There was nothing easy about the process, a process that has taken several years. But today (Thursday) at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the City of Belleville and the Belleville Agriculture Society allowing the city take over the lease of the fairgrounds property at Sidney and Bridge Street while the Agriculture Society will move to half of a 60 acre property purchased by the city on Black Diamond Road near Highways 401 and 37.
The Society will have a 50 year lease for a nominal fee.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk called it a win-win situation and a fresh start for both the city and the Agriculture Society.
Panciuk called it a “bold achievement” for this council but acknowledged all of the people involved and work done previously to reach what he termed an “historic agreement”.
“We didn’t give up despite the challenges in what were complicated negotiations. We could never let the agriculture society down. It’s the third oldest Society in Canada and next year will be its 200th anniversary. We arrived at this agreement because of hard work and mutual respect on both sides.
We don’t know what the Society’s property will look like 200 years from now but we do know that food and agriculture aren’t going anywhere and we will continue to honor our agricultural history in this community.”
The Mayor had special praise for Robert Jarrell Sr. who assisted the city in acquiring the land from the Boyce family. Jarrell is a Past President of the Society and an avid horseman.
Belleville Agricultural Society President Jamie Chatten also thanked the many people involved in the negotiations over the years. “We are excited about moving to the new location. It’s in a perfect area which is already agricultural or commercial/industrial. The folks living near the fairgrounds now won’t have to worry about noise anymore.”
The Society is also thrilled to be able to operate the grounds 365 days a year not just for a 4 day fair. As part of the agreement the city will build a large 37,500 square foot events building that will be available for horse, poultry, and cattle shows and will be available for rent to interested organizations.
Chatten said “it’s been tough for the Society to stay afloat lately, especially since harness racing shut down. We’ll have lots of opportunities coming for both the Society and residents for a long time at the new location”.
The Society also plans to build 2 pole barns near the main events building in the forseeable future. The annual Quinte Exhibition, complete with midway, is expected to return at the new site in 2022.
Mayor Panciuk stressed that the taxpayer wouldn’t be on the hook for any of the costs of the deal. “We’ll cover our costs easily by the sale of about 30 acres of commercial/industrial land next to the new Society property. There’s lots of interest in it and the agreement opens up the land for sale for commercial and residential use at Sidney and Bridge Streets as well”.
The Quinte Curling Club will remain where it is and 5 acres behind it will be set aside for a new YMCA.
Also speaking at the event were councillors Paul Carr and Kelly McCaw who had been part of the negotiating committee for the city along with MPP Todd Smith, MP Neil Ellis, Hastings County Warden Rick Phillips, and General Manager of the Ontario Association of Agriculture Societies Vince Brennan.
The Master of Ceremonies was Chief Administrative Officer Rod Bovay.
Photos of the current fairgrounds in Belleville’s west end from the Belleville Agricultural Society archives. (Photo: Quinte News)
