by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — “Wow, what an event,” were words used to describe Whitewater Streetstrut.
Jordan Durocher, community services manager for the Township of Whitewater Region, presented a report at last night’s council meeting on the one-day event that occurred as the municipality’s Canada 150 celebration in Cobden on July 15.
“It was well received by the community and it was a success, not only by the bottom line, but by the community itself,” he said.
Mr. Durocher provided a financial statement, showing a surplus of $9,136. There were expenses of $66,470 and revenues of $75,606.
In his report to council, Mr. Durocher had four recommendations, which were all approved by council: that the Muskrat Watershed Council receive $3,000; the remaining funds be reinvested for the 2018 edition of Whitewater Streetstrut; to approve proceeding with the 2018 edition, subject to 2918 budget consideration; and that Whitewater Streetstrut remain in Cobden for a second year.
Mr. Durocher said he believes July 15 was the only day it did not rain in July which made for fantastic weather, bringing out the crowds.
“We were surprised with the amount of people who came out,” he said. “We had thousands of people on the streets, both in the afternoon and evening.”
There has only been positive feedback, he added.
Social media helped ensure the event was a success, considering the tight time-line for planning the event, he continued.
However, he pointed out, what is not shown on the report, is the staff commitment to the event.
“Aside from council and volunteer commitment, staff put in approximately 300 hours of pre-event planning, 160 staff hours day of the event, and 15 staff hours post event,” Mr. Durocher noted. “These hours were not budgeted and not shown on the financial breakdown provided.”
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin said there can be no monetary value put on the number of people who attended the event and how much money was spent within the township.
“We have no idea,” he said. “I did some figures, and there was 1,500 to 2,000 people who came to Whitewater, and that’s not including the numbers during the day.
“When you come, you don’t come for nothing, you spend money,” he continued. “So, there was money brought into the community as well.
“To me, promoting our township, you can’t put a value on that.”
Mayor Hal Johnson had concerns about Streetstrut being held in Cobden again, considering it had been promoted the event would move to different areas throughout the municipality.
“We need to explain why we are not moving it and try to involve the other communities more, if we can,” he said. “I think the whole intent was to involve the entire township.
“I’m sure that was part and parcel of the last one.”
He congratulated the committee, knowing it started out with an idea by Councillor Chris Olmstead and was pulled off in record time.
“All of our staff worked hard and were dedicated to the cause,” Mayor Johnson said. “Because of that, I’ve heard comments from as far away as Peterborough, that they couldn’t believe that a town in Ontario could get its main street closed for an entire day to have such a respectable event.”
Coun. Olmstead also gave kudos to Reeve Terry Millar who was involved with the project from the beginning, and the arrival of Mr. Durocher, the new community services manager.
“Thank God Jordan came along, otherwise I’m not sure what we would have done,” he said. “Jordan turned the event into a first-class event.
“Jordan helped bring us into the new era of Facebook, twitter, and all the other social media.”
Speaking about the balance sheet, Coun. Olmstead said it was to be a break-even event as the township’s Canada 150 celebration.
“For us to make money is a win,” he said.
Explaining why the event should be in Cobden again, Coun. Olmstead said, things did work out well. There were 4,000 to 5,000 people throughout the day in Cobden and there was not one single hiccup.
As far as other areas, it’s been suggested that the committee help them with established events already, such as Tour de Whitewater in Westmeath; the Beachburg Jam; and the Pick ‘n’ Ride in Foresters Falls, he said.
It’s hard to entice businesses to come to the region, he said, and that’s what council should be promoting—getting people to come here.
“One of the things council can do is put on events to encourage people to come to our community,” he said. “People do come to the region because of the events.”
Councillor Dave Mackay said Cobden is different because it has a downtown core with businesses. Foresters Falls, Westmeath and Beachburg’s downtown cores have many private homes, he said.
Coun. Olmstead said that’s why the committee thought that helping the events that are already established in the other communities is pro-active.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said there were two groups that were critical to the success of the event – Muskrat Minor Hockey Association and the Cobden and District Civitan Club.
He suggested council also donate $500 to the Civitan club and the hockey association.
“They participated as full-blown partners, and by making that donation, we can encourage their ongoing participation and involvement in the event would be a good way of giving back for their giving back to the community,” he said.
Coun. Olmstead agreed that would be a great addition to the recommendation that was approved.
