A Piece Of Colliingwood Maritime History Is About To Sink

  It is unfortunate that we as Canadians have taken such a laissez-faire position to saving and preserving items that offer a glimpse of our past and represent a historic value that cannot be replaced once lost.

  The master plan for the redevelopment of Collingwood's harbour front is no doubt years away from being fully implemented and completed but hopefully amongst its many features it will serve to recognize and celebrate the Town's shipbuilding and maritime past. 

  The S.S. Norisle pictured here was built in Collingwood in 1946 and served as a passenger and car ferry between Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island up to 1974 when its replacement the Chi Cheemaun (also built in Collingwood) went into service.  Up to its retirement, the Norisle was the last steam powered passenger ship on the Great Lakes. The ship was subsequently sold by the province to the Township of Assiginack on Manitoulin Island for $1 (one dollar) and towed to the town of Manitowaning where it has remained ever since.  The ship went through a number of uses including that of a restaurant and later a museum but has sat idle for many years deteriorating.  I took these drone shorts of the ship earlier this summer. 

  My mother was born on Manitoulin, I have spent every summer there since I was an infant and my brother and I have a cottage property a short distance from the ferry dock that we have owned for 45 years.  In my late teens for a summer job I worked on the ferry dock at South Baymouth parking cars, then tying up the Norisle and it's sister ship the Norgoma when they arrived.  I also drove cars on and off the ferries which in itself was a challenge especially on the Norisle as it involved taking cars down an elevator into a dark lower hold.  There was no turning around to back up, you watched and followed the directions of the 1ST or 2ND Mate as he pointed and moved his finger as to how and where to steer.  It was a great experience.

  In recent years the Norisle has been at the centre of a lawsuit between the Township of Assiginack and the S.S. Norisle Steamship Society.  The Society was hoping to purchase the ship and restore it so as to offer cruises such as the Seqwun does on the Muskoka lakes.  While doable that in itself is a large and expensive undertaking given the ship is 72 years old and today's safety requirements are much more stringent.

  News was released yesterday that the Township and Norisle Steamship Society have reached an agreement resolving their dispute.  The ship is being sold to a group in Tobermory (Tobermory Maritime Association) that will acquire the ship and subsequently sink it as a scuba diving site.   It's too bad that something more appropriate could not have been decided for the fate of this piece of Collingwood history.  While 5,000 or 6,000 scuba diving enthusiasts visit Tobermory annually, that number is minuscule (Collingwood gets more than that on one weekend to see Elvis impersonators) compared to the number of visitors the ship could attract as a permanent, moored fixture here in Collingwood or elsewhere. 

  This is another piece of Canadian history and Collingwood heritage that will be lost which is too bad.  That is why many of us are working diligently via the Nottawasaga Lighthpouse Preservation Society of which I am the current Chair to acquire and restore the Nottawasaga lighthouse off Collingwood.  More of that in future posts.

Collingwood Loses The Enterprise Bulletin Newspaper

   The big news of the day is the news media itself.  Torstar and Postmedia have agreed to a non monetary swap of some 40 newspapers of which all but about five will be shutdown.  What does this mean for our immediate area?  The Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin and the Meaford Express will no longer cease to exist, driving by the Enterprise Bulletin today reflects that the door is already locked.
  For many, this comes as no surprise.  Declining advertising revenues stemming from more and more consumers both searching for and buying products and services online has taken a heavy toll on newspapers overall income.  I remember years ago the Toronto Star having a whole classified section just for cars.  Those ads quickly disappeared as the result of the Auto Trader publication and later autotrader.ca.  The same scenario has unfolded several times since affecting virtually every type of business I can think of.
  Back in August of 2012 I did a post titled Print Versus Online Advertising. I had attended a real estate conference and sat in on a session pertaining to advertising.  In 2010, online advertising expenditures across the U.S exceeded print advertising.  While this statistic was based on the U.S., Canada would be no different.  Canada has always been one of the global leaders in the adoption of Internet services so to think that print advertising was not already under severe threat in this country is foolish. 
  Real estate has remained one of the last strongholds for print advertising expenditures.  Home sellers are often impressed to see their property advertised in one of the local papers or in one of the many area magazines but the reality is, obtaining a buyer through a print ad is very very rare.  I cannot think of when I last had a call or email inquiry from a print property ad. No matter how nice or how many photos an add may contain, sites like realtor.ca allow for up to 30 photos plus virtual tours.  A postage stamp sized photo(s) with a bit of text in a print ad pales in comparison to how a property can effectively be marketed online and with a global reach versus just a local one.
  Whats broken in the newspaper industry is not the lack of news or the number of potential readers, its the advertising revenue model.  The print news industry needs to figure out how to better attract and monetize online advertising.  Websites such as Facebook and Kijiji offer free advertising but get revenue by selling upgraded ad options on their sites.  In the wake of declining ad revenues newspapers have been forced to increase the cost pf their papers. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a the weekend edition of the Globe and Mail with my groceries, little did I realize it was $6.00.  Never again will I buy a weekend paper.
  While its too bad to see an institution like the Enterprise Bulletin fold, the reality is papers such as these cannot financially sustain themselves by selling printed ad space, technology is a powerful foe and failing to adopt to an ever changing landscape driven by technology no matter what business you are in is a fool's game. 
  What is unnerving is the potential lack of local content in the news that will be available to us covering such things a municipal and community affairs.  Time will tell if the one remaining print newspaper, the Connection will survive in print or will it too face the same fate as these other publications?

Saving The Nottawasaga Lighthouse

  Last year I was asked if I would let my name stand for the Board of Directors of the Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society (NLPS) and as someone who likes to give back to the community, I heartily agreed.  At the NLPS Annual general meeting in June I was both elected to the Board and subsequently asked if I would act as Chair for the group which I further agreed to.  My great grandfather was a lighthouse keeper at South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island so I suppose its in my blood.

  A lot has happened in the ensuing nine months some of which I will share here, and it's all due to the efforts of what has to be the hardest working, most dedicated group of individuals on the Board of Directors as well as other volunteers engaged in fundraising etc. that I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

  Ten or twelve years ago when I was a Director of the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce, the late Jim Kilgour came to the Chamber with the idea of restoring the Nottawasaga Lighthouse.  At the time this seemed like an ambitious plan, little did we know back then just how large this undertaking actually is and not just from a monetary standpoint.  Multi-levels of the federal government are involved including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Public Works both of which have been extremely supportive of our efforts.  The DFO who is tasked with disposing of dozens of lighthouses across Canada has called us "the most credible group we are working with," granting us permission to access the island last fall to undertake the shrink wrapping of the tower.  Despite a very uncooperative Mother Nature which necessitated wrapping of the tower not once but twice, the work was completed under the most adverse of conditions while I guiltily vacationed in New Zealand.  Special mention and thanks goes out to NLPS Vice-Chair Stephen Emo, Board Member Robert Square and to our Engineers Doug Harkbart and Erle Heintzman for persevering literally to the bitter end, completing the work on December 8th and remarkably under budget.  During the work we completed last fall, the government commissioned a structural assessment of the tower Stantec Engineering and despite the significant amount of exterior stone that has fallen off, the tower is structurally sound with no signs of leaning or other movement.

The current issue of On The Bay magazine features a letter I submitted thanking a number of local businesses who generously helped us throughout the wrapping process.  These include: Weatherall Dock and Dredge of Markdale, CRS Rentals Collingwood, Bill Brown Lumber Collingwood, SDM Construction of Woodbridge, Collingwood Home Hardware and the Town of Collingwood, Parks and Rec Department.


Since last year's Annual General Meeting our Treasurer Nancy Leno, sister of the late Jim Kilgour and NLPS secretary Pat Anstett have worked behind the scenes building a much improved accounting and membership management system along with better banking arrangements.  Last fall we launched a newsletter to keep our Members abreast of our activities and accomplishments and we trust they have found this informative.  For the most up-to-date and accurate recap of our activities, NLPS members and the public-at-large are encouraged to visit the  "Official" NLPS Facebook page.

  As with any project of this size, fundraising is a huge component of what needs to be done to accomplish the ultimate goal, first restoring the lighthouse and later rebuilding the lightkeeper's house which fell victim to a fire many years ago.  NLPS Fundraising Chair Gary Norman has and continues to work tirelessly on numerous initiatives aimed at building our financial reserves and creating awareness of our cause.  Throughout the past months we have received some noteworthy contributions from both private individuals and corporate donors.  Most recently we launched the sale of lighthouse prints, featuring the work of local artist Andrew Peycha.  Andrew's picture of the tower was commissioned by local Collingwood residents John and Carol Saunders who graciously loaned us their original to make 200 limited edition copies each one signed and numbered by the artist.  Prints are available for $125.00 with a framing package offered by Georgian Frame Gallery.

  Despite a blustery winter with a lot of severe winds,  the accompanying photo I recently shot with my drone shows that the wrapping of the tower completed last fall has stood up as expected.  The initially installed shrink wrap which fell victim to high winds last November was replaced with a heavier, reinforced tarpaulin material used by the trucking industry`and we anticipate it will readily stand up for two or three years while we raised the necessary funds to commence the restoration process.

  As of this posting, discussions are underway for the eventual transfer of ownership of the property from the government to NLPS.  Land Registry records which as a REALTOR® I have access to reflects the current owner as "Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada."  Prior to any transfer of ownership taking place, an environmental assessment of the tower lands and other steps need to be completed.  During the remainder of this year we hope to undertake a thorough cleaning of the interior, complete some additional wrapping of the exterior a start work on some shoreline improvements for a better docking arrangement at some future point in time.  None of this work will happen quickly but it will nonetheless be rewarding and will get us that much closer to realizing our ultimate goal.    

  We have seen an overwhelming level of support from the community all of whom are hoping to see our vision for the restoration of the lighthouse fulfilled. We have made numerous presentations to local community groups including probus clubs and others, sharing the history of the Nottawasaga Lighthouse and our vision for its future.  If you and your group would like to learn more and would like to arrange a speaking engagement please feel free to contact me by phone or email as shown at the bottom of this post. 

While we are a determined and dedicated group that has accomplished a great deal, we need your help.  Volunteers are needed for a variety of functions including fundraising, membership promotion, marketing and other activities.  If you would like to learn more or to volunteer for what is proving to be a fun project please visit the NLPS website, and be sure to LIKE the Official NLPS Facebook page.  Please feel free to contact me at 705-443-1037 or via email chair@nlps.info to learn more. 

You Can Help Save The Nottawasaga Lighthouse

As many of you may be aware, there has been a movement afoot for a number of years now by a dedicated and passionate group of volunteers to acquire and restore the Nottawasaga Lighthouse. Originally initiated by the late Jim Kilgour, this project was stalled due to Jim's untimely passing and was subsequently resurrected by Krista King and a following of eager and passionate individuals that are strong advocates of seeing this iconic structure restored to its former glory.

 

  I am an avid boater and have spent my entire life travelling on Georgian Bay and northern Lake Huron based from cottage at South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.  I have a great appreciation for and fascination with lighthouses, both as navigational aids while boating as well as the unique architectural and historical significance they represent  My great grandfather was the lightkeeper of two range lights at South Baymouth one of which is pictured here so there is also some family connection to these unique structures.

  The Nottawasaga Lighthouse was one of six "Imperial" towers built between 1855 and 1858.  Ironically, our own Nottawasaga Lighthouse went into service in 1858, the very same year that the Town of Collingwood was incorporated.   All six of the towers are still in existence today, unfortunately the Nottawasaga Lighthouse is in the worst shape stemming from years of neglect as the light was decommissioned in 2003 after which it was subsequently struck by lightning causing further damage.  For a complete history of the lighthouse and other information please visit the Nottawasaga Lighthouse Preservation Society (NLPS) website.

  This past June I was elected to the NLPS Board of Directors and humbly assumed the position of Chairman.  Collectively the Board has worked very hard through the summer months and this week we are in the process of taking the first step in what we hope will be a successful and historically correct restoration of the tower and eventually the rebuilding of the lightkeeper's house.  The accompanying picture is one of the six Imperial towers, this one on Cove Island off Tobermory.  One day the Nottawasga Lighthouse will stand as proudly as this one.  Over the next four to six weeks we will be shrink wrapping the tower to help prevent any further degradation of the structure while we raise the necessary funds for its restoration.  While this work is underway you too can help.

  Aviva Canada is one of the leading casualty and property insurers in Canada.  Each year the Aviva Community Fund provides $1 million in funding for special community projects across the country and this year the Nottawasaga Lighthouse has made their list of contenders for up to $100,000 in funding.  You can help by casting you vote to save our "Light."  To date we have over 9,300 votes but many more are needed.  Please visit Aviva's "Help Save The Nottawasaga Lighthouse" webpage or the NLPS website to cast your vote and encourage your friends to do likewise.  Each person can cast 18 votes, it's quick and easy yet will potentially mean a great deal in helping us to secure this funding opportunity.

  In the coming weeks I will endeavour to keep you apprised of the shrink wrapping process as we race against the weather to complete the work.  If you have any questions and or to offer your support in any way, we are always looking for volunteers in various capacities so feel free to contact me at 705-443-1037 or via email at rrcrouch@rogers.com

  

A Cultural Wasteland We Are Not

  Many of the buyers that we deal with on a daily basis in real estate, have been coming to or are drawn to the Georgian Triangle due to the many recreational sports the area offers. Long known as the ski capital of Ontario, the area now is home to many other outdoor activities that is making it a popular choice for both part-time recreational users as well as for retirees. Golf, hiking, biking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are but some of the many activities available to those seeking an active outdoor lifestyle.

  The area however also offers much more than just outdoor sports to keep one busy and physically healthy. There is also a plethora of other interests in this area which are not typically found in smaller communities. I grew up and lived in Toronto for 30+ years before moving to Collingwood in 1985. Following seven years of living here, I spent four years in Chicago before returning in 1998. When I am not working, I spend what leisure time I can afford during the summer at my cottage on Manitoulin Island. Make no mistake about it, I like small towns and will never move back to the city but let's face it, most small places are what can only be described as a cultural wasteland. Not so here. We have a myriad of social activities to satisfy most tastes, enough so as to prolong the need to head south to Toronto or elsewhere for a cultural "fix" now and then. This includes an active arts community, live theatre, a film club, live concerts and more. Last weekend I attended a concert at the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood which was essentially a tribute concert of the 70's rock group "The Band." The band that played is known as King Harvest, named after one the original group's many songs. Members of King Harvest are all local musicians, further testimony to the multitude of talented individuals that call this area home. The show drew a standing ovation, the quality of the performance was excellent and the Gayety was literally rockin.
  As I have stated many times, one of my favourite quotes comes from the author David Foot that wrote the book Boom, Bust, Echo. In that book Mr. Foot states that: "...real estate is affected far more by demographics than it is by economics..." Nowhere is this more evident than in the Georgian Triangle. The demographics driving our real estate market are those individuals with a variety of interests and a multitude of talent that once thrived only in the large urban areas to the south of us. Whether you are in to music, theatre, painting, film or a host of other non-active recreational activities, we truly do offer something for everyone.



 

Collingwood's New Library Now Open

 

This past week I finally made a point and took the time to visit Collingwood's new public library.  Notwithstanding the fact that numerous details remain to be finished on the exterior, the library has now been open for a couple of weeks and by all accounts is receiving a positive response from the public. 

Libraries have often been the focal point in many smaller communities and hopefully ours will continue to be as well. The exterior stills lacks some final touches but overall, the faux heritage look fits in well with the downtown core.  Overall, I sensed a much more intimate feel on the inside as the interior dimensions seemed to create the feeling of a much smaller space than what the three storey exterior would suggest.  The children's area is well done and overall the building offers ample space to sit and relax in bright sun filled spaces.

  Perhaps it's a bit early to tell but I was anticipating more "gallery" space throughout the building that would serve to feature the work of local artists. As a budding artist myself I have always enjoyed viewing the various paintings that often graced the meeting room in the old library and this was a facet of the new building that I had hoped would be expanded.

This building came at a significant cost and there have been times when I questioned whether or not the municipality should be spending the money given the town's increased debt.  In this day and age of digital print media and devices such as Amazon's "Kindle" and Apple's new iPad, you really have to question the wisdom of spending millions on the bricks and mortar inventorying and delivery of reading materials. 

Every effort should be made to leverage this facility to its fullest extent the potential for which goes far beyond the loaning out of books.

BMFA Studio Tour Showcases Area Talent

This past weekend the Blue Mountain Foundation For The Arts hosted their 21st annual Studio Tour at various venues throughout Collingwood, Clearview and the Blue Mountains. As a budding painter, I took some time off my real estate duties over the weekend and visited a number of the locations that featured works of particular interest to myself.
One of the many attractions that draws people to this area for recreational and more significantly retirement purposes are not only the active sports at our disposal but the many forms of cultural activities for persons to engage in. Concerts, live theatre, garden and other clubs plus a very active and talented arts community have developed in recent years creating yet another reason why the Georgian Triangle has become a mecca for retirees. In making the rounds throughout various homes and galleries over the weekend it became readily apparent that the area is home to a variety of talented artisans. The paintings, sculptures, and jewellery that were on display and for sale are a product of both their creator's talent and no doubt of the inspiration they derive from residing in such a beautiful area. Landscapes of Georgian Bay, the Beaver Valley and Niagara Escarpment were highly prevalent throughout the weekend, a further testament as to why so many have sought to reside in this picturesque part of Ontario. Living in a small town often means giving up the social and cultural amenities that many have become accustomed to living in places like Toronto and the GTA. Not so in the Georgian Triangle. With a year-round plethora of varied activities, there is something virtually for everyone.
Although two or three hours spent touring the various studios over the weekend was far too short, I came aware from the experience both thankful for having the opportunity to live and work in this area but more importantly, I was inspired to pull out my paints and brushes on a more frequent basis to indulge in creating some works that depict the landscape we all too often take for granted.

No Horsing Around!

A recent newsletter circulating throughout the area reports that “Cedar Run,” better known as The Thornbury Horse Park is progressing favourably and that a significant amount of development work has thus far been completed.
Peter Lush the principal stakeholder in the project reports that “a group of highly talented and experienced individuals” has been assembled “to support our efforts to create a great Park.” Located near the junction of Grey Road 2 and Clark Street (aka the Clarksburg Sideroad) this facility will consist of a world-class equestrian facility, residential condominiums and other club amenities with Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain and the Beaver Valley as a backdrop. Work that is scheduled to be completed this year includes the construction of jumps, the building of a fourth pond, further establishment of grass in the competition areas and the completion of trails throughout the grounds etc.
Cedar Run is being billed as Canada’s first world-class multidisciplinary equestrian facility offering something for both equestrian enthusiasts and the general public alike. Once completed, the facility will host a variety of equestrian competitions and will have the potential to accommodate up to 1,700 horses at a time. Facilities/activities such as this are having a tremendous impact on diversifying the area’s recreational amenities making the Georgian Triangle area an increasingly desirable location for people of all interests to come. I wish the organizers of this bold venture every success with this exciting initiative.

Our "Creative Economy"

This past week I ran into a local arts patron and due to my involvement with the Chamber of Commerce we had a discussion on the growing economic impact that arts and culture is having on our area. Afterwards she emailed me some interesting information pertaining to a study that the Conference Board of Canada is undertaking on what is referred to as our "creative economy." To gauge the growing importance that creative, artisitic activity and its related products and services has on our economy please note the following:


"In Canada, this sector accounts for 3.8 percent of GDP and provides employment to nearly 600,000 workers. Arts and cultural industries are important drivers of creativity, innovation and job creation. It is predicted that the creative economy will continue to grow rapidly due to the lower costs in accessing technologies that are used to create and disseminate cultural products and experiences." Source: Conference Board of Canada


Our aging population is no doubt playing a significant role in the growth of arts and culture in Canada and closer here to home in the Georgian Triangle. In retirement, many people have both the time and financial resources to partake in artisitic endeavours and with the growing migration of such people into our area, one need only take note of the numerous businesses that have sprung up along Hurontario Street in the form of galleries and other organizations all related to arts and culture including: The Above Group- Level Gallery, Fishbowl, The Bay School of Arts and the Magic of Children in the Arts with their Magic Art Gallery above Saunders Office Pro amongst others.
Collingwood has had for years a very active cinema club and amateur arts following. Add to that organizations such as the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, Theatre Collingwood's efforts to establish a new facility in town and the forthcoming new library and it's not hard to realize the growing impact arts and culture will play in the future of our local economy. We've all heard the term "starving artists" and know how hard it is to be economically successful utilizing one's creative talents. My hat goes off to those who have the passion and committment to bring such worthwhile creative additions to our communtities. Your efforts will benefit us all not only socially, but economically as well.