CORNWALL, Ontario – From the top of the world podium in athletics to the bright lights of the Saturday Night Live studio, in New York City, Cornwall’s international profile, among other successes for the past year, were highlighted at the annual Team Cornwall Year in Review, held at the Galaxy Cinemas, on Wednesday.
It was a full house as members of the business community attended the early morning breakfast and meeting, presented by Bob Peters of Cornwall Economic Development, who led the presentation with over 200 good news stories.
“It was another busy year with the value of building permits expected to top 55 million, and an anticipated busy start to 2016,” said Peters.
On the residential front, among many, at the Cotton Mill District, the new Edison building opened, with occupancy by residents and businesses already taking place.
Other changes to city scape took shape in the form of the Knox City Centre, 36 unit apartment building, downtown, as well as various subdivisions around the city.
As far as special events, last year, according to Cornwall Tourism, their impact for 2015 topped 221 million dollars.
These included the International Plowing Match with an estimated attendance of 83,000, the effects of which were felt here in Cornwall. The event drew visitors from across Ontario, Quebec and the States.
Others included The Shorty Jenkins classic which brought world class curlers to Cornwall including some of the biggest names in the sport.
“Beerfest was a knock out success,” said Peters. Held at NAV Centre, it attracted over 1200 people, showcasing local vendors and restaurants. It will return in 2016.
Cornwall Foodfest was another new event, held downtown, which featured a number of food trucks with specialty food and local restaurants. The event drew more than 5000 people.
Cornwall and Area Pop Expo’s inaugural event attracted 3500 people at the Benson Centre, and be back in 2016 as a two-day event.
Peters highlighted some of the amazing success stories, from community members, including Emily Vallance, 14, world kick boxing champion, who will defend her title in China, next year, as well as high school students, Samantha Peetes and Jeremy Mallette, who won gold at the Canada-wide science fair.
“We may have the athletic excellence but we also have the academic excellence, as well. They are role models for the rest of our students, throughout the school system, of what you can achieve,” said Peters.
Celebrating milestones, the Cornwall Public Library, which opened its doors in 1895, celebrated 120 and Cornwall Chamber of commerce, its 125th.
As far as the institutional sector, the Agape Centre completed a major renovation of one million dollars, and the Cornwall Community Hospital broke ground on its new additions and mental health services centre, as well as the development of a new chemotherapy suite to be operational in 2016.
“This is great for our needs and attracting new residents and businesses,” said Peters.
On the educational side, construction on Bridgewood Elementary, at Marleau and Nick Kaneb Drive, began in the spring, and Central Public and Eamer’s Corners schools each received expansions to the tune of 2.3 million and 2.6 million respectively.
Other major changes in the city’s landscape took place with the lowering of the main span of the international bridge and the maintenance and facelift to our water tank.
“You can see it from miles away, said Peters of the water tank. It’s a great calling card for the city.
Seaway News was also singled out for the success of its most popular edition ever of Cornwall Living Magazine, with local blues guitarist, Paul Deslauriers on the cover.
“We can’t keep it on the newsstands.”
The mention of our friendly city on the iconic Saturday Night Live, hosted by Cornwall native, Ryan Gosling, was certainly not missed.
The 90-minute presentation was followed by a vendor market featuring local artisans.
Full details of the meeting can be found on the Choose Cornwall website at www.choosecornwall.ca.
