Downtown Acton BIA Winter Newsletter
Message from the Chair by Nancy Wilkes:
Well, now it’s starting to feel like Christmas. The days are getting shorter, the snow has arrived and there is a nip in the air!
Santa has already arrived in Acton. He made his annual stop for the Photo with Santa. Santa arrives before the Santa Claus Parade so kiddies can have their photo taken with Santa (courtesy of the BIA) then he runs off to make his appearance in the Parade! This BIA event has become more and more popular every year.
We are very excited with the upcoming Olympic Torch run. I feel we are so fortunate to have the Torch going through town. What an opportunity to showcase our downtown!
The Torch should arrive downtown about 8:00am. I normally open at 10:00am on Saturdays but I will be open for business at 8:00am this Saturday. This provides an opportunity to show everyone that we are open for business!! We decided to host our Old Fashion Christmas late this year so it will follow the Torch. Our Old Fashion Christmas will run from 9:00-12:00. Santa will arrive again downtown on the annual Horse and Buggy Ride with Santa. This BIA event is sponsored by individual merchants and the Acton BIA. We have our 1st Annual Road Hockey Tournament, an artificial ice surface (with thanks from ‘Synthetic Ice Solutions’ www.syntheticicesolutions.com), sing along Acton Citizen Band, and more.....I am hearing something about ‘The Wiener Cup’. I am anxious to see what this is about, rumour has it...local stars abound!!!!
Before we know it this magical time will be a memory again. Please enjoy the Season, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Prosperous New Year. Let’s start 2010 on a positive note. We are lucky to live where we live, lucky to have what we have, please enjoy The Village of Acton, we are happy to have you!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a VERY Prosperous 2010
BIA UPDATE by Josey Bonnette:
Santa Claus Parade “Visit With Santa”
We had a great turnout again this year. Thanks to my elves, Nicole, Jackie, Lauren and . And of course we can’t forget Santa (aka Jon Hurst)!
Olympic Torch Relay & Old Fashioned Christmas
This Saturday, December 19 the Olympic Torch will come thru Acton at approximately 8:00 a.m. and our Old Fashioned Christmas will start right after at approximately 9:00 a.m. Let’s be ready for an influx of people! Mill St. will be closed to vehicle traffic from Main to John St. from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. We have lots of activities planned.
Councillor’s Comments by Mike O’Leary:
Christmas is fast approaching even if the weather doesn’t refelct it. The mild weather has had some benefits for construction schedules.
The new Acton Medical Building, near the Hide House, is springing up like mushrooms. A few more days like we have been experiencing lately will allow the contractors to get the building closed in. This will make it easier for the trades to work on the inside walls and mechanicals before fixtures and furniture are installed.
The new addition to our downtown is scheduled to be open to see patients by March 2010. the new medical building is sorely needed. The existing building is not accessible to people with disabilities and many seniors have difficulty with those stairs.
A new medical facility should make it easier to attract new doctors to our town. Decent medical facilities will make Acton more attractive for families looking for a place to settle. This influx of new citizens will be an excellent opportunity for you to look for new customers.
On the development front the Region is still conducting tests for new water sources for Acton at both the Prospect Park well and at a site near 32nd sideroad and Regional Road 25 N. Hopefully we will hear some results early in the new year.
Neither the Town or Region are holding up this process which I know has been frustrating to some businesses in Town. The delay has been caused by successive tests demanded by the Ministry of the Environment & Conservation Authorities.
Even after the water issues are settled we still face a wastewater problem. The treatment plant has little capacity left and we shouldn’t look for any expansion for 5 or 6 years. So unless there is a substantial improvement in technology for the plant any development on the Beardmore lands won’t happen until then. Any capacity we do develop will be directed to industrial expansion.
As a former retailer I know how important some snow is to put customers in the Christmas spirit. Your BIA is working hard at generating excitement downtown and infusing some enthusiasm into your customers. Cooperate with the BIA, we’re all in this together. Your business will benefit in the end.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Acton BIA members from the Mayor and Councillors of the Town of Halton Hills. I wish you all peace, happiness and good health.
COMMUNITY EVENT: New Year’s Eve Celebration – Family Fun Night featuring 3 rooms of entertainment at Heritage Acton Town Hall located at 19 Willow St. N. behind Godfathers Pizza. Thursday, December 31, doors open at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds going to the Acton Town Hall Centre. Tickets are available on line at partycinemas.com or call 519-853-0053 or 519-853-5302.
Tickets are also available at various local businesses.