Town of Shelburne to Help Raise a Barn for Fiddle Park

April 29, 2016 · 0 Comments

Greg and Heather Holmes of Holmes Appliances – and organizers of Pickin in the Park – approached the Shelburne Council on Monday seeking financial support from to assist with developing a structure at Fiddle Park.

Mrs. Holmes addressed the council, saying “we would like to thank the Town staff for submitting an application to the Ontario Trillium Grants Program in hopes of receiving grant money to complete the project we have been working towards for the past three years.

“As no grant money was approved, we are back to request financial commitment from the Town of Shelburne to proceed with the erection of a structure in the park.”

“As organizers, we are willing to continue with this event, providing we have the volunteers and the support of the Town of Shelburne,” she continued. “Pickin in the Park has steadily grown since conception, and has now outgrown the tents which have been used for the past years. The rental of a large tent and stage will cost upwards of $10,000 yearly, eating up a large portion of the profits. This would become the largest expense of the weekend; however, it cannot continue with the current facilities.”

Mrs. Holmes then got to the point of the presentation, adding, “As the Ontario Trillium Grant did not come through, we are asking the Town of Shelburne to cover the financial shortfall of building plans, with anticipation that construction could proceed immediately, and be complete for 2016 Pickin in the Park Festival in July.”

“By adding another structure to Fiddle Park, the park will now become more attractive as a rental option for events such as Canada Day, car shows, Scouts and Guide Programs, camping events, Music Shows/Festivals, RV rallies, and would also be an added benefit to sports tournaments that may require camping resources within our community, attracting people to Shelburne.”

After very little debate of the added value the structure would add, and after some financial discussions, it was confirmed that Pickin in the Park was looking for funding in the amount of $62,000; the same amount that had been asked for when the Town of Shelburne applied to the Ontario Trillium Grants Program to raise the pole barn.

A motion was unanimously passed by council to front the monies not received from the Ontario Trillium Grant in order to construct the pole barn.

This money will be paid back over an undetermined amount of time from proceeds collected at the Pickin in the Park Festival, as well as any donations or grants that become available.

“We are hopeful that the pole barn will be erected by this year’s Pickin in the Park, being held July 21 to 24 and we have designed the pole barn with future development considerations such as sides and a cement floor, to name a few,” Greg tells us.

At this time, Greg and Heather Holmes are looking for more volunteers to help with such things as park clean-up over the weekend, people to man the gates and nightly fires as well as people to scoop ice cream for the ice cream social that is held both afternoons at the event.

For more information on Pickin in the Park, please contact Greg or Heather at Holmes Appliances and Music Store at 519-925-3037.

By Michelle Janzen