Sensational Elora’s ‘contain the monsters’ project breaks ground

ELORA – With community help and support,  Sensational Elora is now able to break ground in May to begin the process of moving the Twilight Zoo of Monsters.

This project began a year ago when Sensational Elora approached Councillor Diane Ballantyne to talk about possible sites in Centre Wellington to store the monsters in shipping containers.   

Ballantyne took the request to Wellington County council.  

By September 2025, Wellington County approved space for up to six shipping containers at the Elora Garage facility.  

“We couldn’t be more grateful to councillor Ballantyne for her dedication in supporting community organizations and to Wellington County for agreeing to host the monsters, “ officials state in a press release.

Sensational Elora also sincerely thanks Triton Engineering for its kind donation of engineering services to prepare the drawings and specifications needed to apply for the building permit for this project.  

The building permit was approved by Centre Wellington Township.

To help raise funds for the project, Sensational Elora hosted a “Contain the Monsters Trivia Night” on April 10.  

With a sold-out crowd and four lively rounds of trivia, the evening was filled with energy, laughter and strong community spirit, officials say. 

Thanks to ticket sales, Monster Month merchandise sales and funds raised from kind contributions for the silent auction, over $4,000 was raised toward the “Contain the Monsters” goal of $20,000.

Congratulations to the “Quizanthemums” team on their Trivia Night win.  Congratulations also to the second-place team, “Smartie Party” and the third-place team, “Quiz Kalifa.” 

“This wonderful event has helped us take an important first step toward purchasing the secure storage containers needed to protect our beloved Twilight Zoo creatures, keeping them safe, dry and critter-proof when they’re not delighting the community each October,” officials added, thanking all participants. 

Stay tuned for more fundraising to fully fund the new Monster Lair.