A long-running farmers' market is on the move.
By moving to the Mountjoy Historical Park, the Mountjoy Farmers' Market will be able to build a permanent structure for the vendors to use Saturday mornings, and for the community to enjoy the rest of the time.
“The Timmins Porcupine District Agricultural Society is happy to bring a building for the whole community, not just for us and not just for the farmers’ market. It’s a venture that the whole city will hopefully enjoy for the next 40 years,” said Rock Whissell, Porcupine District Agricultural Society president.
Whissell has been talking to the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority (MRCA) about options for the structure since January and was given permission to go ahead last week.
The 30 by 100-foot pavilion will have room for about 20 vendors, and allow them to back up to their spots.
It will be located near the existing washroom facility, which also gives them access to electricity, said Whissell.
“The location was perfect, it’s a parking lot that the MRCA don’t use very much, so we’re building right in the middle of the parking lot. We’re going to have a gate closing that parking lot so there’s no vehicles around it other than the vendors,” he said.
By being setting up next to Riverside Drive, he said the location will have higher traffic and be more visible, and is accessible as well.
The goal is to build the structure this year.
Eacom has signed on to donate the lumber, and Whissell is hoping other companies will jump on board now that there is an approved location.
"If I can get as much in-kind as I can and some financial support, I’ve got until July 14 to build this, I just got to make sure everything’s in place first before we commit to start building it,” he said.
Even if the pavilion isn't built in time for the start of the farmers' market, the event will still be run at the new location. Whissell said they still have the large tent from last year that could be set up in the parking lot.
If you'd like to donate to the project, contact Whissell at 705-266-3455 or email [email protected].
