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
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.