Garth Zwicker
Sackville Town Council has been asked once again to help create a permanent, indoor home for the Farmers Market.
During a slide-show presentation earlier this month, Garth Zwicker asked councillors to lease land adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre and the Sackville Waterfowl Park for a token annual fee.
He indicated that a permanent building could be constructed using new or used shipping containers on 11,000 square feet of the land with plenty of space remaining for use by other groups including local theatres.
“It’s been 40 years we’ve been bouncing around from location to location to location,” Zwicker said.
He added that over the years, council has heard many presentations outlining plans for a permanent market.
“You’ve never seen anything this grand, on this scale, on this level of organization, on this level of research.”
Slide from Garth Zwicker’s presentation to council on Feb. 1
In one of his slides, Zwicker suggested the town needs an indoor Farmers Market that protects its vendors against winter cold, summer heat and rain.
He indicated that the project, which he estimates would cost from $866,000 to $960,000, could be financed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (50-60%); the province (20-40%); other grants (10 to 15%) and a capital campaign (5 to 10%).
The market would operate as a non-profit with its own board of directors and would be responsible for the design and construction of the new building as well as fundraising and operating expenses.
One of Zwicker’s slides identified what he sees as the town’s role in the project:
Zwicker acknowledged that his proposal could potentially lead to conflict with the present Farmers Market held Saturday’s from 9 a.m. to noon behind the Bagtown Brewery and the Sears building at Main Street and Wellington.
“I feel that what I’m proposing would give the town the market it never had,” Zwicker said.
In an interview later, he added that he served as the market’s manager for about six months in 2018.
However, he says he resigned in frustration because of a lack of progress in pursuing a permanent location.
Nearly a year ago, town council heard an appeal for support from the market’s current manager and two members of its board of directors.
For coverage of that presentation, click here.
My only concern is traffic flow at the tourism centre area currently is already enough with two gas stations, liquor store, grocery store, hardware store, Patterson’s and Tim’s and various other locations already occupying that part of town… so why not look at Exit 506 — lots of space there with highway visibility and welcoming culture with the gasbar and motel… just a thought but nice to see someone helping out Michael Freeman who has been dedicated to the market since 2014 or so… free enterprisers would be advised that the most welcoming market would include everyone – meaning those who choose not to wear face masks because they don’t live in fear. I wouldn’t support a market at the tourism centre parking lot because that space should be left as it.
Situation # 1 : Refusal to wear a mask during a global pandemic, when scientific evidence shows that wearing a mask reduces the possibility of one’s self contracting a potentially fatal virus = NATURAL SELECTION.
Situation # 2 : Refusal to wear a mask and displaying selfish disregard for the safety of others during a global pandemic, when scientific evidence shows that wearing a mask reduces the possibility of one’s self AND one’s fellow citizens contracting a potentially fatal virus = RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT.