4th July – At a specially called meeting last Friday, the London Tourist and Parks Authority made two final decisions regarding the bid for the Fairgrounds Pavilion.
The committee discussed acquiring the property in executive session but did not disclose its location after reconvening.
After an executive committee meeting, including Mayor Randall Weddle, and a public session, it was time for the commission to make their choice.
The first decision was whether board members would prefer service from Clear Span or Legacy. The other decision that came before the committee on the same motion was whether they would prefer a 100 x 300 ft. build or a 150 x 300 ft. build. They ultimately chose the latter.
It was up to the committee to decide whether to strictly accept the $771,000 bid submitted by Clear Span for the 150-by-300 structure, or to accept the $838,126.15 bid that included a lighting and ventilation package.
Ultimately, the Board believes that a larger building is better for the city of London and its future.
“The community isn’t getting any smaller, so our requirements aren’t getting any smaller,” board member Josh Samples said in support of the 150×300 build.
As for the lighting and ventilation package, the board voted to pay $838,126.15 to get the basic package, resulting in a “$75,000 difference,” as board chairman Phil Smith noted.
“Those features, like dimming and spotlights, are not included in this basic lighting package,” architect David Zawko clarified. “That’s another level of quality that we may need at some point, but it’s not included in the bid at this time.”
Smith also announced that the county’s tourist board and government had decided not to partner with the London Tourist Board on the project.
“At this time the City of London and London Visitors Bureau are working together on this project,” Mr Smith said.
The London Tourism Board is also working to resurface the sports courts at London-Laurel Wellness Park and is working with the London-Laurel County Tourism Board to create the Sheppard Family Court.
The Shepherd Family Court was built in honour of Reed Shepherd and his family. The court colours are UK Blue, South Laurel Red and North Laurel Blue.
The commission is unsure of the exact date, but expects the courts to be closed for a week in mid-July. The Sentinel-Echo will report on this information as soon as the date is known.
The London Visitors Commission’s regular meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 5.30pm in the downstairs meeting room of the London Community Centre.
