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39 Renfrew Ave.W., W., Unit Raglan St. S.1, 39 342 Renfrew Ave. Unit 1, Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Renfrew K7V 1R5 P.O.P.O. Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Pager Pager 1-888-717-9181 Pager1-888-717-9181 1-888-717-9181
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Proudly serving Renfrew and surrounding area since 1870
Year 142, Issue 21
The new Algonquin College of the Ottawa Valley is front and centre today. – Page 7 –
New business has designs on a bright future. – Page 12 –
Thursday, November 29, 2012 • 48 pages
RPG closer to $22-million loan Steve Newman steve.newman@metroland.com
Renfrew Power Generation has been around since the early 1900s, following the building of the lower power generating station in 1903 by Thomas Low. Renfrewʼs upper station was built by the Town of Renfrew in 1911, but both stations are showing their age and need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Hence, the move to construct a new Thomas Low Generating Station Project, with the help of a loan of more than $22.3 million to Renfrew Power Generation. Monday night, council unanimously authorized the mayor and clerk to execute a financing and loan agreement with a Canadian chartered bank for the purpose of developing the Thomas Low project. This means the town is serving as security for the full loan amount, but the loan is considered low risk. Itʼs all considered a necessary next step in Renfrew Power Generationʼs future on the Bonnechere River. “Itʼs a first step in our future. Itʼs a big part,” Renfrew Power Generation general manager Peter Boldt told The
Renfrew Mercury EMC. The loan agreement is the most recent step in a process that has involved completion of a Ministry of the Environment environmental assessment, a Ministry of Natural Resources permit process, and the transitional agreement with the Ontario Power Authority. The OPA agreement will allow the transfer of operations from the current two generating stations in town to the new Thomas Low Generating Station. It will be located next to the lower station and construction could start this spring, says Boldt. Construction is expected to take about 18 months. “By the time we have this project up, the older plants will have had to have major overhauls,” admits the general manager. Future power generation sources are expected to include development of a project at First Chute, located another 10 kilometres downriver in Horton Township. RPG received formal support, from Renfrew council Monday night, to apply for Ontario Power Authority approval of a project at the first chute. RPG will be seeking the same formal support from Horton council.
Manor lighting tonight, Nativity Scene Sunday New track club is taking shape in Renfrew. – Page 25 –
The season of light is upon us. The Vern Yemen Nativity Scene will be lit at a 7 p.m. service Sunday in Low Square, Renfrew. Everyone is invited to the first Sunday of Advent by celebrating this event, a highlight of the Christmas season. Tonight the Bonnechere Manor seniorsʼ residence in Renfrew hosts its tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
Santa
Is coming to town, Sat Dec 1st, along with many
STEVE NEWMAN/METROLAND
Stars of the show There was plenty of colour and variety in Saturday’s Cobden Santa Claus Parade, with 35 floats as well as horses and clowns, but the parade’s never complete until these stars appear. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus enthusiastically greet people along the route. Afterwards, they spent an hour meeting children and hearing their Christmas wishes.
Santa sets radar on Renfrew Peter Clark peter,clark@metroland.com
With the arrival of December on Saturday, you know that snowy days and the yuletide season arenʼt far behind. You also know the busy season for a big guy dressed in red swings into high gear. Renfrew officially kicks off the Christmas season Saturday (Dec. 1) with the arrival of Santa Claus to partake in the annual Renfrew Lions Club Santa Claus Parade. The 2012 parade gets underway at 1 p.m. from its customary start at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School. Itʼll roll down Stewart Street, across the bridge to Raglan, and up to the Renfrew
Armouries. There will be much to do once it gets there. “Weʼll have hot dogs and hot chocolate,” parade chairman Lion Randy Godin said. “Not only the participants, but everyone is invited. “Weʼll have a line for kids to get a bag of candy, and a second lineup to actually see Santa. “Santa usually stays until everyone (child) has gone through,” Godin added. The firefighters will be out with their boots collecting again this year, while there will also be a group collecting food items to fill a truck for the food bank. While he canʼt forecast how many floats will be in this
yearʼs Santa Claus parade, Godin noted the registration line-up starts around 11 a.m. “Most people have pre-registered,” he said, “but you can still register a float by calling 613-432-4488. Applications are also available at Sears, ProTyre and Laurier Optical today and tomorrow. “Now all we need is good weather,” Godin added. Mrs. Claus will be hosting breakfast Saturday at the Armouries from 8 to 11 a.m. The Renfrew parade is the first of two Santa Claus parades in the immediate area this weekend. The Calabogie Lions host their annual parade Sunday. It leaves St. Josephʼs Catholic School in Calabogie at 1:30 p.m. R0011773524
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