June weekend proves popular at council

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Council received two deputations at Monday morning’s meeting from people looking to use the same weekend in June for major events.

Tanya Joy Senior appeared before council, supported by Dana Middleton of the BIA, to receive permission to hold another Springfest music festival in the downtown area. She said Springfest would run from June 12 - 14, and asked that Brock Street be closed between Church Street and Toronto Street for four hours on June 14. She said retailers could set up sidewalk sales, and apart from the music there would be a number of fun activities.

Next came a pitch from Rick Brooks of BWG Events Group for permission to hold another RibFest in Elgin Park, with the USS football team benefitting from the proceeds.. This event would be held June 13-15.

Brooks asked for RibFest to set out about 75 signs around the town to advertise the event. Brooks also asked that RibFest be given a reduced rate on the rent, opining that the rent for Elgin Park is too high. Popp said he was comfortable with the rent charged for special events.

"We have to think about the taxpayers," he said.

For the Springtide event, council offered that it was “there to help,” and Barton said he liked that the upper part of Brock St. was considered for closing, as it was less strategically challenging than Lower Brock.

For the RibFest event, council motioned to support the event, and suggested that a “synergy” be found with the Springtide event to ensure that both events were successful.