Owners say they’ll put $2M into Pinestone

September 5, 2024

Aurora Group president Shawn Aurora has reaffirmed his company’s commitment to Haliburton County, saying he hopes to see demolition of the Wigamog Inn property completed by the end of 2024, and announcing a new $2 million investment at Pinestone Resort.

Aurora said it has been several years of reflection for the family-owned company, which primarily functions in hospitality and business management. He said, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aurora Group has done “more conserving than spending,” meaning many notable projects, particularly at Pinestone, have taken a back seat.

“We held back to make sure there’s liquidity [to cover] simple operating costs… we’re no different from the regular public. When everybody had a shortage of cash with the economy, and when everything was technically closed with COVID, we felt that too,” Aurora said.

“Now, we see light at the end of the tunnel.”

He said several rooms at Pinestone have been renovated over the summer, while around $1.5 million is being invested to make the property “more green,” Aurora notes, which he hopes will include the installation of solar panels, likely next spring.

There are also plans to break up and fill in the outdoor pool, making way for a new courtyard space that Aurora says would be ideal for weddings. Repairs to the indoor pool are ongoing, with the facility to reopen later this year, while the golf course has also seen some investment this summer.

All-in, Aurora pegs the Pinestone investment at approximately $8 million since 2015.

“What a lot of people don’t see is the underpinnings that are being replaced. Everyone sees the façade [and thinks the property is being left to rot] but they’ll start to see changes now because we’ve done a lot of the background work,” Aurora said.

Auroras ‘committed’ to redeveloping Wig

Addressing rumours of financial issues, fueled by an incident Aug. 23 where it was thought Hydro One had turned off power at the Pinestone property, Aurora said he wanted to set the record straight.

“Nothing was cancelled, nothing was turned off – it was more of an internal misunderstanding,” Aurora said, noting he typically deals with Hydro One head office for things such as bill payments, and not regional field offices, which, he claims, take a few days to have systems updated.

Tiziana Baccega Rose, spokesperson for Hydro One, said she could not comment on customer accounts, though noted service suspension is always a last resort.

Aurora said he had no concern about Aurora Group’s ability to pay its bills moving forward. “That’s why we conserved our liquidity over COVID, for these exact things,” he said,

MECP investigates

A near year-long Ministry of Conservation, Environment, and Parks (MECP) investigation into the demolition of the Wigamog Inn has concluded. The provincial entity has informed Aurora Group it must meet requirements outlined under the Environmental Protection Act for waste audits, waste reduction, and source separation of waste materials before work can continue. Demolition has been paused since June 2023. Shannon Simpkins, an MECP environmental officer, said Aurora Group is also obligated to meet certain requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

In a follow-up email to The Highlander, MECP spokesperson Gary Wheeler confirmed no charges had been laid as of press time. He said the ministry was still waiting for waste audit and species at-risk screening reports from Aurora Group.

“To date, some of the waste has been transferred to a ministry-approved waste facility, however more debris remains on-site,” Wheeler said. “Under the ESA, the owners are responsible for submitting a preliminary report to the ministry to determine whether or not they require a permit, should demolition plans continue.”

Wheeler said species at-risk that may be located in the area include the chimney swift, eastern whip-poor-will, Blanding’s turtle, bats, and eastern hog-nosed snake, though none are confirmed.

Aurora said an SAR environmental study was completed by consultant Pinchin and delivered to the MECP on July 2. He said Aurora Group is waiting for “the green light” from the ministry to resume work.

“Our contractors are on standby to complete the remaining demolition,” Aurora said. “Hopefully we get it done this year.”

One potential hold-up, he said, will be figuring out hauling leftover debris out of Haliburton County. He said a chunk of the materials will be recycled, with waste likely going to landfills in Toronto and Barrie.

At the Wig

Aurora said his team remains committed to redeveloping the Wigamog site. Shortly after purchasing the property in 2016, Aurora Group posted plans to its website for a new residential subdivision featuring 180-units, including condos, townhouses, and detached homes.

Speaking this week, Aurora said he believes the site could accommodate up to 500 units.

“The number one thing we hear from staff at Pinestone is there’s no housing. Everybody wants nice, decent housing that’s affordable and near to all outlets. This would, in my opinion, serve the community’s [best interests],” Aurora said.

Asked what other projects Aurora Group had completed in other communities, to show they’re capable of pulling off a project of that magnitude, Aurora said he’s currently working on converting a hotel in Barrie, and that his group has opened two Starbucks franchises in Ontario. He also pointed to the construction of a gas station in Guelph.

County begins work on five-year plan

Lisa Gervais

September 5, 2024

The work of determining County council’s priorities for the next five years is underway, with plans to ask residents what they want their municipal government to focus on between 2025 and 2030.

Councillors decided to scrap hiring a consultant to develop a strategic plan, and instead have County staff direct the process. A working group has been struck and CAO Gary Dyke, during an Aug. 28 council meeting, got the green light for the approach, timeline and general principles they would like to follow.

He noted the County does not have a strategic plan, although they have been talking about the need for one since 2022.

“Strategic plans are an excellent tool to guide staff and council, and inform the public about the direction of the municipality…,” Dyke said. “These plans consist of clear objectives, strategic actions and desired outcomes.”

As part of the plan, he said staff would assess the current state of the County, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. They’ll talk to residents, business owners, community organizations, councillors across the Highlands and municipal staff.

After all the talking, they will come up with a clear vision for the County with “specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound goal objectives,” Dyke said. He added they will build accountability.

They plan to talk to the community from about Sept. 23 on, via a digital public survey, and virtual or in-person meetings. They hope to bring the final plan to council next May. The budget is approximately $50,000.

Councillors weigh in

Warden Liz Danielsen said while the staff report was “excellent… I have to completely disagree with us going in this direction. I think this is an additional burden on staff.

They’ve all got full-time jobs and this has added to their jobs substantially.”

She added, “I think this is a process that needs, to some extent, to be done by independent bodies. In particular, I have concerns about the consultation portion of the process. I think sometimes it’s better to have an independent person doing the consultation as opposed to staffers talking to people in the public or organizations who already have preconceived notions about what the County should, or shouldn’t be doing.”

Coun. Lisa Schell agreed it is extra work for staff but said she did not think a consultant “would have been as detailed, as well thought-out and these people know us.”

Coun. Walt McKechnie has never been a fan of consultants, other than when “needed in areas we are not experts at. I think we’re the experts here. A consultant is going to spend most of his time talking to you and the rest of our council and the rest of our staff.”

Dyke said they are making work plan adjustments to accommodate the strategic plan.

Coun. Bob Carter questioned the scope of the work, including just one month for public consultation. He added “we need to hear from the public as to where we’re going. Do we have a desire that Haliburton County should grow to 25,000 people at some point, or try to grow to 50,000. Some rural communities have grown from 12,000 to 17,000 in a couple of years. Do we want that type of growth or do we want something different? Should we go out and get factories? What is it we want to do?” He believes the strategic plan should be integral to the vision.

Coun. Murray Fearrey added, “a lot of people would like to see tremendous growth, but we can’t keep up with the infrastructure. Who’s going to look at that? How do we keep up with hospitals, sewer, and water?”

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux said a “key potential challenge is how do you delineate a general vision for the future of the County, and what this building is able to achieve? If you went out to the community with general questions; what do you want to see? they might say we want the Minden ER to come back, we want a school further north, we want any number of other things that are great for our County but we have no particular control over and I just wonder if you’ve had an opportunity to think about what does that look like?”

Director of planning, Elizabeth Purcell, said any survey would “make it very clear what is within our control and purview within the County and what isn’t.” She added there would not be a lot of openended questions, allowing people to “go off on random tangents.” Dyke said there is room to discuss advocacy work by the County.

Carter said, “I think we need to be looking at the overall picture and situation. If people want us to have tremendous growth, we don’t have the infrastructure, don’t have the hospitals, schools, doctors, those become very important points when we start getting that strength and weaknesses analysis.

“When we get from the public that ‘hey, this is ideally where we want to go to’ and then we look at the strengths and weaknesses that we have, then is when we have to start tempering things, or trying to put pressure on people to change, whether it be school boards, or hospitals, whatever. There has to be a balance there of questions. We have to let people dream also… maybe a theme park is the way to go.

He was referencing a talk by Peter Kenyon at a Teeny Tiny summit in Minden in July, in which the speaker talked about the town of Kulin, in Australia, reinventing itself by building a water park.

Health Unit questions merger funding

Lisa Gervais

September 5, 2024

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health have written to the Ministry of Health to express concerns over funding for their planned merger.

They jointly wrote deputy premier and minister of health, Sylvia Jones, in early August. In late May, Jones indicated support for the two health boards’ plan to voluntarily merge.

“We continue to see this voluntary merger, when funded adequately, as an opportunity to improve the service delivery of public health for residents of our regions,” PPH chair Joy Lachica and HKPR chair David Marshall wrote.

However, they told the minister there are concerns about the province’s commitment to provide a specific budget for years two and three of the merger.

“This is needed for assurance that the province is fully funding the merger,” Lachica and Marshall said. They added the business case, and the funding proposal they submitted included a three-year budget.

However, they told Jones, “we have recently come to learn that a full three-year budget may not be approved at the outset. Instead, communication has indicated that an annual budget for fiscal year 2024/25 will be approved.

“Both boards of health passed resolutions stating an intent to merge was subject to sufficient funding being provided by the province. The communication that initial approval will be for only fiscal year 2024/25 has left both boards with uncertainty and concern at the province’s commitment to fully fund all merger-related costs for three years and whether municipalities could risk incurring increased costs in subsequent years.”

They asked for a three-year commitment and assurances for municipalities.

With that, they said they would proceed, otherwise, they have the right to withdraw from a merger. They added there is urgency, with a Jan. 1, 2025 ministry implementation date. They have asked for an answer by no later than early September. They further noted voluntary mergers were at the request of the province.

County coun. Cec Ryall represents the County of Haliburton on the HKPR district health unit board.

He told County council Aug. 28 that the health units last met Aug. 22 about the merger and, “the bad news is we received absolutely no comment from the ministry on where everything stood. We have no idea whether the funding will be approved or not. We have been alluded that it will.” He said there is another meeting scheduled for Sept. 5. (today). “We will see if we can drill down and get more information. Hopefully in the next meeting, we will have something.”

The boards announced Feb. 26 they would seek provincial approval, and funding, to voluntarily merge.

In August 2023, the Ministry of Health announced what it termed “plans to strengthen the public health sector” by offering one-time funding, resources and support to public health agencies deciding to voluntarily merge by Jan. 1, 2025.

The HKPR board were told by consultants in November 2023 that a merger could cost up to $3.5 million.

Joy Lachica, PPH board chair, told a Feb. 28 media scrum that several benefits had already been identified for the merger.

“Beyond strength in numbers… we’re looking at improved program expertise in specialist positions; cross coverage of staff and improved succession planning; enhanced strength of central corporate service functions; better surge capacity and resiliency, which, hopefully, will lead to less burnout for future public health emergencies,” she said.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, HKPR medical officer of health, said the two entities had committed to continuing all existing programs through the merger process. Bocking said the new entity would serve approximately 345,000 people. There would be no immediate staff cuts, with HKPR currently employing around 170 people and PPH 130. Bocking added, “this merger allows us to bring the strengths of each organization and look at how we can maintain our services and add to them.”

Councillor wants safer Minden crosswalk

Lisa Gervais

September 5, 2024

Minden Hills coun. Shirley Johannessen has asked staff to investigate the possibility of flashing lights for the pedestrian crosswalk at Water Street and Bobcaygeon Road in the downtown area.

She would further like the public works department to consider signage to let motorists know of other roads that provide access to Hwy. 35.

She made her comments at an Aug. 29 council meeting.

While thanking staff for making a longer stretch of Water Street a community safety zone, and installing mobile speed devices, Johannessen said she is worried about pedestrian safety across the downtown.

“The area where Water Street and Bobcaygeon Road meet has been an incredible eye-opener this summer,” she said. The councillor added there is probably a road safety report in existence for the busy intersection, but it likely needs updating.

“The (vehicle) back-up on Water Street has been concerning. The safety of pedestrians is our first priority. Currently, they are beelining it across the courtesy crosswalk to get to the other side for safety. Can we not install flashing, dedicated lights for the crosswalk?”

Johannessen, who works at the nearby Dominion Hotel, added, “the honking and yelling of near hits and misses has been disheartening. We need to make it safe for people visiting the downtown core.” She added directing people to other roads to Hwy. 35 would lighten the load on the downtown core.

Director of public works, Mike Timmins, said he was not opposed to flashing lights but the discussion would have to go to the 2025 budget. He feels it would be “pricey” but is willing to come back with budget estimates.

The councillor also wanted clarity on fire hydrant replacement along Hwy. 35, noting water would have to be turned off to businesses.

Timmins said he and a representative of the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) had visited nearly every Hwy. 35 business to inform them of the works expected to take place over the next month. He said they would do their best to keep businesses up-todate and minimize disruption.

On Tuesday, the township said water main maintenance is happening Thursday, Sept. 5 along Hwy 35. The affected area is expected to be from Booth Street to the end of the water main north of County Road 21. Addresses 84-90 Water St. may also be affected. Residents and businesses in the affected area may experience reduced water pressure or a complete loss of water for a short period of time. The water shutdown is planned to take place early in the day to limit disruption to businesses. Township staff will make every effort to avoid complete water loss, however it may be necessary for the repair to take place. If discolouration is experienced in the water, run faucet(s) until the discolouration clears. Normal discolouration during this process includes rusty or cloudy coloured water.

Council chamber roof

Council voted to award the tender to replace the roof over the council chambers.

It will go to ICI Roofing Ltd., for an estimated cost of $121,600 plus HST and will include a $10,000 electrical contingency. A second bidder, Industrial Roofing Services Ltd., was more than $330,000.

Timmins said they had budgeted $110,000 for the job. He said the shortfall could be funded from property reserves, which has a $333,000 balance.

Council is, however, holding off on replacing 14 bollards along the Riverwalk that were damaged by vandals in May.

Staff were looking to approve a tender at a cost of $6,400 plus HST, funded from the park reserves.

However, coun. Ivan Ingram thought it made sense for staff to investigate other lighting options, since the bollards are close to the ground, and can be easily vandalized or damaged by equipment, “something that will stand up better to the environment and vandalism,” he said. For example, he mentioned more like a taller streetlight. Coun. Tammy McKelvey agreed, saying the bollards are, “hard to come by, almost obsolete.”

Director of community services, Candace McGuigan said staff would look into it and report back to council.

Support for CAS

McKelvey asked that a motion passed by Highlands East, against Children’s Aid Society cuts in Haliburton County, be pulled for discussion, with Minden Hills approving a similar motion in support of the local social services agency.

Coun. Pam Sayne agreed with McKelvey, “I think we need to jump on this and respond right away. There might not be information on this, but there are kids out there who need this help yesterday.”

The CAS announced in July it would be closing its Haliburton storefront next year and laying off one full-time staff member.

TLDSB: school bullying a concern

Mike Baker

September 5, 2024

As students across Haliburton County return to school this week, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) director of learning Wes Hahn said he’s worried about violence and bullying within the local system.

In a report to TLDSB trustees Aug. 28, Hahn discussed results from student and teacher consultations held last spring where one of the common themes reported, particularly on the student side, was a lack of safety at school.

“Violence and bullying continue to be a concern across the province, but we’re worried about TLDSB. It’s interrupting student learning… it’s keeping them from attending school,” Hahn said.

Students commented on the lack of available safe spaces, noting washrooms as a “problem area” Hahn said. He noted washrooms have become a popular hangout space for some, with an increased presence of vaping at high schools.

While punishment forms part of the board’s solution for bad apples, Hahn believes directly engaging with students to press home the “very real” consequences of bullying for victims to be key. He noted this, along with other measures, would be key priorities for TLDSB this school year.

“We’ve already had our mental health team focus on supports, making sure caring adults are with students, educating them, helping them learn about the components of school life. It’s not a quick fix, but we have to get at this work… to make a difference,” Hahn said.

The director said TLDSB administration is working with certain schools to design better washroom facilities.

Hahn said one of the other primary concerns shared by students surrounded how they’re being taught in the classroom.

Trustee Deb McInerney felt it was “pretty significant” that youth felt they required better pedagogical methods and more relevant instruction. Hahn agreed.

“This is one of those areas that has been around since the beginning of time with teaching – how do you connect with kids, make it the most meaningful learning we can? It’s always a challenge,” Hahn said. “Kids said it would be nice if they came in at 11 a.m. and left at 2 p.m. and brought their guitar. That’s not quite possible, but we have to actively engage them [to improve].”

Hahn noted students are excited about opportunities afforded to them through co-op placements and hands-on tech programming.

Addressing the board’s five-year strategic plan, adopted in 2022, Hahn said, “we have been doing good things and are on the border of doing even better and greater things.” He said administrators have used evidence-based research over the past three years for all its key decisions.

Quoting author and education coach and facilitator Shane Safir, Hahn said the best way to make a difference across TLDSB schools is to continue to engage with and listen to students. And accept when something isn’t working.

“Confronting the brutal facts about where we stand is important. It doesn’t help to hide it, to not tackle it. It won’t go away unless we open it up and start doing the work,”

Hahn said. “We want to hear our students’ voices. They have a lot to say and don’t hold back.” Hahn noted student consultation will take place again this year.

Phones off

TLDSB is enforcing a new ‘off and away’ rule when it comes to cell phone use in the classroom.

The rule applies to the entire school community and also prohibits personal tablets and smartwatches. Students will be asked to turn off devices at the beginning of each instruction period and put them away to limit distractions and promote healthy relationships and meaningful engagement in the classroom, TLDSB says.

“The research tells us that excessive personal mobile device use limits attention, learning, relationships, and belonging in schools,” said Tanya Fraser, TLDSB’s associate superintendent of learning responsible for mental health services.

The change was one of the recommendations outlined by the Ministry of Education when it updated school board codes of conduct in April.

There are exceptions – students will be allowed to use their devices if they’re required for documented health and medical purposes, to support special education needs, or if directed by a teacher.

Artist doing the ‘Chamba Chamba’

Mike Baker

September 5, 2024

When life gives Highlands artist Veronica Abrenica lemons, she tosses them into a proverbial pot of ‘Chamba Chamba’ – a favourite saying of her Filipino uncle growing up that means ‘come what may’ – and continues to smile.

“It took a long time for me to teach myself that, no matter what happens, no matter the challenges, we can persevere. Come what may, approach it with a good attitude,” Abrenica said.

A COVID-19 transplant from Vaughan, Abrenica said she loves life in Haliburton County. She remembers visiting as a child, her parents venturing north for summer vacations at the Wigamog Inn, where they had a timeshare. Wanting to be closer to nature more permanently, Abrenica sought an escape.

She found a studio apartment in Minden that “spoke” to her artistic soul, moving here permanently in 2021.

With a penchant for art, Abrenica feels like she hit the jackpot relocating to the community relatively sight unseen, without knowing how deep the Highlands’ artistic roots run. One of her first discoveries was Fay Wilkinson’s art therapy classes in Minden.

“They were exactly what I needed to reinvigorate my creative spirit,” Abrenica said.

Bits and pieces she picked up from Fay, as well as her 11 years as a professional artist, will be on display this weekend at The Space in Haliburton as Abrenica prepares for her first solo art exhibit. Fittingly, she’s called it ‘Chamba Chamba’.

“My uncle would always say this while cooking – it basically means whatever resource you have, you put it in the pot and hope that it tastes good,” Abrenica said. “You have to activate the sweetness, sourness, bitterness – all the taste buds. So this show will be about activating the senses, peeling back the onion to show what makes someone human, sharing the soul.”

Her uncle passed away in 2021, so she’s using the exhibit to commemorate and honour his memory.

Describing herself as a performance artist, Abrenica said there will be various mediums showcased when the three-day exhibit opens Sept. 5. She will be leading in-person live performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., while also displaying multimedia, mixed media, and collage works on the gallery walls.

Abrenica considers the entire display a “living exhibit” that she’s encouraging all attendees to contribute to or move around, whether you’re an artist or not.

“The act of making art is beautiful – I love when people are in the moment. I love the mistakes, the quirkiness that comes out, because it’s authentic,” Abrenica said. “I’ve lived most of my life through my authenticity. The way everything is constructed in life, you feel like you have to fit in somewhere in this realm. But art allows you to go beyond that.

“We forget sometimes we’re human, we’re not robots. We’re meant to exist together, share one another’s stories. This is going to be my story, and I hope others will tell theirs too,” she added.

The dates are extra significant to Abrenica, as it’s the anniversary of her mother moving to Canada. She said the art will cover her mother’s story, too.

“It navigates the story of belonging. Everyone has their own journey, but I’m realizing more my Filipino upbringing is very tied into how I move through space, how I live my life,” Abrenica said.

The Space is open Sept. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Sept. 6/7 from noon to 5 p.m., with performances at 6 p.m. Friday’s performance will take place at Blue Sky Yoga Studio.

Hurry, hard for Minden’s 75th anniversary

Lisa Gervais

September 5, 2024

Michele and Jamie Walker were frustrated snowmobilers when they decided to register for curling in Minden in 2019. The long-time cottagers had recently permanently moved to the County.

Jamie said they had time and Michele said snowmobiling was unreliable so “winters were really boring until we joined the curling club.”

Jamie recalls asking if there was a social element on registration night; if people had a drink after playing. He was assured they would have one or two, as they sat with their teammates and competitors for after-game playful teasing and camaraderie. “We have found it to be very much that way. It’s a social club with curling, but of course it’s curling and the social aspect of it is huge. We’ve me a ton of people.”

Michele adds many of their friendships have spilled over into full-time, not just the curling season.

“The social aspect is strong and very beneficial to anybody at all, especially if you are new to town,” Jamie says.

The club is holding its’ registration event Thursday Sept. 12, 4-8 p.m., as its 75th season continues. Curlers will take to the ice the Tuesday after Thanksgiving [Oct. 15], and the four-week Learn-to-Curl begins the following Sunday, Oct. 20.

President Dwight Thomas said he began curling in high school before joining the Minden Curling Club. His foster parents shared their love of the sport with him. At the time, he said Glee club was number one, and curling number two among teens. It was a simpler time, with “less attractions” he recalls while seated in the club lounge.

The current club was built in 1980 thanks to a matching Wintario grant. He said the club remains proud that it did not cost taxpayers anything. The original building was a Quonset hut that the Minden Agricultural Society purchased from CFB Trenton, and rented out to the curlers. It was opened in 1949.

Thomas pulls out a prized original copy of the program for the opening of that first Minden rink 75 years ago.

“There was enthusiasm obviously. When this was built, curlers in those days had to buy their own rocks.”

He recalled a big moment in the late 1950s when the club borrowed $400 to buy curling stones from the Bobcaygeon Curling Club. At the time, there were 44 members. He said it was a time when people celebrated “the roaring game” due to the stones and “slap, slap” of straw brooms.

He also has fond memories of jam can curling at the Minden winter carnival. Large cans of jam were emptied into bellies and then filled with cement and handles for Saturday morning’s 8 a.m. throw across the ice. Public school kids were drawn to the sport. “If it fell over, it didn’t count. It was fun.”

Thomas said there had been too many highlights to recall all of them, but pointed to the 50th anniversary when the club hosted the Ontario Curling Association junior championships. Looking at the program, names such as Jenn Hanna, Julie Reddick [now Tippin] and John Morriss all appear – long before they went on to provincial, national and world curling competitions. “It was a big deal,” Thomas recalls, with 180 seated for a meal next door at the community centre. There were men’s and ladies intermediate, bantam mixed, and Timbits elementary school championships.

As club president for the twelfth or thirteenth time, he’s lost track, he said he is proud to see the club turn 75.

“For me, the first thing is the curling club. This is home. It’s a community thing. It seems to have involved everybody in the community over the years.”

Owning team on Wilson’s bucket list

Mike Baker

September 5, 2024

Haliburton County Huskies owner Paul Wilson said, aside from bringing a Jr. A hockey championship to Haliburton County, his primary goal with the Huskies is to set the franchise up for the long haul in the Highlands.

The club will kick off its fourth Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) season in Minden this weekend, with a Saturday afternoon tilt with the Leamington Flyers. As has become customary, Wilson expects there to be a full house at S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena cheering the team on.

“We have the best fans in the league – the support we’ve seen over the past four years, that’s what’s kept us going,” Wilson said.

His short-term focus will be developing a business plan that guides the Huskies franchise into the black. Despite having some of the best season ticket sales (over 300 this season) and sponsorship numbers in the league, the team is operating at a loss.

Wilson has invested north of $1 million since purchasing the then Whitby Fury in 2019. That includes $150,000 for the Huskies state-of-the-art locker room at the Minden arena, another few thousand to install the standing rails in the rink and covering hefty transportation costs for the past three seasons.

It’s a sizeable commitment, but one Wilson is prepared to stand behind. Especially when he looks back on the fruits of his, and general manager and head coach Ryan Ramsay’s, years of labour.

“I’m proud of the fact I’m able to bring a major hockey franchise to Haliburton County. No other community like this could support a Jr. A hockey team, in my opinion. It’s a very, very rare thing,” Wilson said.

While Wilson and Ramsay tried to make a go of things in Whitby, and first considered moves to Uxbridge and Port Perry once it became clear relocation was necessary, they’re delighted to have landed in Haliburton County.

In fact, Wilson said it was something of a dream for him re-establishing a Huskies program in the Highlands.

“I grew up in Haliburton. I’ve lived here my whole life. I played for the Huskies in the 60s when they were a Jr. D team. This is bucket list type stuff,” Wilson said.

There were offers to sell and relocate the franchise this summer, but Wilson said that was a non-starter. Instead, he’s spent the past few months working with Ramsay to sell new recruits on winter living in cottage country.

Getting players to commit has, historically, been a challenge. Some of the Huskies’ best players in recent years, former captains Patrick Saini, Christian Stevens and Nathan Porter, and stars like Oliver Tarr and Lucas Stevenson, got their start with the franchise when it was in Whitby.

“When players come, they love it. But we do have trouble getting younger players, finding all the billets we need to house them,” Wilson said.

At least until this season.

The Huskies are a much younger outfit this year, Wilson notes, with eight 17-yearolds making the squad. As under agers, they will attend Haliburton Highlands Secondary School.

“I remember one year we didn’t have anybody going to high school, so it’s a big change,” Wilson said.

With the addition of centreman Nathan Poole, who spent three seasons playing in the Ontario Hockey League with the Kingston Frontenacs, and 20-year-old veteran netminder Corbin Votary, the Huskies have some serious talent in key positions.

They will, however, be without 17-yearold defenceman Lukas Moore, who had committed to the Huskies and was expected to play a key role on the blueline, only to crack the Frontenacs roster out of training camp this week. Two other recruits the Huskies hoped to count on this year also earned OHL gigs.

That’s bittersweet for Wilson.

“We are seen as a really good operation – good coaching, good fans, good everything. Players want to come here now, but the downside to that is we’re sometimes waiting on and competing with [OHL teams] for players,” Wilson said.

Some players, like winger Alex Smeeton, opt for Jr. A instead so they can try their luck playing college hockey in the U.S. The NCAA, which regulates collegiate competition south of the border, doesn’t accept OHL alumni.

While still a few moves short of boasting a team capable of competing for a championship, Wilson said that will always be the goal while he remains owner.

“To have a little town like this win an OJHL title would be amazing. It would just be a dream come true for me, and it would put us on the map for hockey all over Canada,” Wilson said.

What do we want to be?

September 4, 2024

At last week’s County council meeting, there was a discussion about the municipality developing a strategic plan.

I was surprised to hear that the County has never had one. Without a plan, how can staff and councillors know what to prioritize?

They have been able to do so – somewhat – for example, focusing on lake health via a shoreline preservation bylaw adopted by three councils, and soon licensing and regulating short-term rentals.

However, without a to-do list, some things have fallen by the wayside. Other shiny things have come up, and councillors and staff can become distracted. It’s easy to lose focus in a fast-changing world.

So, I applaud the creation of a strategic plan.

I am also pleased the council has decided not to hire a consultant to do this work. It has been the practice of most councils to hire outside firms. For the most part, I have not been impressed with the results. It will be interesting to see how the in-house approach to this file will pan out. Some, such as warden Liz Danielsen, would like a more hands-off approach, believing outsiders may see things staff would not. However, the majority of councillors are happy to give staff a crack at it, for a lot less money for taxpayers.

We welcome the working group’s plan to consult with residents. I believe that is a crucial part of the process. We need to be asked what we think council’s priorities should be over the next five years.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux did query how the parameters of that feedback would be managed, since County council is responsible for certain things, such as roads, planning, community safety, economic development and tourism, human resources, physician recruitment, land ambulances and community paramedicine, as well as sitting on numerous external boards.

Not every resident is going to get a kitten or pony, as former coun. Carol Moffatt used to joke.

However, as raised by coun. Bob Carter – there is value in trying to garner a vision for the future of the County – and that goes beyond a five-year window.

In the face of rapid growth, now is the time to have that discussion – if not too late.

What do we want Haliburton County to look like in five, 10, 15, 20, 25 years? Do we want to continue down the road of looking like Muskoka or do we want to reclaim Haliburton County? Do we want continued growth or are we maxed out? Is it time to say enough is enough? As coun. Murray Fearrey said, we simply don’t have the infrastructure to accommodate current growth rates.

The question of what we want to be has never been as important as it is now, in my opinion. But to get solid answers, we need to be engaged. We need to lift our game. Just as the last municipal election was appalling – not enough people running for office and too many acclamations – we need to get involved. Because if we don’t, we are going to have seven councillors set our agenda going forward and if we don’t like it – we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.

Celebrating our history

Mike Baker

September 4, 2024

Two iconic Haliburton County landmarks are in the news this week.

The first is Sunday’s 100th birthday celebration at the Bonnie View Inn on Lake Kashagawigamog.

The second is the Ecclestone family purchasing Minden’s former Rockcliffe Tavern.

It seems fitting that both stories coincide with the Labour Day weekend. It is always a rite of passage in the Highlands – as cottagers and visitors turn from carefree summer days and begin to think about returning to the city and getting their kids ready for school.

While they will dribble in and out until Thanksgiving weekend – and a hardy few will visit in winter – the exodus marks another turning of the wheel.

At one time, from about 1940 to 1969, resorts were a big business in Haliburton County. There were 17 alone on Kashagawigamog and Canning lakes. People would come for long stretches of time, weeks. Today, folks come for a few days. Times have changed.

Lakefront homes and cottages have replaced many of them, though there are still lodges and summer camps for kids.

So, for Bonnie View to be marking 100 years is nothing short of remarkable. But it’s taken the blood, sweat and tears of Andrea Hagarty. While no longer the owner, she has helped out until present day. The lodge’s success has to do with pivoting with the times. For example, it is now a well-established Highlands wedding venue. They also bank on nostalgia, people coming as adults who came as kids.

Jim Ecclestone, whose kids have purchased the Rockcliffe in Minden, talks about boating up the Gull River and mooring in town. Trips to the Beaver Theatre, stopping at the tavern, going into the general store for back-to-school supplies. The grown adults remember it too. It’s part of the reason they made the purchase – to see if they can breathe life into the old place.

It’s early days. They don’t even know if the building, which has been sitting empty for years, can be saved. If it can – and that is a big ‘if’ – they’ll then begin to think about what to do with it. There is no guarantee it will ever be a tavern again. However, for now, it is already looking better than the eyesore it has been for years. It may have to be demolished one day. Only time will tell. However, at least the Ecclestone family care enough about its history to have a crack at it. We are inspired by what they are trying to do.

Can’t say enough about the Bonnie View, either. It exudes Haliburton County history. We applaud Andrea and the new owners for keeping that legacy alive.

So, we encourage folks to drop into the Bonnie View this Sunday from 1-6 p.m. to share stories of their experiences with the place. And, we encourage anyone making their way into downtown Minden to give Jim and Shane Gallagher and their workers a thumbs up as they continue work at the corner of Bobcaygeon Road and Newcastle Street.

The resort and the tavern are important parts of our history – and they deserve to be celebrated.

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