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The Lockwood Memorial Field and Park Renewal has begun in Westport!

The current and previous Village of Westport Councils gave strong support to developing Lockwood Memorial Field and Park into a place that will welcome everyone and be inclusive for people of all ages, all mental and physical abilities and where they can enjoy a peaceful day or one full of activities with family and friends.

The plan for the revitalization of the park is built upon the results of the Lockwood Memorial Park survey completed in 2014, which had a significant return rate of 35%,  and includes:  a walking path, stage area for the arts and family gatherings, spray pad for children, ageless playground/fitness area, Cenotaph relocation with a memorial walk, basketball court, improvements to the baseball field, picnic and leisure areas and gardens.  This plan was approved by Council earlier this year and has been used to apply for provincial and federal grants and in correspondence from the Mayor to Lockwood Foundation asking for funding.  The planning considerations for the government grant applications require the park to be open 12 months a year; to be accessible for people of all ages, all physical and mental abilities and all community groups; and that future arts, leisure and tourism events and programming can occur.

Over the next 6 weeks, the final steps in the demolition of the tennis courts and shuffleboard will be completed in Lockwood Memorial Field and Park.  Last Thursday, the new owner of the shuffleboard fencing removed it and the tennis court fencing owner will do the same by Labour Day.  The Village is tendering for removal of asphalt in the tennis and shuffleboard courts as well as for the construction of the walkway around the park.  This work will be completed in 2016.  Plans are proceeding to move the cenotaph in 2017 from its current location in front of the fire hall to be front and centre inside the Memorial Gates at the George Street entrance to Lockwood Memorial Field and Park.

The Village is applying for federal and provincial grants for sources of revenue. However, so far the renewal of Lockwood Memorial Field into a park that we all can enjoy is being funded through donations.  Generous donations.

The Lockwood Foundation has committed $100,000 to the Village over the next 4 years.  In 2016, they have given $25,000.  The Village needs to raise additional funds in 2017 – 2019 to receive the rest of the grant money. The continued support from the Lockwood Foundation is deeply appreciated and vital to building a sustainable park.

Individual donations from community members are helping move the projects along.  To date, donations of $1,000 have been received from Kim and Rick Bonner, The Cove Country Inn and Robin Jones.  Rob and Marianne Roberts and Seasons of Westport have helped out with $500 each.  David Egan provided architectural support and you will see his work in the professional drawing of the renewal plan for the park.

Moving the Cenotaph is the Village’s Sesquicentennial Project, a decision supported by Branch 542 of the Royal Canadian Legion.  The relocation of the cenotaph will help us remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we enjoy the freedoms we have.  A generous donation from Gregory and Susan (Hamilton) Guichon of $10,000 covers 50% of moving the cenotaph to its new location inside the Memorial gates.  Mr and Mrs Guichon have become involved in the Village, helping out in a variety of ways and picking up where Dr Hamilton left off.  In particular, this donation from the Guichons, which will help move the cenotaph to a prime location in the park, builds upon the deep Hamilton family service to Westport.  Dr Hamilton helped shape the Village of Westport through his unfailing dedication and service to the Westport area from the early years of the 1900s until his death in 1955.

How can you help with the renewal of Lockwood Memorial Field?  For the month of August, Kudrinko’s Country Grocer will be holding a Twoonie Month.  Your cashier will ask if you would like to donate $2 to the park.  Please consider helping.  You could ‘Be the Spark – in Lockwood Park.’  Thanks Neil and Martha!

To see a diagram of the plans, you can drop by Town Hall or the front display panel outside of the Arena. There will be an Open House in the next couple of months to provide you with further information.

If you have any questions about the Lockwood Memorial Field and Park renewal, please contact the Councillor of your choice or Mayor Robin Jones.

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Village of Westport Committee of the Whole Meeting tonight

Tonight’s agenda for the Committee of the Whole Meeting has a variety of items that will interest you.  Ken Rose and PREVENT ANOTHER WESTPORT STRAY (PAWS) is scheduled for a 10 minute delegation to provide an update on what PAWS has accomplished in regard to the Westport stray cat population.  A new by-law to allow designated staff to conduct inspection of properties for the purpose of determining compliance with municipal by-laws will be discussed.  A new performance management policy and procedures for municipal staff is also on the agenda.  7:00 at Town Hall.

In my last post about grant opportunities for the WWTP, I said I would keep you updated on any announcements from the federal government.  No news yet.

The Village of Westport web site is launching its interactive calendar this week.  Our goal is to incorporate as many of the activities in the Village as possible – so that everyone is using one calendar.  Watch for an announcement and a submission form to get your information on the calendar.

 

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Village of Westport – new web site

Great news, everyone!  You spoke.  We listened.  Here is the result.  Check out the new look and design of our new web site.  We hope it is easier to find information and it is certainly a more colourful site.  Some pages are still under construction, however we wanted to go live now and catch up those other pages later.

Check out the new Vintage Westport page – thanks to Christine Janeway for her meticulous research and fascinating photos.  A big shout out to Niki Bresee – for her efforts to bring the new web site from a concept to a reality.

Please give us some feedback if there are features you would like to see or if something is not working for you on the web site.

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Christmas Magic Begins in Westport

Tonight’s “Hop and Shop” was a wonderful event.  Despite the rain, the   Village was “hopping” as people were “shopping”.  Lots of stores stayed open and the business owners I spoke to said it was a positive event for them.   It takes lots of people to make something like this happen, but a huge shout out to Cynthia Pringle and Martha Kudrinko.  Great leadership, ladies.

The Judges from the Westport Arts Council were out tonight, spending time in front of 18 businesses that had entered the “Windows of Distinction” competition.  Yes, there is a winner – but you will have to wait until tomorrow when the announcement is made during the parade.

The excitement for tomorrow’s Santa Claus Parade, hosted by the Westport Lions Club, continues to build.  The weather looks sunny and it should be a perfect day to join in or watch the parade.   Many volunteers have spent time getting floats ready, practicing with their music and getting their costumes made.  Come and join in the fun.  It all begins at 2:00 p.m.

When the parade is over, the choirs from the Westport churches will be moving throughout the downtown singing Christmas Carols.  Please sing along.  The day’s Christmas fun finishes at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum, with the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Town Hall Councillors will be serving hot apple cider across the street from the museum.

Let there be no doubt, the Christmas spirit is alive and well in our Village.