Port Perry Fairgrounds vision deferred as future of fair remains uncertain

By Colleen Green, The Standard

SCUGOG: The future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds remains uncertain after the Township of Scugog Council voted to defer consideration of the Port Perry Fairgrounds Visioning Exercise Final Report until the first quarter of 2027, leaving long-term plans for the site in limbo.

Council chambers were filled to capacity during the July 13th meeting, with residents turning out in large numbers to voice concerns over the future of the fairgrounds and the Port Perry Fair. Township staff were forced to lock the entrance doors after the room reached maximum occupancy, leaving dozens of residents outside the municipal building watching the proceedings on their cellphones through the Township's livestream.

Council had been scheduled to receive the Port Perry Fairgrounds Visioning Exercise Final Report, along with a staff report summarizing public engagement and outlining recommendations for the property's future.

Although the staff report was not formally presented during the meeting, its recommendations called for Council to endorse the overall vision for the site and direct staff to prepare an implementation plan for approval in 2027.

Among the recommendations were setting aside approximately 19 acres for a new Township park to provide recreational and multi-use community space, while reserving about four acres adjacent to Old Simcoe Road and Reach Street for future development. The report also recommended creating a reserve fund for proceeds from any land sales, ensuring improvements remain financially sustainable with limited impact on taxpayers, and returning possession of the property to the Township to carry out the implementation plan.

Under the proposal, the Port Perry Agricultural Society (PPAS) would be permitted to continue holding the Port Perry Fair beginning in 2027 under a no-cost special event permit rather than a lease. Township staff also recommended assisting the PPAS in locating a new site should the society determine relocation is necessary.

Several residents and stakeholders addressed Council during the meeting, including PPAS President Dr. Paul Puckrin, who strongly criticized the staff recommendations.

"We have been deceived and betrayed with the visioning project," said Dr. Puckrin. "The Darwin Pivot consultants did what they were hired to do. The problem is the Township of Scugog staff report and the recommendations within it." Quoting the consultants' report, Dr. Puckrin added, "Your own consultant said, 'Start with modest, reversible steps first. Make major decisions only after feasibility work and further community involvement.'"

He also emphasized, "A permit is no substitute for a lease."

Councillor Janna Guido questioned whether the lack of a lease had affected the Agricultural Society's ability to obtain grant funding.

"Has the agricultural society applied for grant money and been denied because of the lack of a lease?" she asked. "Many grants available require a five-year or ten-year lease."

Dr. Puckrin responded the society had successfully secured grants when it held a lease. Without one, he said, applying is largely pointless because many funding programs require long-term security of tenure.

Following several delegations, Mayor Wilma Wotten introduced a motion to defer receiving the Visioning Exercise Final Report until the first quarter of 2027, allowing the next term of Council to make the decision. The motion carried in a 5-2 vote.

The deferral leaves the long-term future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds unresolved while preserving the status quo until the newly elected Council takes office.