A pair of dedications are set to take place on WAMBO weekend in Wallaceburg.
Coun. Jeff Wesley said ribbon cutting ceremonies are planned at the downtown Wallaceburg parking lot and at the Stonehouse walking bridge on Saturday, August 13.
Wesley told the Sydenham Current it was important to hold both events during WAMBO.
“The parking lot directly benefits WAMBO and WAMBO was one of the reasons this work is being done due to safety… WAMBO also provides an opportunity to thank everyone in a public forum,” Wesley said.
“The bridge is also important to WAMBO as it joins the two sides of the river and allows a more united WAMBO across the water. Great projects for Wallaceburg, but also great projects for WAMBO.”
Wesley said both of these projects were a long time coming and required a lot of effort by many people.
“The parking lot is a tribute to Chatham-Kent staff working with the local businesses and the BIA, especially Karen Moran, and WAMBO,” he said.
“The bridge was on a divestment list and with huge community support and support from local businesses who volunteered material and labour, the bridge is now repaired and looking better than ever. I am happy to have played a role and been persistent in getting both of these approved with the support of the community and council. Getting projects like these funded is what being a local councillor is all about.”
Wesley and Wallaceburg’s other council representative Carmen McGregor will be the MC’s for both ceremonies.
Here are the details of both:
– Saturday, August 13 at 11 a.m. at the downtown parking lot: Grand opening of the new downtown parking lot, thanks to Chatham-Kent staff for their work and cooperation and also to Karen Moran and the BIA for their creativity with the new flower beds. Thanks to CK Council for the funding.
– Saturday, August 13 at 11:45 a.m. at the south entrance to the walking bridge: Grand opening and re-dedication of the Stonehouse Walkway. Thanks to the bridge volunteers, C-K staff, local businesses who offered to help with donations, current and former members of council for support and funding and the contractors who did the work.
“The bridge was on a list to be divested and would be left to rot basically,” Wesley said.
“The community and volunteers stepped forward, petitions were circulated, local businesses stepped up and offered free materials, services and ideas,” Wesley said, mentioning Keith Davis, Duchene Paint, Windsor Factory, Dick Primeau, C-K Building Supplies and Dave Elliot.
“Justifications for keeping it were presented and debated at council and the funding was secured. C-K staff then took over and did a great job getting it done. Former councillor Sheldon Parsons worked with me on the bridge and current councillor McGregor was supportive as President of the Chamber of Commerce. The bridge was a total community effort.”
Wesley added: “The parking lot was a great example of cooperation between CK staff, the BIA and WAMBO. The BIA, through Karen Moran, had some creative ideas they wanted added in and CK staff worked with them to get it done.”
The Wallaceburg Antique Motor and Boat Outing has a full slate of activities lined up for August 12,13 and 14.
Give WAMBO a ‘Like’ on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or visit www.wambo.ca for a full schedule and the latest updates.
