PLANNED ARENA REPAIRS FORCES CANCELLATION OF EXPO IN 2024

There’s widespread disappointment across the city of Clarence-Rockland with the announcement that the popular Expo will not take place in 2024.

The annual event showcases what businesses and service providers in the region have to offer, from small local vendors to

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shop for all.

The event takes place every year at the Clarence-Rockland Arena, but won’t happen this year due to planned maintenance to the venue.

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Clarence-Rockland) is so important to our city, our local businesses and non-profit organizations,” said Clarence-Rockland Mayor Mario Zanth. “That said, we simply could not put at risk a multi-million dollar infrastructure such as our arena. This investment needed to happen as soon as possible.”

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entertained by live music, story-time for kids, face painting, a brunch booth and the traditional Mayor’s Breakfast with Mayor Mario Zanth.

Anne Lizotte, the president of the Clarence-Rockland Chamber of Commerce, and the creator and organizor of the event, said different options were discussed, such as alternative venues and hosting the event at a different date and time.

Lizotte said pushing the event later in May wouldn’t be ideal, as most people would want to spend time outside, many of them getting their cottages ready for the summer or taking time away from the city.

Hosting the event at a venue such as the Bourget Community Centre was not an option either, as its much too small to cater

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“The timing wasn’t convenient for vendors, as many of them are starting to book off for the summer by the end of May,” added Lizotte. “And having an outdoor event, they would need access to a lot of electricity. I want to do right by my vendors, because without them, there is no event.”

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takes place either at the end of April or beginning of May, and Lizotte said the City

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Clarence-Rockland Arena with maintenance scheduled to be done in time for the event.

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rence-Rockland Coun. Stéphane Fournier presented a notice of a motion to colleagues at last month’s city council meeting, asking to use the money allocated towards increasing councillors discretionary budget as attending conferences is becoming more

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The money that was set aside for this

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to Coun. Fournier’s motion, that money would be divided equally among the nine members of Clarence-Rockland’s council.

The motion, which was seconded by Coun. Diane Choinière, will be discussed BU 8FEOFTEBZ T "QSJM DPVODJM NFFUJOH