Laird Fairgrounds Committee Minutes – April 14, 2026
MINUTES OF THE LAIRD FAIRGROUNDS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE LAIRD TOWNSHIP OFFICE ON TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
MEMBERS PRESENT: Colleen Alloi Ashlee Boychuk Noah Crozier
Brad Shewfelt Vasco Dias Justine Lamming
Chuck Siddall
SECRETARY: Rhonda Crozier
Road’s Rep: Ed Lapish
Call to order 7:00 pm by Colleen Alloi, Chair
ON MOTION (No. R4-26) Moved by Justine Lamming, seconded by Noah Crozier
“That the committee approves the Agenda of April 14, 2026 as presented.” CARRIED
ON MOTION (No. R5-26) Moved by Brad Shewfelt, seconded by Justine Lamming
“That the committee approves the Minutes of February 10, 2026, as circulated.” CARRIED
Delegations
Steve McBride from AHA attended and reported that the horse club would like the shoot on the arena extended one or two posts with a gate on the end. He also reported the AHA would like to rent the Gazebo along with the grounds on the weekend of Aug. 8 & 9, 2026.
ON MOTION (No. R6-26) Moved by Chuck Siddall, seconded by Noah Crozier
“That the committee approves of the plan from AHA and will proceed with repairs. CARRIED
Business Arising out of the Minutes
The committee discussed holding a Free Access Night this year and it is planned for Wednesday nights from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. The council will be discussing insurance issues at their meeting on Thursday. Colleen Alloi discussed an alternative and is looking into it.
The committee discussed the horse arena drainage and it was reported by Ed Lapish that the arena needs to be reshaped with a little sand. Both Ed and Vasco will work on this.
The plans were discussed by the committee on a grant application from NOHFC for the kitchen and accessible washroom at the Gazebo. The project is planned for early 2027.
Ed Lapish to pick up the light fixture from the Co-Op.
It was reported that the NSAS will be purchasing 6 – 10’ gates to be used as a small pen. NSAS will complete this summer.
New Business
The BYOB new rules from the LCBO were discussed. The committee is looking for clarifications.
The Caretaker Vasco will be off work from June 8 – 12, 2026.
Budget
| Passed By Council 2026 | 2025 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Budget | Cost | |
| OPERATING REVENUE LAIRD FAIRGROUNDS | |||
| Laird Fairgrounds Misc. & Rent | 8,175 | 4,580 | 5,000 |
| Laird Fairgrounds Storage Rent | 7,280 | 7,660 | 7,500 |
| Laird Fairgrounds Raceway Contact | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Total Recreation Revenue | 40,455 | 37,240 | 37,500 |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Description | Budget | ||
| GENERAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES | |||
| LAIRD FAIRGROUNDS | |||
| Laird Fairgrounds | |||
| Wages – Grounds Keeper Maintenance | 20,500 | 16,879 | 23,000 |
| – Admin. Salaries & Benefits | 7,000 | 2,677 | 5,000 |
| – Roads Labour | 8,000 | 13,572 | 12,000 |
| – Summer Employee | 4,200 | 8,070 | 7,000 |
| Caretaker | 4,000 | 455 | 4,000 |
| Algoma Power Inc. | 1,000 | 880 | 1,200 |
| Mileage | 1,500 | 967 | 1,500 |
| Insurance | 8,062 | 8,062 | 0 |
| Maintenance (2026 Painting) | 1,500 | ||
| Maintenance Gravel | 500 | ||
| Equipment Repair | 2,000 | 3,275 | 3,000 |
| Supplies | 2,000 | 2,479 | 2,000 |
| Misc. Grounds (Animal Water) | 1,000 | 2,307 | 3,000 |
| Telephone | 100 | 62 | 100 |
| Total Laird Fairgrounds | 59,362 | 59,685 | 63,800 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDED BY RESERVES | |||
| Operating Fairgrounds – Gazebo Kitchen Sinks (2025) | 3,000 | ||
| Capital Fairgrounds – Gazebo washrooms (2025) | 30,000 | ||
| Total Capital Projects Funded by Reserves | 0 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Description | Budget | ||
| Operating Projects & 5 Year Plan Projects | |||
| Operating Fairgrounds – Electrical Gazebo & Announcers Booth | 3,000 | 3,471 | |
| Operating Fairgrounds – Gazebo Kitchen Sinks (Reserved) | 3,000 | 3,000 | RESERVED |
| Operating Fairgrounds Maintenance – Well Flushing | 2,500 | 1,977 | |
| Operating Fairgrounds Maintenance – Misc. & water repairs | 2,500 | 2,323 | |
| Operating Fairgrounds Gazebo Exterior Doors | 4,500 | 1,179 | |
| Laird Fairgrounds – 2 Holding Tanks | 2,200 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – 4 Water Meters | 1,500 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – LIR Washroom Maintenance | 1,875 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Sand for Swings and Stalls | 2,000 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Bench and Plaque | 1,000 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Signage for raceway washrooms | 500 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Electrical for Announcers Booth | 3,500 | ||
| Total Operating Other Projects | 15,500 | 11,950 | 12,575 |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| Description | Budget | ||
| Capital 5 Year Plan Projects | |||
| Capital Fairgrounds – Arena Drainage changed to Lighting | 10,000 | 9,858 | |
| Capital Fairgrounds Washroom Outdoor changed to Engineering | 5,000 | 5,088 | |
| Capital Fairgrounds – Water System upgrades | 13,811 | 14,717 | |
| Capital Fairgrounds – New interior Gazebo washrooms (2025 Reserved) | 30,000 | 30,000 | RESERVED |
| Laird Fairgrounds Gazebo Wall (2025 changed to LIR Plumbing & Engin.) | 12,000 | 10,594 | 15,000 |
| Laird Fairgrounds – Horse Stalls | 5,000 | 5,046 | 5,000 |
| Laird Fairgrounds – Reshape & Extend Horse Arena | 8,350 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds –7 Lights on Poles redone | 7,000 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Ball Diamond Fence removed | 3,500 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Gazebo Kitchen NOHFC Grant | 20,000 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – ECA Study for Septic | 20,000 | ||
| Laird Fairgrounds – Gazebo Outdoor Washrooms | 13,500 | ||
| Total Capital 5 Year Plan Projects | 75,811 | 75,303 | 92,350 |
The next meeting will be held at the Laird Fairgrounds on Tuesday June 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
ON MOTION (No. R7-26) Moved by Justine Lamming
“That the April 14, 2026 meeting be adjourned @ 7:48 pm.” CARRIED
CHAIRPERSON: ________________________________
SECRETARY: __________________________________