Fiddle Park dream taking shape

October 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

Greg and Heather Holmes’ dream for a permanent structure at Fiddle Park is starting to take shape and become a reality. The couple, who began the event in the summer of 2013, approached Shelburne Council with a business plan for the building at the October 19th Town Council meeting.
The plan estimates the cost to erect a pole barn with finished grade gravel at the park to be between 120,000 –125,000 dollars. This would include bringing hydro from the existing panel to the pole barn and lighting within the facility as well as wire and trenching. Heather Holmes told Council that with a partnership of Pickin’ in the Park organizers, the Shelburne Kinettes, the Town itself, and the possibility of a grant from the Ontario Trillium foundation, “this building would be a huge asset for the Town.”
“Our goal is to enhance Fiddle Park with a new building that will accommodate many uses,” said the couple in their delegation to Council. “For our current needs, it would house the entertainment sessions under a roof and, eventually, house an indoor venue for the entertainment sessions as well as other community events. Our plan is to see Pickin’ in the Park use the pole barn rather than erecting tents as we currently do. It will provide cover for other potential users wanting the area for their planned events.” The pole barn is proposed to be constructed without sides to begin, with walls to be framed in over time.
Pickin’ in the Park fundraising to date totals $30,000 largely through the efforts of the couple. The Shelburne Kinettes have made a generous commitment to raise an additional $25,000 in the next two years. The Holmes’ asked Council to direct Town staff to apply for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for the building. If that bid is unsuccessful, they asked the Town consider an interest free loan to the event for the remaining $70,000 required to construct the building. The Town would need to apply by November 25th to qualify for the grant to secure funds that would allow Pickin’ in the Park organizers to meet a spring 2016 construction goal. Council supported a motion to have staff undertake the process and promised to put the idea into 2016 budget discussions.
The Holmes’, owners of Holmes Appliances and Music Store on Main Street Shelburne, said they hoped the Town would “see this investment by the community as positive and supportive.” They noted that the Canada Day Committee was planning to move their celebrations to Fiddle Park in 2016. “This pole barn will be a great asset for the music related activities during the Canada Day celebrations,” said the Holmes. Mayor Ken Bennington, who supported the plan, thanked the couple for their efforts.

By Marni Walsh

Photo by Marni Walsh
Heather Holmes (right) speaks to Town of Shelburne CAO John Telfer after she and her husband Greg Holmes presented a delegation to Council asking for support for the Pickin’ in the Park endeavour to build a pole barn structure at Fiddle Park in Shelburne. The organization was supported by the Shelburne Kinettes represented at the meeting by Carol Egan (left.)