Foundation embarks on visioning for Creemore

As construction of the Village Green project continues, its proponents, the Creemore Community Foundation, is setting its sights on the future, asking how it can invest in the community.
“The Foundation now has to start looking at what it’s going to do next, how it wants to invest in the future in Creemore and in the area” said Creemore Community Foundation director Stuart Lazier. “From our perspective, we wanted to do a survey to really find out how the Foundation can contribute to the vitality of the community, and the vitality of Mill Street. That’s really what it’s all about. How are we going to be investing in the community tomorrow?”
The foundation has engaged Small, the same agency that led the community input sessions for the Village Green project, to help establish “a vision for Creemore?”
Lazier said the results of that visioning will also be used to inform this round.
The steering committee is chaired by Greg Young (CARA) and includes Lazier, Laurie Severn (BIA), Sara Sniderhan, Rob Green (CORE) and Michael Emory (CEO and Founder of Allied Properties REIT), who has knowledge about heritage buildings and has been instrumental in rejuvenating parts of cities across the country, said Lazier.
In addition to a 30-question survey that is currently being circulated, there have been several virtual meetings with stakeholders from the agricultural, business and community sectors and a number of one-on-one interviews with politicians, township staff, and key influencers.
“All with the goal of trying to put together a plan at the end that will be a real action plan,” said Lazier… “What really needs to happen in this village to create sustainable vitality for our community?”
He said they are trying to reach a large cross section of the community, at a time when in-person meetings are not allowed.
The survey asks about events, amenities, the designation of heritage buildings, downtown beautification, and agritourism.
“The whole point is that we have a plan and that it’s carefully thought out and put together by people who are smart. Obviously the plan will change over time and evolve,” said Lazier.
Although the vision is more of a big picture plan, the results may also inform what events could take place at the new Village Green. In the spring, the Foundation is hiring a full-time programmer to look after operations there. Lazier said he hopes the park will be done at the end of June, and already many of the elements are coming together at the site beside Foodland.
The deadline to reply to the survey is Jan. 4.
The survey is available online at www.creemorecommunityfoundation.ca and hard copies may be available at some essential businesses that are open during the lockdown.