Council approves road closures for Character Run, Teddy Bear Play Day and Water festival

LISTOWEL – Although council ultimately approved the requested road closures for three local events, there was a lengthy discussion about the proposed Character Run route.

A letter addressed to council, in the correspondence of the April 8 council meeting, stated the 13th annual Character Run fundraiser would require the closure of Binning Street West from the entrance of the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex to Road 165; as well as Road 165 from Perth Line 86 to Line 87 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, May 30.

According to the maps included with the letter to council, the 1km, 3km, 5km, and 10km race routes will remain on the two roadways.

“This event aims to bring the community together, to promote health and fitness and a growing awareness of the character movement,” Meaghan Graham, Coordinator with North Perth Community of Character, wrote in the letter.

This event raises funds for the North Perth Community of Character, a non-profit organization that promotes and educates positive character traits through workshops, resources, and events.

“This is an opportunity to practice perseverance, responsibility, and courage,” Graham wrote in the letter dated March 21.

After introducing the topic to council, Mayor Todd Kasenberg asked councillors if they wished to comment on the correspondence, “given that there was some outcry last year about this event.”

Wallace Ward Coun. Lee Anne Andriessen said she could not support this request.

“I distinctly remember last year’s event, we got some feedback from local residents on that road, who had some very deep concerns about this closure,” she recalled.

“The other concern I have is that this road is an artery now, for agricultural equipment for business operations and trucks to go around town.”

She added that this closure request is longer than a typical parade closure and suggested a different route.

“My wondering is, we have a wonderful trail system is it possible to do a run on the trail system versus on public roads that are on main arteries in our municipality.”

Although Elma Ward Coun. Allan Rothwell said he was not involved in the coordination of the event, he has been a past volunteer, and said “The benefit of this location is that it is all under one umbrella, if you will, in a location. It makes things a lot easier in the sense of crossing roads from a public safety perspective.”

Coun. Marc Noordam echoed his Wallace ward counterpart and added that this road will be used heavily in the future when a truck bypass is implemented. He suggested including, “Start looking for another route” in the motion from council.

“Indeed, I’m not sure council should direct that, but I hear your message,” Kasenberg replied.

There was no interest expressed to building upon the motion presented to them in the letter from the coordinator. When the vote was called, a motion to approve the road closure was carried by a vote of 8-2, with Andriessen and Noordam opposed.

Teddy Bear Play Day

Without discussion, council approved the requested road closure from the North Perth Programs Department and North Perth EarlyON Centre for the annual Teddy Bear Family Play Day event on Saturday, June 15.

In a letter to council, Amy Gangl, manager of programs, and Kelly Broughton, program coordinator, requested the closure of Royal Street from Elizabeth Street to Davidson Avenue; and Derry Street to Maitland Ave. N, between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The request was granted with a unanimous vote.

Water Festival

In a letter to council from Maitland Conservation, the organizer of the 2024 Perth Children’s Water Festival, it was requested that Royal St. E. from Elizabeth St. E. to the pool; and Derry St. E. from the pool to Maitland St. N. be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday May 26, 2024, as well as on the rain date of June 2, if necessary.

This event has previously been held in Stratford and Mitchell and this year the committee asked to use the west side of Listowel Memorial Park. The festival is a free family event with approximately 20 stations focused on the importance of water. An organizing committee has come together, comprised of Municipality of North Perth staff, Maitland Conservation, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, local businesses, community groups, and agencies.

A motion to approve the road closure was passed unanimously by council.

Kelsey Bent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Listowel Banner