Future of Fairgrounds consultation unclear despite significant public investment

SARA URBANOWICZ Daisy Consulting Group

SCUGOG: Darwin Pivot, the Toronto-based consulting firm, hired by Scugog Township to lead the Fairgrounds consultation, insists its mandate is strictly to listen and report and is not intended to advance or justify any predetermined outcome, including the sale of the Fairgrounds.

That clarification stands in contrast to ongoing concerns raised in the community, including, following public statements indicating Council may choose to sell the Fairgrounds. Those statements have heightened skepticism about why the consultation is taking place, at all, and whether the outcome has already been shaped.

Scugog’s administration has stated it will decide, in February, “whether to proceed with further community engagement, to explore future directions for the fairgrounds,” raising new questions about whether the consultation process will continue.

The Port Perry Agricultural Society (PPAS) reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Fairgrounds Park should be protected, in its entirety, secured through a new lease, and used more extensively for community benefit — a position the organization has advocated for years.

“The Fairgrounds Park is an essential part of Port Perry, and we have been clear for years, it should be protected, better used, and supported through a new lease,” said Paul Puckrin, Port Perry Agricultural Society President. “While the consultant claims a neutral role, the mixed signals coming from Council raise serious questions about the intent behind this process and whether public input will genuinely influence the outcome.”

“Consultants were hired, at nearly $100,000, to meaningfully consult with the community,” Mr. Puckrin added. “Now we see the possibility the consultation may not proceed further. That’s more mixed messaging and leaves people wondering about the neutrality of the process.”

PPAS participated fully in the consultant’s on-site visit, providing detailed feedback and outlining community priorities. At the same time the PPAS emphasized, the decision to initiate the consultation rests solely with Council, despite strong public opposition, as does any final decision about the future of the Fairgrounds.

“We will continue to engage in good faith, and we want to collaborate with the Township to enhance the Fairgrounds Park,” added Mr. Puckrin. PPAS encourages residents to remain engaged in the consultation process and will continue advocating for the Fairgrounds Park.