Guelph-Eramosa officials say there should be no problem hosting two separate events in the village of Eden Mills this weekend.
“I think this could actually be a very positive thing,” said councillor Doug Breen at the Sept. 19 council meeting.
Hopscotch for Hope and the Milton Area Studio Tour are taking place along village streets on Oct. 1, and officials from the latter event came to council last week to express some concern about the scheduling conflict.
Michael Coull, who runs an art gallery out of his home in Eden Mills, told council he thinks the Hopscotch for Hope event for charity is “laudable” and a “marvelous” idea.
However, he said it is unfortunate those involved with the studio tour the same day were not consulted. He added closing the roads through Eden Mills is not an option for the tour, which runs from 10am to 5pm on Oct. 1 and 2.
“We just need free access for anyone coming through the village,” Coull said.
Mayor Chris White replied, “That’s the intention.” He told Coull the organizers of the hopscotch event agreed to work on an amicable solution.
White said it is important to keep one side of the road open to ensure there is access for those on the gallery tour and also to have parking available for that event.
He added there could be traffic marshals at either end of the village to ensure traffic is getting through and routed to the right location.
Breen said it was never the township’s intention to close the roads completely, as it did for the recent Eden Mills Writers Festival.
Yet he stressed it is important to have accurately worded signs at both ends of the village so cars don’t turn around after reading a simple “road closed” sign.
Councillor Corey Woods disagreed with Breen’s optimistic assessment of the conflict. Woods noted it is unfortunate that one group prefers the roads closed and another prefers them open – and it will be difficult to please both.
Breen and White said using proper signs and marshals to help direct traffic should ensure both events run smoothly.
Council unanimously approved closing five Eden Mills streets on Oct. 1, with the exception of local traffic and vehicles attending either event in the village. Councillor John Scott was absent.
Parade of Lights
At the same meeting last week, council also offered its support of another popular township event.
Woods initially said he is worried about setting a precedent by using township insurance to cover the annual Rockwood Parade of Lights, set this year for Dec. 8.
White responded by saying, the parade, which is organized by local farmers, is “very, very local” and always well attended.
“It’s something that’s overwhelmingly supported by the community and they would look to us to support it,” White said.
Councillors Breen and David Wolk agreed, calling the support money well spent.
Council unanimously agreed to provide in-kind support for the parade totalling about $5,711.
