plant to the tune of $103750 plus taxes was approved for the Wilberforce Curling Club at the March 29 meeting of Highlands East council.
The tender to replace the refrigeration plant was awarded to Gordon Wright Electric Limited. It was the lowest tender the municipality received out of four options.
“This company has designed a system to operate on propylene glycol which is environmentally friendly and results in a much cleaner system and the piping that is visible in the mechanical room will be insulated and capped with white PVC covering” wrote property supervisor Jim Alden in his report to council.
The refrigeration plant has been included in the 2016 budget.
