Trenton Golden Hawks super fan Wayne Baril (R) gives John McDonald, G-Hawks director of operations and assistant general manager some money to go towards hosting the 2017 Dudley Hewitt Cup at the council meeting on June 6, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Quinte West council has given the green light to begin developing a master plan involving trails stretching from the Murray Canal to the Trent Port Marina.
Monday night, the municipality gave the go ahead to develop a Trail/Active Transportation Steering Committee, an Active Transportation Working Group, reporting to the committee, and a Waterfront Trail Working Group reporting to the committee.
The landscaping will be completed by local firm Wentworth Landscapes at a cost of $48,000.
“We are talking about the County Road 64 trail, from here down to Dead Creek and Kingfisher Cove, connecting from Fraser Park right down to that area,” mayor Jim Harrison said. “We have some land in there the city owns so we are hoping we can make a parking lot and people also use that trail walking down they can use and see it all and make it a nice experience.”
Airshow funding boost
The much anticipated Quinte International Airshow is getting a considerable boost from council.
The municipality put an additional $50,000 in the budget to help with the cost of policing. A staff report indicated that funds would come from the policing reserves. Mayor Jim Harrison said it wouldn’t come from those reserves however couldn’t outline where they would be drawn from.
“It could turn out the policing won’t cost that much,” Harrison said in an interview. “Or if we have more people it could cost us more. But we are banking on a good crowd and good weather and being prepared to make sure everybody is safe.”
Quinte West OPP Inspector Christina Reeve told council that there would be numerous traffic control officers, along with motorcycle officers and OPP marine and Coast Guard ship to help out for the two day show slated for June 25 and 26.
Quinte West mayor Jim Harrison and Deputy mayor Jim Alyea show off their new Trenton Golden Hawks jerseys that they received as a gift from the team on June 6, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Trenton Golden Hawks secure some funds for 2017 Dudley Hewitt Cup
The Trenton Golden Hawks have netted $25,000 of the $100,000 they were aiming for from Quinte West council.
The G-Hawks came to council a few months back requesting the funds to help with hosting the 2017 Dudley Hewitt Cup Championships.
“We didn’t have any additional money for 2016,” said Harrison “But as they progress onto to 2017 we will see how it goes.”
He pointed to his experiences traveling with the Hawks to the Dudley Hewitt and RBC cups and said he would like to see Trenton to even better than what he saw.
He said he’s hoping by next fall that they will include things into the 2017 budget.
During the meeting, John McDonald, G-Hawks director of operations and assistant general manager thanked council for their support throughout the 2015-2016 season adding the team and fans have become great ambassadors to Quinte West.
He touched on the sportsmanship shown by the team during the RBC cup in Lloydminster Alberta.
“It was a dream and I have to thank council because you made it come true for these young men,” he said. We didn’t make it this time but we sure as Hell will next year.”
Super fan Wayne Baril was also in attendance and spoke of his time experiences on the road with the Hawks.
“I saw a lot of great hockey,” Baril said excitedly. “Taking to Soo team out 4-0 – that was great.”
It was that win over the Soo Thunderbirds in Kirkland Lake where the Hawks claimed the 2016 Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A Championship.
Baril thanked the mayor, his wife Jane Harrison, the community and fellow fans who helped sponsor his trip to Llyodminster. Baril offered a special thanks you to Stu and Wendy Emerson who helped him purchase his plane ticket.
Afterwards G-Hawks officials handed out team jersey’s to council thanking them for their support.
Film Festival funding front and centre at next council meeting
The issue over whether or not to form a film festival committee or give $25,000 to two local film festivals for next year will be front and centre in two weeks.
Following the meeting mayor Harrison said council discussed the issue behind closed doors before Monday’s meeting.
Harrison said there were some issues with the decision and that the clerk thought it should be in camera.
“I can’t elaborate on it right now,” Harrison said. “I can just tell you that’s where it’s gone. I hope it’s right. It will be decided at the next meeting.”
Harrison said it would be one-time funding. Due to the fact it’s the 150th anniversary of Canada he added that’s why the municipality is looking at it.
