Rally of the Tall Pines asked for more for road repairs

May 19, 2016

Ian Wright, co-ordinator of the Rally of the Tall Pines, presents Mayor Bernice Jenkins with a plaque of appreciation for Bancroft’s partnership.
TONY PEARSON Special to This Week

By Tony Pearson

Rally of The Tall Pines organizer Ian Wright came to council last week to report that the organization’s surveys continued to show that Bancroft was deriving substantial economic benefit from the Rally car race weekend. Wright’s estimate was that the rally brought in nearly half a million extra dollars to town businesses and services. He also noted the rally’s contribution, through Tim Hortons, to the local food bank, and the educational visit of rally cars to North Hastings High School shop classes.

He further stated that he was ready to sign an agreement extending the agreement between the town and the rally for two additional years – though 2017 and 2018.
Bancroft currently provides about $14,500 to the Rally in direct sponsorship, and in assistance from the Works department. Accordingly, councillors Charles Mullett and Barry McGibbon wanted to know if the rally could render more assistance to the repair of town roads used by the race cars. The suggestion was made that road repair was a contribution of the town in consideration of a lower sponsorship fee. Wright made reference to TV coverage of the race, and thus the town’s banners.

The contract will be furthered examined at Committee of the whole.

On a somewhat related matter – cars being involved – Council wanted to assure the Bancroft Cruisers that they respected the contributions of the classic car club to the town.

The response was prompted by a suggestion that the Cruisers weren’t getting a permit for their use of Millennium Park. Club president Dave Kinney was affronted that people might think the Cruisers were looking for freebies, when they always paid for their permit, always cleaned up after any park use, and promoted Bancroft all over eastern Ontario. He also pointed out that Millennium was supposed to be a public park.

Councillor Barry McGibbon expressed appreciation for the Cruisers, notably for their work on Wheels/Water/Wings.