Category: News 2018

Cobourg launches Start Here program

John Draper

With the slogan “Cobourg has it all but welcomes more”, the Downtown Coalition launched its marketing campaign to sell the merits of opening a business Downtown.  Funded partly by the Province, it was initiated as part of the Downtown Vitalization Program and called the Business Attraction Marketing Plan (see link below).  Cooperating in the plan are the DBIA, the Town’s Economic Development Department and the Chamber of Commerce. The program includes a new website (www.startherecobourg.ca), many videos and a facelift for several stores using window wraps – starting with the empty “Sarby’s” opposite Victoria Hall.  There will also be a social media campaign. The announcement of the launch started today in the Old Bailey courtroom and moved to King street where… Read complete articleCobourg launches Start Here program

Sidewalk Priority Policy questioned

John Draper

A year ago, the Town of Cobourg planned to build a sidewalk on Abbott Boulevard but the residents there objected and no new sidewalks were constructed in 2017.  To resolve the impasse, staff were instructed to create a policy which would rank the priorities of new sidewalks to be built.  A comprehensive policy using complex algorithms was approved by Council for this purpose on April 30 this year but it seems that the residents on Northwood Drive didn’t read the policy so did not notice that a sidewalk on their street was ranked number one (see links below).  On June 11, Council approved a motion to proceed to build the sidewalk on Northwood Drive (per the policy) so notifications were… Read complete articleSidewalk Priority Policy questioned

Where has Marie Dressler’s picture gone

John Draper

Because the Victoria Hall Volunteers didn’t like the picture of Marie Dressler in their meeting place, the Mayor had it removed from the Citizen’s Forum.  But Rick Miller, chair of the Marie Dressler Foundation, thinks that “as a part of Cobourg’s history, Marie Dressler should be honoured with a photograph in the Town’s national historic building”.  After all, the building belongs to the Town and its citizens and pictures should reflect the Town’s history and heritage.  One group should not have a veto over what is displayed.  On Monday night, Rick made a presentation to Council on this point.  What if he as a citizen didn’t particularly like the portrait of Lenah Fisher?  Would it then be removed?  Why then… Read complete articleWhere has Marie Dressler’s picture gone

Canada Day in Cobourg – 2018 Details

John Draper

This year, Canada Day is on a Sunday so the parade will start at 1:00 pm and not noon as usual.  The route will be the same, from five corners to Victoria Park along King Street.  Speeches will start at 2:00 pm in the bandshell and they will be followed by entertainment with the usual fireworks over the harbour at 10:00 pm.  The Midway will be located this year in Victoria Park in the South East corner.  This is because the pier is subject to an engineering review with expensive repairs likely needed.  Once again the Lions area will not charge for entry and the Rotary Arts and Crafts show will charge $5 for a day pass. Below is a… Read complete articleCanada Day in Cobourg – 2018 Details

Second Annual Gay Pride Parade

John Draper

Cobourg’s Gay Community organized a Gay Pride Parade (or march) along King Street today (Saturday June 23).  Ashley Bouman (of the Cobourg Chapter of PFLAG and Pride Northumberland) and Kim McArthur-Jackson (Co-founder of the Cobourg Queer Collective) were pleased with the turnout – about 50 people participated.  Police helped by clearing the roads for the march and DBIA Chair Adam Bureau was supportive and also participated.  As well as four regular Police and one from the Auxiliary Police, five high school students from the Youth in Policing Initiative were also there.  The event started in front of Victoria Hall with some speeches by Ashley, Kim and Adam; they then marched down King to Church and finished at the “Gathering Place”… Read complete articleSecond Annual Gay Pride Parade

East Pier Engineering Assessment

John Draper

In February, the Town closed the East Pier to vehicles because of “the appearance of voids in the asphalt surface. These voids are indicative of water infiltrating the underside of the pier and removing the supporting fill material. Without conducting an engineering inspection we cannot confirm that the pier is capable of supporting vehicles and our first priority is safety.”  Three Engineering consultants were asked to provide quotes to assess the condition but staff said that “it was not possible to compare the prices as each company was proposing a different approach.”  They were then asked to respond to a clarified scope of work but only Shoreplan responded.  Their quote was $48,793 and Council will be asked on Monday to approve awarding them the… Read complete articleEast Pier Engineering Assessment

Cooey Collectors Day

John Draper

If you are familiar with Cobourg’s history, you’ll know that Cooey had a factory in Cobourg at what was then called Factory Creek on the corner of King West and Tremaine.  A park is now being established there and is called Cooey park.  The factory manufactured rifles which were known for their safety and quality but the business was sold to Winchester in 1961 and manufacturing moved out of Cobourg in 1979.  But Cooeys have not been forgotten and the Cobourg Trap and Skeet Club in conjunction with the Northumberland Pistol and Revolver Club are holding a Collectors Day on July 7th at their location on Highway 2 at Theatre Road.  It will feature vendors, a BBQ and displays of… Read complete articleCooey Collectors Day

Town to Sell Parking Lot on Queen Street

John Draper

Sounds dramatic but it looks like a good deal for everyone.  The developer who now owns the old run-down Curling building at 22 Queen Street wants to demolish that and build a 65 unit condo development that would also occupy the parking lot.  The development would have at least 155 underground parking spots which would include 64 publicly accessible “Green P” parking spaces to replace the current 64 spaces.  The building would be mixed commercial (6000 sq. ft.) and residential and the estimated value of project construction is $32M.  This requires that the Town sell the parking lot to the developer – and to include clauses to ensure that the deal is good for the Town and its citizens.  The… Read complete articleTown to Sell Parking Lot on Queen Street