The holiday season will continue to be lit in Cookstown.
Recently, council approved a motion providing discretionary funding to ensure the Cookstown and District Chamber of Commerce can continue to decorate the village's downtown in November and December and host its annual Light Up Night event.
A maximum of $9,000 will be allotted through the council strategic initiative fund to cover the placement cost of the tree and decorative streetlights this fall.
The resolution was put forward by Coun. Fred Drodge, the ward representative for Cookstown, following discussions with the chamber. During those meetings, and in a follow-up letter, the chamber told councillors the previous arrangement it had with InnPower to help install the lights and set up the tree could not be continued.
As the town already has funding set aside for decorations in Alcona, Drodge felt it important that the town step up to support Cookstown.
“It’s unfortunate that InnPower is not going to be able to do these things for us anymore, but I do believe it’s a necessity for the town,” Drodge said.
The financial commitment only covers 2024, however. Future support for Cookstown’s holiday decorations will need to be secured through the town's 2025-26 budget process.
The chamber provided council with a list of how such money would be spent, including trimming the community tree, the installation and removal annually of the decorations — either by a public corporation or private entity — and the installation of additional standard posts along King Street to be illuminated with existing decorations.
“We believe that addressing these issues will contribute to the enhancement of our community's festive spirit and create a more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike,” chamber president Heidi Visser wrote in a letter to council.
The motion passed unanimously.
