The Wellington County Plowmen’s Association (WCPA) wants to host the International Plowing Match (IPM) in 2016, and county council has given its first approval to do that.
Three officials from the WCPA attended county council on June 30 to make the case. The county has been taking a turn hosting the international event since it first hosted in 1915. The county hosted the events again in 1937, 1968, 1984 and in 2000 in Elora.
Former county councillor and past president of the WCPA Carl Hall told the first step is to see if the county is willing to support the bid to host the event. Hall said that will have implications for ratepayers because the group is seeking $100,000 spread over the next five years to get everything lined up if Wellington is successful in its bid.
As well, there could be expenses for the OPP and for the roads department.
Hall said the annual IPM meeting will be held in Stratford in February, and the county will submit its bid at that time. He added there could be other bids, too.
WCPA chairman Carmen Weppler said the county’s association is comprised of about 30 volunteers, but if it hosts the match it will need “a small army” to help. He noted the county group hosts a match every year in August and held a successful one in Erin last year. This year the match will be on Highway 89, just outside of Harriston.
The group pays prize money for various plowing classes and raises those funds through its annual advertising directory (which was presented to all councillors). The group is the only county from the 48 branches under the OPA to produce a directory to this scale. Hall also cited the Queen of the Furrow competition that takes place every year, with the winner competing at the IPM. He said the match is a great way to promote local events.
Hall and George Robinson, who was the chairman of the IPM in Elora in 2000, both said they will not take a lead role this time, but will help out.
Councillor Gary Williamson said the WCPA is a dedicated group and he supports their proposal. “They put their heart and soul into this,” he said.
Warden Chris White said it sounds like “a great opportunity for the county.” He said the request would be forwarded to the administration, finance, and personnel committee so it can be discussed at budget talks.
Robinson said he wants to assure county engineers there would be no need to build a road for this event, as the county had done in 2000. The group has possible two sites for consideration.
