The Town of Innisfil held its annual New Year's Levee on Saturday, in a new location.
Instead of holding the event at the Innisfil Town Hall, the event took place at the Cookstown Library and Community Centre.
The idea was to bring the celebration to another corner of the municipality, encourage residents to explore their town, and make new connections.
Town crier Steve Travers 'cried' the levee, introducing Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin and members of council.
Dollin, Travers said, “is committed to ensuring that her council work diligently together,” to make Innisfil “the very epitome of what this country, Canada stands for," which is a respectful and caring community.
His comments were greeted with applause by the families who came out for a pancake breakfast cooked up by the Cookstown Volunteer Firefighters; face-painting in the library; music by Fresh 93 FM; crafts; the magic of The Amazing Andrew, and a visit from Elsa and Olaf, from Frozen.
Dollin thanked council and town staff for their support. She also thanked the firefighters – “they are and always will be the heart of Cookstown,” she said – Foodland for providing the breakfast fixings, and Tim Hortons for the free coffee and hot chocolate.
“There are so many things to look forward to, this year,” Dollin said, providing a look ahead at 2020.
Construction will begin on a new GO train station on Line 6; Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre will bring new services to the Rizzardo Health & Wellness Centre; and a new deal with Uber will ensure that it will cost no more than $4 to access the Rizzardo Centre from any point in the municipality.
“We’re also working on a new initiative that’s going to create more and better jobs in Innisfil,” she said.
On top of that, the mayor noted, “Innisfil is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the community” this year.
Dollin also thanked OLG for its ongoing support, not only through the more than $85 million received over the past two decades, from hosting the OLG slots and tables at Georgian Downs racetrack, but also OLG's ongoing support of events that include the New Year's Levee, and projects like the new outdoor refrigerated ice rink at the Cookstown library.
Tyjondah Kerr, senior municipal relations manager with the OLG, spoke at the levee, telling councillors and residents: "We want to grow stronger communities – stronger, healthier, connected communities. We’re just so proud of this partnership.”
Dollin wrapped up by noting that “Innisfil is known as a place where people live, work and play... I’m thankful, proud and honoured to be your mayor. Happy New Year to everyone!”
