GORE BAY—The idea for a community spirit and events meeting is to bring together local residents—both long-time and newcomers—to the Town of Gore Bay to bring forward ideas and input on organizing and hosting community events.
“There are so many new people in town who don’t necessarily know all the events and activities we have here and they and other residents have great ideas and want to help organize events in the community,” said Kelly Chaytor, a Gore Bay councillor. She explained all members of the public are invited to attend a community spirit and events meeting taking place next week. A poster advertising the meeting states, ‘Do you have great ideas? Do you want to create more excitement in your community? Come out and join us and see what we’re all about.’
“The meeting is open to all members of the public, and we are holding it on behalf of the town,” said Councillor Chaytor. “We would like to get more people involved and hopefully come up with good ideas and volunteers to help organize more events and activities. The first meeting will take place February 29.
Ms. Chaytor said “a small group of us have organized the Family Day celebrations (this past Monday) including the fireworks that are being put on by the Gore Bay Fire Department. Both Mike Addison and Duncan Sinclair (firefighters) were totally in support of this. We always seem to be in a fire ban during the summer but if we were ever going to have fireworks in the winter, this is the year for it.”
The upcoming meeting has the end goal of a winter carnival in future years, said Councillor Chaytor. She pointed out thus far she and Aly Niemi and Duncan Sinclair are on board to be members of the committee. “Hopefully a lot of other people will want to start a community spirit and events committee and provide input on what kind of activities could be held that would be great. We will be asking for input from and partner with all the service groups in town in helping to put on events. As long as a person is a ‘doer,’ we definitely want them to be part of the committee.”
At this point Councillor Chaytor said she is already expecting between 10-12 residents who have shown interest will be attending the upcoming public meeting. She stressed, “people need to understand we don’t expect anyone to volunteer for every event this committee comes up with. For instance, I am going to help organize the Easter egg hunt this year and we are trying to get residents, including new people to the town, and those that don’t know of all the events that are held in town to come forward and provide their input and ideas.”
“I love organizing events, but it takes more than one or two people to put them together and organize an event,” said Ms. Chaytor. “As I mentioned, we are also going to be sending letters to all local service clubs, committees and sports groups organizations to partner together.” And we want to advertise other things that people can enjoy in the community, including things like the Gore Bay Museum.”
The community spirit and events meeting will take place on Thursday, February 29 at 6 pm in the Gore Bay community hall.
