Township moves location of Linwood fireworks display

REACTING TO CONCERNS FROM A

Linwood-area riding academy, Wellesley council decided this week to move the location of a fireworks show planned for December 11.

In a special session

Monday night, councillors opted to change the venue to Jones Feed Mill rather than the Linwood Community Centre after the neighbouring Robinson Riding Academy raised concerns about the impact of loud noise on its 35 horses.

Mayor Joe Nowak said council moved quickly to address the concerns raised by the Robinsons, who had started a petition in response to the planned display.

“We’ve been working at length over the last couple of weeks trying to address all of their concerns, and in my mind we’ve addressed all the ones that they’ve put in front of us and that was the fact that there was some fuel tanks nearby – well, that issue has been addressed, the noise level has been addressed,” said Nowak.

At the meeting this week, chief administrative officer Rik Louwagie said the feed mill gave the township permission to host the event on their property, and the technician who would be running the fireworks said the property does meet regulations.

To prevent any new concerns, he added that staff had contacted nearby property owners with livestock, including horses, with none of the neighbours expressing reservation about the show taking place at the new location.

While the fireworks show is supposed to be a drive-in format, Coun. Herb Neher asked Louwagie about concerns kids and other residents might get out of their cars, asking what the spacing

he continues to do both dryland and in-pool training, though the pandemic has forced some changes. The diving club has public health measures in place, including increased screening protocols.

With his successes to date, Preston said he is hoping to continue developing his skills, diving right into competitions.

When not training, the Grade 5 student can be found enjoying some free time hanging out with his friends, playing video games and listening to music, says his dad, Jordan Cooledge.