Timmins couple donates property to farmers market
The Mountjoy Farmers Market in Timmins has a permanent home thanks to a large property donation from local business owners Barry and Celine Petroski.
The couple has donated a 1.4-acre former truck lot along Riverside Drive to the Porcupine District Agricultural Society, which owns the market.
When Barry learned that his long-time electrician and president of the agricultural society, Rock Whissell, was looking to build a pavilion for the market, he decided the land should be used to better the community.
"It's a perfect location for them and if I'm not using it, I felt that that was a proper way of doing it," said Barry, 87, co-owner of a local used car dealership.
"Rather than just sell (the property), I just as soon somebody have it that will have it forever, here."
Whissell said he knew the donation was coming for more than a year. He postponed building the market pavilion at the Mountjoy Historical Conservation Area, just across the road, because Petroski's lot would be a better location.
"It was really unbelievable for us to have this opportunity, to move to this location, to be able to grow this farmers market as big as we're hoping to bring it and it's even better for the community," Whissell said.
He said the new site could also host several community activities and projects.
The 4,000-square-foot pavilion will be the centrepiece, housing 20 market vendors and have more surround it in tents. Whissell also envisions amenities like tennis and pickleball courts, alongside the nearby hockey rink.
"Having all of this parking and having all of this room for vehicles to come in and out ... having activities, while we're having the market," Whissell said.
"Hopefully, the community could use (the pavilion) for various (things). For a car show, for weddings, for yard sales."
The agricultural society will be transferring ownership of the property to the City of Timmins, Whissell said, which will reduce maintenance costs.
As part of the transfer, the group gets the final say on what can be done with the property and Whissell said he's open to ideas.
The market pavilion will be built once the transfer is completed in the coming weeks. A sign will pay tribute to the land donors.
Barry Petroski said that means the world to him.
"When people come here, they'll have to look at me, I guess," he said with a grin.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.