VARNA – Members of the Zurich Agricultural Society (ZAS) say the Municipality of Bluewater has yet to hold up its end of the bargain for the sale of the new Zurich arena property on East St.

ZAS president Joan Van Sligtenhorst and a small group of other representatives attended the Feb. 16 Bluewater council meeting to inquire about a provision in the sale agreement they say calls for the construction of a building for animal exhibits at the municipality’s expense.

According to the ZAS the new arena property was transferred to Bluewater in 2003 for $1, with the stipulation that a grant of $23,000 be provided to cover the cost of a new exhibit building.

The building has yet to be erected, something the ZAS says is hurting the Zurich Fair more each year,  “due to the fact we have limited space and unsuitable location for the exhibitors to display their prize winning animal exhibits.”

The purchase agreement includes the stipulation that Bluewater would ensure adequate space is provided for fair exhibits, either in the new arena and community centre, or at another facility erected at the municipality’s expense.

The agreement states the cost of the facility would not exceed $23,000.

Van Sligtenhorst told council prices have gone up in the seven years since the agreement was signed, and new estimates indicate the cost would be between $26,000 and $30,000.

Greg O’Brien, another ZAS representative who attended the Feb. 16 meeting, told council the group isn’t applying for $23,000 – they’re applying for the agreement to be completed.

Councillor at Large Jim Fergusson said he thinks council has full intent to fulfill the agreement but didn’t have the document in front of it at the Feb. 16 meeting.

He said he would like to have a copy of the agreement and see the matter brought back at a later date.

 Deputy Mayor Dave Johnston Sr. offered similar sentiments, saying council needed the agreement as well as knowledge of what’s been done on the matter.

O’Brien said such measures include one of the ZAS’s initial requests: a wider entrance, along with a temporary hydro source and a water line.

Mayor Bill Dowson suggested that a report be brought back from Bluewater’s facilities manager, and council voted to recommend that a report be prepared in time for the March 1 council meeting.

Van Sligtenhorst said in an interview the Zurich Fair used to be held on the grounds of the former Babe Siebert Arena, which is now a paintball facility.

The fair has since been moved to the new arena property, which is close by, but in the move the ZAS didn’t have buildings for pigeons, ducks, sheep and other animals.
Van Sligtenhorst said the ZAS at one point held the fair in two different locations, with some events taking place at the old arena grounds and others at the new arena grounds.

“There was no cohesion to the whole thing, and we were getting a few spectators here and a few there,” she said. “It was a very negative effect to our fair. Last year we pulled it all together, but it was kind of haphazard.”

In a letter to council the ZAS expressed gratitude with the municipality’s assistance in 2009 with temporary hydro and water, along with some grass cutting, filling in part of a ditch, widening a driveway and allowing tiling necessary to drain the land and making it possible to build a permanent horse ring.

According to the letter, the grounds are now in need of leveling and tree planting, along with a permanent hydro hookup and shelter.

Van Sligtenhorst said the ZAS hopes to see the measures taken in time for this year’s fair in July.