Industrial & Commercial Painting

J-K

• Barn Painting

• Sandblasting

• Hot Water Pressure Washing

• Epoxy Coatings

Jeff Kunkel (519) 343-3737

Jeff@jkindustrialpainting.com

SPECIALIZING IN:

• Farm Drainage

• Municipal Drainage

• Backhoe Work

• Land clearing (fence lines, bush lines)

• Excavator Work

• Dozer Work

• Erosion Control

WE OFFER:

• Over 50 years of experience in providing the best drainage designs

• Contour plans of the project from a field survey

• Professionally designed drainage systems from the contour plans

• State of the art equipment

• Qualified and experience personnel

• Guaranteed workmanship & customer service

• All this at the most economical cost with very competitive pricing For that personal touch, pride in workmanship, most efficient, effective & economical drainage systems, call the professionals for a free estimate.

“It was a fun way for kids to learn the safety messaging and learn about different topics in a non-frightening way,” said Lewis.

After returning home to Perth County and sharing details of her experience to friends and family, the common response was, ‘Wow, we’ll have to go to Chicago sometime.’

“I know that’s not realistic for every family, so I got wondering how we could bring something like that here, where it is play-based, for the kids, educational – some third space for kids outside of the home and school where they could feel it was their own, and a space for kids who maybe aren’t interested in sports but would like to focus on technology or engineering or agriculture,” said Lewis.

Lewis formed a steering committee, which approached the Municipality of North Perth with the idea. North Perth council was receptive to the idea, and supported the committee in applying for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant to conduct a feasibility study.

That study, completed by Lord Cultural Resources in 2020, provided the committee with a “more concrete direction” and recommended the focus be changed from a children’s museum concept to a science centre concept.

“Only because it actually broadens your audience,” said Lewis. “The children’s museums now, the age focus is generally up to age eight or nine, so that’s why the science centre will be appealing to people of a wider age range.

“It will be appealing to people of all ages, but there will be different spaces. We do hope to have a space for smaller, younger kids, like a ‘Kids Zone’ play area, but also engaging educational activities and exhibits for people of all ages.”

Lewis said it will also be the first centre of its kind in Canada, focusing on agriculture and science, and expects the centre will be open year-round.

“We’re hoping to incorporate co-ops for high schools so students with all sorts of different interests could run programs for youth and be able to volunteer or even get jobs,” said Lewis. “It will employ people but also provide meaningful volunteer opportunities in the community.”

Some of the exhibit ideas which the board has already discussed are: Agriculture Through the Ages, Climate Change and Agriculture, Agriculture Safety, Agriculture Technology, Agriculture Innovation, On-farm Biodiversity, Sustainable Farming, Soil and Land, Maitland River Conservation, Careers in Agriculture, Indigenous Agriculture, Agriculture and Art, Farm Dress Up and Costumes, Farm to Table Cooking, Environmental Agriculture, Healthy Habits and Nutrition, Nature Stewardship, and Mental Health in Agriculture.

Lewis sees the Huron Perth Ag Science Centre as a destination for school field trips, outings for groups such as 4-H, local agricultural socieities, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Community Living, to name a few.

See HURON page 22