Leamington is celebrating the official opening of its new Waterfront Market Plaza. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday night at the plaza at the foot of Erie Street South near the Leamington Marina. The space features expanded parking, public washrooms, a playground and green space, public seating, food and drink vendors, and a new stage for performers. As AM800 news reported on Wednesday, Leamington council approved this week an additional $254,656 for the plaza after construction costs came in higher than expected. Municipal staff say that despite the additional funding, the project remains within its overall approved budget. Total project costs are projected at about $6.27 million, leaving roughly $11,000 remaining from the combined municipal and provincial fund. Leamington’s mayor, Hilda MacDonald, says she’s excited about the plaza. She says the municipality started talking about the plaza more than 10 years ago. “We had a vision, but once it was put down on paper, things started to roll, and look where we are now, and we’re still, like we said, of the 15-year plan; we’re maybe year 3 where we want to be,” she says. “There’s still more to do.” MacDonald feels the plaza is a wonderful gathering spot for the community. “Like, you don’t have to have people to your house; you can say, ‘Come and meet me at the waterfront, and if you want to just come for a walk and sit by yourself, what a view and a place to sit, a place to hang out,” says MacDonald. “Places for people just to enjoy the community, and to me, that’s quality of life always.” The mayor believes the plaza will create opportunities for the municipality. “It’s about creating opportunities for people to come even to build, whether it’s a home or a hotel,” says MacDonald. “It’s about creating opportunities for the residents and for businesses, and that’s how we grow, and we want to grow; we don’t want to be stagnant.” There will be live music at the plaza every Wednesday and Friday from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. for the rest of the summer. However, the municipality says there will not be live music this Friday, August 14 due to the Mill Street Market. The space also includes Brew on the 42, a municipally run pilot project. The aim of the coffee shop is to bring consistent activity to the waterfront. The municipality plans to announce more vendors and events as the summer continues.
