Residents Encouraged to Shape the Future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds

COLLEEN GREEN The Standard

SCUGOG: Port Perry residents are being invited to help shape one of the community’s most valued public spaces, as the Township of Scugog launches its Your Voice, Your Fairgrounds campaign. With the future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds still undecided, the township has hired consultants Darwin Pivot and J.L. Richards (JLR) to gather ideas, concerns, and aspirations from across the community.

As part of this effort, residents will have several opportunities to learn more about the project and share their perspectives, at a series of upcoming pop-up sessions. These events are designed to make participation easy and accessible, giving people the chance to drop in, ask questions, and contribute directly to the visioning process.

The first session will take place Wednesday, November 26th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Scugog Memorial Public Library, 231 Water Street, Port Perry. A second event is scheduled for Thursday, November 27th, also from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Greenbank Hall, 19965 ON-12 in Greenbank. The third pop-up will be held Saturday, November 29th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Vos’ Independent, 1893 Scugog Street, Port Perry. The township notes, additional dates and locations are expected to be announced, as the campaign continues.

These sessions will give residents the chance to comment on how the fairgrounds are currently used and what they envision for the site’s future. Whether you see the fairgrounds as a place for agricultural events, recreation, cultural activities, green space, or something entirely new, the township wants to hear your ideas.

Mayor Wilma Wotten emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from a wide range of voices. “My wish is all voices are captured over the coming months from the Agricultural Society, community organizations, families, youth, and our seniors, to ensure we hear from as many voices as possible, on ideas and proposals to create a space which provides an array of benefits for all Scugog residents,” she said.

Although, petitions to “save the fairgrounds” have already circulated, Mayor Wotten reiterates, no decisions have been made. “It is what our community wants and that’s why we’re going through this process,” she said. “I think it’s very valuable land. I think it’s very underutilized.”

Residents are encouraged to attend an upcoming session, learn more, and make their voices heard. The future of the Port Perry Fairgrounds will be shaped by the community, starting now.