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Work to start on Lewis Parkette
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Elmer Lewis Parkette took place Monday afternoon. Port Dover Board of Trade’s parkette committee chair Connie Lawton told the gathering of Norfolk County and Board of Trade officials as well as citizens including Alice Lewis and members of her family, saying “we are happy for this official start of construction. I know everyone will enjoy the Elmer Lewis Parkette.” She thanked her committe members, being, project manager John Baker and his assistant Richard Grace, Kathy Smith, Judy Porter, Bridget Brown, Grayson Coady, Milly Coulthart.
Peter Slaman, a volunteer of the Ontario Trillium Foundation told the gathering a grant of $25,000 for the parkette had been approved.
Norfolk County Mayor Dennis Travale and Alice Lewis each had a hand on the gold coloured spade to start the work. The mayor commented the park project “is a tremendous accomplishment.”
Board of Trade President Andrew Schneider told the gathering of about 60 people “this is another project to keep Port Dover as it is and perhaps even a little bit better.”
MPP Toby Barrett’s representative, Bobbi Ann Dwornikiewicz, brought greetings and congratulations from Mr. Barrett who had to be at Queen’s Park at this time.
Ora Powell spoke on behalf of the family, saying “we really appreciate this honour for our dad. We cannot express our gratitude enough.”
The gathering was reminded that during the past 10 months the volunteer members of the parkette committee have been raising the total $100,000 cost of the installation. Local businessman Elmer Lewis and his wife Alice had operated a supermarket on the site throughout their working years. Mr. Lewis passed away on November 14, 2006.
At its meeting last evening (Tuesday, after The Maple Leaf’s press deadline) Norfolk County Council was expected to approve a cash flow for the project until scheduled funding is available.
The parkette committee’s revenue sources are: cash on hand $50,000; commitments not received $13,000; in-kind contributions not received $22,000; future fundraising events $15,000.
It will be noted no tax dollars are involved in the parkette’s creation.
The estimated construction and material costs are: paving stones and compass rose plaza $15,000; decorative fence and archway $15,000; concrete edging and paving $25,000; planters and planting beds $20,000; furnishings, light standards, benches $14,000; finance charges (if applicable) $1,000; water and electrical services $10,000.
The Elmer Lewis Parkette is situated on property belonging to Norfolk County. Half of the land purchase price was paid by Port Dover Board of Trade. When the parkette construction is completed its ongoing operational costs will be the responsibility of the County of Norfolk.
-- Wednesday, May 9, 2007
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