WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Arthur B. Cobb may have died 18 months ago…but he will forever be immortalized at one of his favourite places.
Mr. Cobb, who died on Nov. 26, 2016, was the man behind the development of the Cobden Tourist Booth at Veterans Memorial Park in Cobden.
Last year, Dean Sauriol, who had been chief administrative officer for Whitewater Region, asked that the tourist booth be named to honour Mr. Cobb. At that time, the township had no policy to name buildings after people, but have since developed a policy.
On Wednesday morning, May 30, a replica of a plaque to be placed on the wall of the Cobden Tourist Booth was unveiled. The plaque’s title reads: The Arthur B. Cobb Building Tourist Booth at Veterans Memorial Park in Cobden.
Many people gathered in front of the building for the unveiling, including Mr. Cobb’s widow Beverley, their daughter Maryann Vanderwal and their sons, Jim, Paul and Larry with his wife Liz and son Con
nor.
Prior to the official speeches taking place, Whitewater Region Community Services Manager Jordan Durocher welcomed everyone.
“It’s a special day as we rename this building in memory of Art Cobb,” he said. “There’s also another reason it’s a special day. It’s Mrs. Cobb’s 84th birthday.”
Mr. Sauriol was first to the podium.
“I would like to congratulate Whitewater Region and its council on the honour that it has bestowed on Art Cobb with the naming of this beautiful tourist booth building to the Arthur B. Cobb Building,” Mr. Sauriol said.
This booth has provided information to visitors for more than three decades. The original booth was very small, he recalled. In the mid-90s, Mr. Cobb put his efforts into the establishment and the creation of the current tourist booth.
“He lobbied the provincial government of the day and ultimately received funds to build the tourist booth,” Mr. Sauriol recalled.
“Art loved this park and its beauty,” he said. “I can assure you that all of us in the municipal office knew that when Art asked for something for the park or tourist booth that the word no was never an option. Art just wanted to know when,” bringing laughter from those gathered.
Mr. Cobb, who lived across the street from the booth, spent much time running back and forth to the park, doing various jobs, such as panting picnic tables and benches, organizing the upkeep of the booth and park and keeping the paraphernalia up to date.
It was also Mr. Cobb who had the unique vision of having seniors from the community provide assistance to tourists visiting the booth.
“Art absolutely loved organizing the senior volunteer brigade,” Mr. Sauriol said. “He was very proud of this group and he always praised the knowledge and dedication of this group.
“Anytime Art had an opportunity he would always boast that he had the best group of travel agents which provided the best service and directions to Whitewater Region and the county.”
Naming the booth in honour of Mr. Cobb “will forever remind us of Art’s relentless commitment to the well being of this beautiful property,” Mr. Sauriol ended.
Councillor Cathy Regier was also on hand to speak on behalf of Whitewater Region.
“Arthur was involved in municipal politics and served as a council member in the former village of Cobden and Township of Whitewater Region between 1991 and 2010,” she said.
He was a driving force behind the establishment of the tourist booth and devoted valuable time as its co-ordinator, working to ensure its effective operation and to maintain a dedicated volunteer program, many of whom were in attendance for the unveiling.
“He was involved in every aspect of the booth, including promotion, scheduling, maintenance and materials,” Coun. Regier said. “The tourist booth would not have been possible without his vision and dedication.”
Mrs. Cobb wasn’t left out of the accolades.
“I often say behind every good man is a greater woman and Beverley, we all know how much you assisted Arthur and how very involved as an active volunteer you continue to be with the tourist booth,” Coun. Regier said.
Representing the family, son Larry thanked council for agreeing to honour his father.
“I know Art would be thrilled, especially having the War Memorial on that side and 427 Squadron Memorial on that side,” he said. “I think he would be honoured by that.”
He thanked Mr. Sauriol for proposing the tourist booth be named after his father.
Mr. Cobb also thanked the volunteers and those attending the unveiling.
“Art would like to thank all the volunteers,” he said. “At the end of the day, this is a building, but it’s the people who are here that make the difference in providing information to the public, for promoting the region itself and the businesses in it.”
He noted his father had worked for TD Bank and its motto is People make the difference, and that’s true … in this case it’s the volunteers who make a difference.
Mr. Durocher then invited everyone to a luncheon at Ross Presbyterian Church.
