Category: News 2018

Updates from Council Meeting – April 9, 2018

John Draper

There was one long debate about the Water Park and I will report on that on Tuesday, April 10 but there were also a number of other items that may be of interest.  Since it was a regular Council meeting and not a Committee of the Whole, any decisions were final and at the end of the meeting, Councillors made their Coordinator reports.  The “long debate” was contentious but all the other items were approved with very little debate. There were several by-Laws passed for developments plus three motions were approved – including a go-ahead for the Cultural Master Plan. Despite a presentation by Keith Oliver supporting the idea of a Town slogan that promoted Heritage, the existing slogan was approved… Read complete articleUpdates from Council Meeting – April 9, 2018

Vandyk moves forward with West Park Village expansion

John Draper

In the summer of 2014, Council gave initial approval to a Vandyk development expansion west of Canadian Tire (see map below).  Then in the Summer of 2016, Vandyk put 62 Townhomes and 10 semi-detached homes up for sale.  By the end of 2016 they were sold out and now they have asked council for approval of a “Pre-Servicing Agreement”.  That allows them to start work – finally.  Since the development is sold out, their sales office and model home are closed but their web site gives contact information (see links below).  Vandyk is a large developer with a presence in Brampton, Etobicoke, Sarasota, Mississauga, Shelburne and Oakville as well as Cobourg. The development is bordered by Canadian Tire, Carlisle Street… Read complete articleVandyk moves forward with West Park Village expansion

Cobourg Hosting Election Info meeting

John Draper

On April 24 at 7:00pm, Cobourg will be hosting an information meeting for anyone in Northumberland thinking of running in the Council elections in October. Not just Cobourg but Northumberland. It will be held in the Old Bailey Courtroom and if you want to go, you need to RSVP to Municipal Clerk Brent Larmer by emailing [email protected] or by calling 905-372-4301 x 4401.  There will be Ministry of Municipal Affairs representatives available to answer questions and they will make a presentation on what to expect if you are elected to Council.  Nominations will be accepted from May 1 through July 27 – that’s right, exactly when the Provincial election campaigning and voting will happen. In January 2017, Councillor Larry Sherwin… Read complete articleCobourg Hosting Election Info meeting

Cobourg’s Feel Good Night

John Draper

Otherwise known as Civic Awards night, everyone was in a good mood last night when the Civic Awards were handed out.  There were (by my count) 58 individual or team recipients.  The evening started with Town Crier Mandy Robinson who joked that she was glad the Town postponed the burying of the Time Capsule since otherwise (given the wind) with her voluminous gown, she risked being the world’s first flying Town Crier.  Then we had MP Kim Rudd making a short presentation followed by Poet Laureate Ted Amsden who read out a poem written specially for the occasion.  Before we started and at intervals during the awards, Paul Storms directed the Cobourg Concert band to provide musical entertainment.  Paul Allen… Read complete articleCobourg’s Feel Good Night

Waterpark to be ready for Summer 2018

John Draper

Although the most recent date for release of the Waterfront Study is now May 2018, one idea from it is going ahead.  On Monday, Council approved going ahead with a Waterpark based on the tender bid by Peterborough based ATL Distributing.  They will supply and operate a Waterpark made by Aquaglide.  At the Council meeting, they provided operational and financial details.  Once finally approved at next week’s regular Council meeting, the contract will be for 2 years with a 3 year extension available.  The Town will get 10% of gross revenues which are estimated to be $278K – so an estimated $27.8K/year will go to the Town.  Economic benefits include 8 local seasonal jobs (mostly lifeguards) and an increase in… Read complete articleWaterpark to be ready for Summer 2018

Lawn Bowling Club gets Federal Grant

John Draper

Today MP Kim Rudd announced that Cobourg’s Lawn Bowling club would be given $22,100 to help pay for some much needed equipment.  The money came from a fund called the “New Horizons for Seniors Program”. Kim said that as well as promoting “positive aging by supporting seniors’ volunteerism and encouraging seniors to play an active role in their communities” it is also “partnering with the community since organizations like this are community”.  The club applied for the grant about a year ago for their “Bowling for Life” project.  According to the club’s web site, it currently has about 100 members aged from 8 to over 90. However, it’s known to be mostly popular with seniors – that’s why the grant… Read complete articleLawn Bowling Club gets Federal Grant

Film and Book about Victoria Hall

John Draper

In October 2014, historian John Taylor announced that he would be creating a documentary film about the history of Victoria Hall (see links below).  He hoped to get a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts but it seemed they did not think a documentary film was art so his request was denied.  But now, he is planning a book and a 15 minute documentary and wants to use his own money plus raise $25,000 from donors. John currently lives in Vancouver and works in the film Industry but he previously lived in Cobourg and was Executive Director of the Society for the Restoration of Victoria Hall from 1971 to 1975.   At the Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting… Read complete articleFilm and Book about Victoria Hall

Updating 401 Signs about Cobourg

John Draper

Many people travelling  on the 401 pass by Cobourg but do not exit – not even to get gas.  There are several signs indicating services and attractions but the boundary signs are provided by the MTO and are free to the Town (the other signs are expensive – more below). Currently the MTO signs say: “Cobourg,  Population 17 500, 2 Interchanges” and are clearly out of date.  MTO allows the addition of a logo and a slogan or welcome message but these were not added at the last update.  All that is required to get the MTO sign changed is a resolution by Council so they are being asked to do that at their meeting on Monday.  CAO Stephen Peacock… Read complete articleUpdating 401 Signs about Cobourg