C
Business
onnections June 2015
Pam Am Torch Relay Celebration
On May 30, the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch began its journey through 130 communities across Ontario. The flame will be carried by 3,000 community torchbearers over the course of 41 days to share the spirit of the Pan Am Games. On June 12, the flame arrived in Orangeville for a community celebration. Orangeville’s community torchbearer was three-time World Champion and Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist, Brian Price. Born in Belleville, Mr. Price overcame childhood cancer and during his 12-year international rowing career, he accomplished many amazing athletic feats, including an induction into the Canadian Olympic Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Price retired from rowing in early 2014 and re-located from the National Team Training Centre in Victoria, B.C. to Orangeville, Ontario with his family. Mr. Price carried the Pan Am Torch onto the celebration stage and lit the lantern during an inspiring and energetic welcome. The celebration was held at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre and included a free barbecue, family fun activities, and live entertainment headlined by Juno Award winner Crystal Shawanda. Other performers throughout the evening included local artists: The Campfire Poets, Leisa Way, and Sacred Spirit Dancers. The torch departed Orangeville from the Farmers’ Market on June 13 while the festivities continued with Pan Am in the Park – a celebration of fun, games, and art; all inspired by the Games. With Pan Am events coming to both Mono and Caledon, the Torch Relay Celebrations were an opportunity to showcase the unique culture and heritage of the Town and a great way for the community to come together. The Pan Am Torch Relay Celebration was made possible with funding from the federal and provincial governments along with contributions from the County of Dufferin and Town of Orangeville. The Pan Am Torch will make its way to Toronto in time for the Games to start on July 10, 2015.
Tourism Week in Orangeville In a tribute to the economic impact and social benefits of the tourism sector, Mayor Jeremy D Williams proclaimed the week of May 31 to June 6 as Tourism Week in Orangeville. Mayor Williams is joined by Bill Lidster from Credit Valley Conservation Authority, Economic Development Manager Ruth Phillips, and Director of Economic Development, Planning and Innovation Nancy Tuckett.
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Volume 6
Issue 3
Company Profile
Island Lake Conservation Area Just steps outside of Orangeville’s bustling shopping district, at the Town’s east end, lies a picturesque conservation area that enchants visitors and residents alike. With 332 acres of lake, wetland, forest, and meadow, the Island Lake Conservation Area has become a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. In 1967, the area was flooded when two dams created a 182-hectare basin called the Orangeville Reservoir. A few years later, in 1970, the grounds were opened to the public as a conservation area, now known as Island Lake, after an original settler to the area. Managed by the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, the conservation area plays an important ecological role in protecting the headwaters of the Credit and Nottawasaga Rivers and its diverse wildlife, while offering recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the area. With recreational activities available for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year, Island Lake receives approximately 75,000 visitors annually, mostly during the summer. More than 10 kilometres of trails enable visitors to revel in the area’s natural beauty during a walk, bike, hike, or jog. The scenic landscapes also make an excellent backdrop for family picnics and corporate barbecues. On the lake, visitors enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing. Known for its fishing, the lake hosts a popular annual Friends of Island Lake Bass Fishing Tournament which attracts fishing enthusiasts from across the Province for friendly competition each July. As interest in the conservation area grows, so do the offerings. The Vicki Barron Lakeside Trail, to be completed this summer, will fully circle Island Lake and link the conservation area to local trails in Orangeville, Caledon and Mono. Upon its completion, visitors will be able to enjoy up to 13 kilometres of trails throughout the conservation area. Also new this year will be the Island Lake Stage, an on-the-water amphitheatre, enabling a unique location for outdoor concerts and cultural performances within a beautiful, natural environment. The addition is anticipated to be completed by September 2015. For more information about the recreational opportunities available at Island Lake, visit www.creditvalleyca.ca/enjoythe-outdoors/conservation-areas/island-lake-conservationarea/.
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Upcoming Events
In The News
Orangeville Farmers’ Market • Saturdays until October 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Blues and Jazz Festival
The Orangeville Farmers' Market features the best in fresh produce, fruits, locally raised meats, fish, flowers, home baked goods, and unique artisan crafts. Support your local farmers while you enjoy live entertainment, themed events, and activities for the kids. The Market runs outdoors, rain or shine, on Second Street, just behind Town Hall.
The combination of passionate artists, cultural businesses, and an incredible festival scene has made Orangeville a prime destination for cultural activity in the region. Without doubt, one of the most significant driving forces of Orangeville’s cultural richness is the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival, which takes over the Town during the first weekend in June each year. More than a decade ago, local musician Larry Kurtz and a small group of volunteers banded together to bring a half-day blues and jazz concert to Orangeville, attracting 2,000 attendees. What started as a small local concert has since grown into a four-day festival that is now one of the most highly respected events of its kind in Ontario. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario for the last four years, the 2015 Blues & Jazz Festival attracted approximately 35,000 visitors to Orangeville between June 4 and 7. The festival is an important tourism generator for the Town and with visitor spending estimated at $1.1 million during the four-day event, the weekend is good for Orangeville’s economy and for local businesses. Attendance to the 13th annual Blues and Jazz Festival was a record-breaking event and a major success from a financial, artistic, and attendance perspective. With four days, five stages, 23 clubs and more than 80 acts, 2015 was one of the festival’s biggest years to date. The weekend was packed with live performances by Juno award winning Jack de Keyzer, Popa Chubby, Monkeyjunk with Paul Reddick, among others. The always popular Blues Cruise on Broadway and the Blues & Bikes event on Mill Street were also back and better than ever. A remarkable new feature of the festival this year was the Memorial March, a traditional New Orleans style funeral march in celebration of life, which served as a memorial to the festival volunteers who have since passed. The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival is made possible by the hard work and dedication of more than 160 volunteers and the support of numerous sponsors. According to Festival Treasurer and Board member Gary Brown, “The increasing support of sponsors, even in tough economic times, reflects the importance of the festival to the region. By partnering with local businesses through our sponsorship program, the Orangeville BIA, and various public sector funding agencies, the festival has become one of the major cultural attractions for our region.” For more information on the festival, visit www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca. Be sure to stay tuned for 2016 festival updates!
Credit Valley Explorer • June to December The Credit Valley Explorer is southern Ontario's premiere tour train experience. Each season offers unique views and different themes as the train journeys through the Credit Valley and Hills of Headwaters region in the heart of Ontario's Greenbelt. This 74-km excursion operates on many Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer, fall and winter. Visit www.creditvalleyexplorer.com for dates and booking information.
Canada Day Celebrations • July 1, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Town of Orangeville at the Alder Street Recreation Centre and celebrate Canada Day with activities that include free swims, cake, inflatable rides, laser tag, children’s crafts, and face painting. The day concludes with a fireworks display over Island Lake at 10 p.m.
Orangeville Founders’ Day • July 4, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The fun starts in downtown Orangeville with the Farmers’ Market and kicks into high gear at 10 a.m. with live entertainment, an art walk, sidewalk sale, and various street performers at locations along Broadway. The Main Stage will feature live music performed throughout the day and evening by a wide variety of local talent. For all the details please visit www.downtownorangeville.ca.
Rotary Ribfest • July 17 to 19 Get ready for sticky fingers, big smiles, and delicious fall-off-the-bone ribs at the annual Rotary Club Ribfest. Held each July at the Alder Street Recreation Centre, the Rotary Ribfest features several popular “ribbers” selling their succulent treats while crowds are entertained by main stage performers and a thrilling midway. Find out more at www.orangevilleribfest.com.
Taste of Orangeville and Rotary Beer Fest • August 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This culinary adventure takes place on Mill Street and features Orangeville's best restaurants offering fantastic tasting menus created by their talented chefs. Live music, extended patios, and absolutely delicious food combined with fantastic shopping make for a perfect day. For more information visit www.downtownorangeville.ca.
Culture Day • September 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Orangeville Farmers’ Market at Town Hall will feature Culture Day in the Park, where all forms of art are celebrated including music, dance, exhibitions, and demonstrations. Explore the many cultural activities our region has to offer, learn something new, and help celebrate arts and culture in Orangeville.
Things To Know Summer Company – Support Our Young Entrepreneurs
Real Estate - Featured Listing Northwest Corner C Line and Centennial Road More than 5 acres of shovel-ready industrial land available for sale. Located at the northwest corner of Centennial Road and C Line, the land is close to the Orangeville bypass and is zoned M-1 for general industrial uses. The lot size is 2.087 ha (5.156 ac) and can be severed into two or three smaller parcels. The current asking price for the land is $215,000.00 per acre. Interested buyers should contact Ruth Phillips, Manager of Economic Development, Town of Orangeville at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2291 or by email at rphillips@orangeville.ca.
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Six young entrepreneurs have been accepted to participate in the 2015 Summer Company Program. The Program provides students between the ages of 15 and 29 with exciting opportunities to explore entrepreneurship first hand. These students will receive business related training, hands-on coaching, and awards of up to $3,000 to help them launch and run their own summer companies. Summer Company is available through the Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) in partnership with the Province of Ontario. To find out how you can support our young entrepreneurs, contact the SBEC office at 519-941-0440 Ext. 2270.
Funding the Arts with artsVest The Town of Orangeville’s Economic Development office is pleased to announce that the artsVest program is coming to Orangeville. artsVest helps build partnerships between the public, private, and cultural sectors by providing arts and culture organizations with the expertise and tools needed to develop sponsorship opportunities with local business, through in-depth sponsorship training, matching incentive funds, and community networking events. Orangeville was selected as one of five Ontario municipalities to receive artsVest support during its 2015/16 year and the matching incentive grants, combined with sponsorships from local businesses, will mean an investment of at least $30,000 into Orangeville’s creative economy. For more information on the program, visit www.artsvest.com.
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