by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — The third annual Whitewater StreetStrut is expected to happen again, but it will be tweaked.
“We’ve hosted two events and consider them to be successful,” Community Services Manager Jordan Durocher told council at a meeting in December. “The weather was on our side thankfully, especially since an outdoor event could go sideways quickly.”
He noted there were more than 1,000 people attending each of the events in 2017 and 2018, and that’s not counting those who attended the free children’s event in the afternoon.
Mr. Durocher is recommending the event now be split, explaining that it may not be as profitable if the evening concert were moved from Cobden.
The afternoon event could be a great addition to an event happening elsewhere in Whitewater Region, such as Tour de Whitewater in Westmeath or Heritage Day in Foresters Falls hosted by the Whitewater Historical Society, he suggested.
“It will save on volunteer and staff costs if the afternoon entertainment were removed from the event,” Mr. Durocher said.
He explained that there are basically two contracts, one for the afternoon event and another for the evening’s concert.
“The rock concert has to practice prior to the event, which impedes the children’s entertainment,” he said.
He also suggested that the evening’s rock concert be a 19-years plus event, a suggestion from the liquor inspector.
“It could affect the bottom line in the number of people attending, but that will keep our security costs down,” Mr. Durocher said.
Councillor Charlene Jackson, who likes the idea of it remaining in Cobden due to the logistics, said many residents have spoken to her about StreetStrut, noting when it was introduced in 2017, it was to move from community to community – and that’s not happening.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay said in reviewing the event, it’s believed the “success of it depends on the location.
“It’s a tourism event, not a community event,” he said, adding, “We’re getting people from Renfrew, Pembroke and beyond, the highway location is what makes it a viable location.
“Moving it to Beachburg a week before the fair is not appropriate, and as a resident of Westmeath, I question if it would be successful.”
Coun. Jackson said not moving means it will never be known if it will be successful in another location.
Councillor Chris Olmstead said if the concert is to continue the way it is currently, it should remain in Cobden, but if it were to be scaled back, possibly it could be successful in Westmeath or Beachburg.
He noted when it was first suggested it be held in different areas of the municipality, residents were fine with it. However, having experienced two concerts, many of those same people have come back to him and said it should remain in Cobden.
Councillor Dave Mackay agreed, saying in Beachburg and Westmeath, the event would be held on people’s lawns, while in Cobden, with the exception of a few upstairs apartments, the business section of Cobden works well for hosting the event.
Reeve Cathy Regier said while she believes many local people do attend the evening concert, most of the people she spoke to while working the gate were from quite a distance away, such as Perth and Almonte.
However, she did agree, the afternoon entertainment and children’s events could be moved to “piggy-back on other events.”
Mayor Mike Moore suggested moving the event to the Cobden Park on Hwy. 17 where it’s expected a bandshell is to be erected.
However, the idea of holding such a large event adjacent to a busy highway was a concern of CAO Tremblay. And, that’s a discussion that could be held after this year’s event, as the bandshell will not be ready in time, he added.
Coun. Olmstead also had the same concerns. If it’s adjacent to the highway, there are many challenges that will be faced.
He also agreed that moving the afternoon event would benefit the township and area organizations.
Councillor Neil Nicholson said prior to becoming a councillor, he questioned why this event was being created and when he heard it would be held in various communities throughout Whitewater Region, thought it was great.
“It’s an unusual community event,” he said.
However, he now believes it would not be as successful if it were to go to another community.
However, why it would not be as successful has to be communicated to the residents of the township. He noted it wouldn’t be fair to compete with the Beachburg Fair and if it were to be held in Westmeath, it would only be successful if it were a country band, not a rock concert.P
This is a tourism event, which is an investment in the Whitewater Region community, Coun. Nicholson said.
If the afternoon program were to be relocated to another organization, there’s the potential for some funding, as it now costs about $3,500 for the children’s afternoon program, he noted.
CAO Tremblay said the budget for any organization’s event that takes on this program will be increased, he said. It could be added to the Heritage Day in Foresters Falls hosted by the Whitewater Historical Society or the start-up of a community barbecue in La Passe, he added.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin, who is not against the event, did have a concern.
“It scares me, because it’s all weather dependent,” he said. “We’re putting money into the event before it happens.”
While the last two years have been successful because the weather co-operated, it would only need one year to cripple the same event, he said. It’s scary that there is a $27,000 bill the township is paying until the money is recouped, but the money won’t be recouped if the weather doesn’t co-operate.
Mr. Durocher noted if the weather were to turn dark on the day of the event, the concert would be moved to the Astrolabe Arena. While it would be quite easy to move the concert, moving the children’s afternoon event would not be as easy.
Coun. Mackay noted the Beachburg Fair has an insurance policy that if he weather does not co-operate and there is a financial loss to the fair, it’s insured. He questioned if StreetStrut has a similar policy.
Mr. Durocher said no, but will look into it.
Council agreed to the three recommendations regarding Whitewater StreetStrut: It will continue to be held in Cobden; the day time program is to be moved to another community in the township to coincide with another event; and that a headliner be secured for this year’s event.
