Residents try to move Crystal Beach ahead
Community improvement group has big plans
Monthly meetings hosted by the grassroots organization Advancing Crystal Beach are a time to talk about local issues and concerns of the community, but also a place for people to feel welcome and to share ideas.
The group formed in 2015 and more recently has started to grow its presence in Greater Fort Erie by hosting weekly farmers markets, make delegations at council meetings about the need for affordable housing and a community hub in Crystal Beach, and more.
Starting in April, the nonprofit will be offering a Money Matters Workshop, a financial literacy program available each Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fort Erie Fire Department’s station no. 6 in Crystal Beach.
Advancing Crystal Beach was established through a partnership with the Beachcombers Seniors Centre and president Orma Bleeks says the group is in the process of tracking down funding, possibly through an Ontario Trillium grant, to create some of the additions they would like to see made to Crystal Beach, Ridgeway, as well as Fort Erie.
With many new residents moving from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas, Bleeks says the group wants them to get involved in Advancing Crystal Beach — to ask questions and make suggestions, raise exciting ideas.
“That’s what our organization is all about – connecting people in the community,” she said.
“We want people to get involved and find out what’s going on,” she added.
A $2-2-million project at Bay Beach is also set to start this spring, a fresh start from the controversial 10-storey condo project that created plenty of political turmoil before it was washed away in late 2013.
Bleeks said she looks forward to seeing the many public amenities added to the waterfront jewel, but says her group knows the Town of Fort Erie and the Region have their own plans for the project and doesn’t get involved with it.
“We want to focus on everything else – Crystal Beach is more than just the beach,” she said.
Also separate from the work being done by Advancing Crystal Beach, the Town of Fort Erie is also seeking residents who would like to participate in a community focus group.
Anyone interested is asked to contact town hall by March 31.
For more information about Advancing Crystal Beach, visit advancingcrystalbeach.com.