Town to investigate sculpture, reduces opening event for park

Extensive debate went into the new waterfront plaza during the May 25 town council meeting.

The town has reduced the size of a potential opening ceremony for the waterfront festival plaza and will still explore a partnership with the Caldwell First Nations regarding a possible sculpture.

Both issues came after extensive debate during town council’s May 25 regular meeting.

A proposed three-day waterfront celebration would have run July 31-Aug. 2 and was intended to :commemorate the long-anticipated opening of this significant public space through a well-planned, community-focused event,” director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon stated in her written report to town council.

“Geared toward families and residents of all ages, the event will animate the waterfront with children’s activities, local vendors, and live local entertainment, transforming the area into a vibrant and welcoming destination. By activating the space over an extended summer weekend, the celebration will encourage repeat visitation, support local businesses and performers. This launch event represents a strategic opportunity to generate excitement and showcase the full potential of the space,” she said in her report.

That would have cost $30,000, though about $10,000 of that would have been covered by grant funding.

Instead, the town opted for a “no cost” celebration with Councillor Linden Crain suggesting a ribbon cutting similar to the one that was held at Malden Centre Park for the new playground. Food trucks could also be invited to come down, with Crain adding the full surplus could be put towards subsequent phases of the land’s development.

“The property advertises itself organically through social media and local news outlets,” he said.

Councillor Peter Courtney agreed the money could be better used, also suggesting it be put aside for future projects in the park. He believed entertainment could be put into the park and he was not preparted to earmark $30,000 for the opening.

Councillor Diane Pouget noted over-expenditures on projects town council has to fund, the job losses at Diageo, the poor shape of Concession 6 North, the parking lot at the Golden Age Club and other items that need funding. She said she could not vote to spend $30,000 on “a three-day party.”

Councillor Molly Allaire added there are other activities happening that weekend in Amherstburg, including the Living History Festival at Fort Malden National Historic Site and various events for Open Air Weekends. While the park opening is a “significant milestone,” she noted there are still things to do that weekend.

Councillor Don McArthur wanted to have a three-day event, stating things come with a cost and after years of waiting, residents should be able to celebrate. He said it was fiscally transparent, as the money for cupcakes, fireworks, vendors, bands and more comes with a cost and money doesn’t have to be found elsewhere.

“It’s not a lot of money in the grant scheme of things,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb agreed, noting it was over $1 million to buy the site and over $3 million to restore it. He called it a “once in a generational” moment to open the park.

Administration was also directed to work in partnership with Caldwell First Nations to design a sculptural art piece to be located at the centre of Amherstburg Waterfront Festival Plaza that celebrates First Nations and to work with them to identify possible grant opportunities to fund the same, all of which will be presented to Council for final approval. That motion passed via a 4-3 vote with two delegates having concerns.

Local resident Alison Baldwin voiced concern with the original $30,000 cost of the opening, but also whether all Indigenous Peoples were included, such as the Metis. She urged council to use caution when moving forward and wanted the sculpture to be inclusive of more cultures, with more consultation called for.

Mayor Michael Prue questioned whether more First Nations groups could have been contacted, also posing that question to Chief Nikki van Oirschot of Caldwell First Nations, the latter stating she would not have been opposed to more outreach. Prue noted the town’s land acknowledgement and who was consulted on that, adding that First Nations have been treated “abysmally” over the years and wanted them to be at least heard out on this issue.

“I find this debate a little bit puzzling,” said McArthur. McArthur said it was a “no brainer” to get more information and that if work is done now, possible dividends could be realized later. Regarding a statue proposed for the Italian community that was brought up earlier in the meeting, McArthur said doing one does not exclude the other.

“To not kick the tires on this doesn’t make any sense,” said McArthur.

Courtney believed if one group gets assistance, the town “can’t say no to anyone.” Pouget wanted to ensure all are treated fairly, including those who proposed the Italian monument several years ago, with Prue saying that could still happen if the money is raised.

“That is still out there,” the mayor said. “They can still do it.” 

Delegate Victor DiNardo said those proposing the Italian monument never received an offer to partner with the town. DiNardo authored a book a few years ago about his own family’s arrival from Italy to Canada and the work Italians put in to building the town.

After the meeting, DiNardo stated: “My purpose was to receive equal status with the town in regards to sculptures being erected  for immigrants and  the First Nations at the Navy Yard Park. The town went into partnership with the First Nations to erect the sculpture while the immigrants were left to seek support on their own. Partnership with a town makes it easier to get government grants where on your own grants are difficult.”

Gibb believed the motion on the sculpture was premature.

“It’s too soon to decide what we want in that park,” he said. “Let’s get the park open then we’ll talk about it later.”

Councillor Linden Crain voiced concern about “leaving groups out” but Councillor Molly Allaire pointed out there are other statues, fountains and sculptures in Navy Yard Park that already tell Amherstburg’s story. 

Baillargeon noted in her report to council that as part of the parks master plan process in 2025, administration reached out to First Nations for opportunities for park development projects in Amherstburg, one of which was the waterfront plaza. 

“Administration and the Mayor attended a subsequent meeting in March 2026 with representatives of Caldwell First Nation as a follow up, and the idea of a sculptural art installation at the centre of the plaza in the new waterfront was brought up as a potential project to celebrate and commemorate the Three Fires Confederacy and First Nations of the area,” Baillargeon stated. “At this meeting, Caldwell First Nations made a motion to work with the Town to investigate the idea further, in partnership with the Town. A sculptural art installation in commemoration and celebration of First Nations is very fitting given the prominent location on the waterfront which is home to First Nations.”

Baillargeon’s report stated financial contributions through First Nations or grants would cover most, if not all, of the proposed sculpture. CAO Valerie Critchley said the next step would be to work with First Nations on cost, size and where the money could come from for a sculpture. 

The site currently has, or is having installed, subsurface infrastructure, basic walkways, retaining walls, lighting, irrigation and landscaping.

“Future phases of development include the transient marina, washrooms and amphitheatre pending capital approval in future budget years,” she added in her report.

Town to investigate sculpture - reduces opening event for park

By Ron Giofu