Love South Dundas is returning in June

A recent letter to South Dundas officials and council from Karen Franklin, manager of library services for the SD&G County Library, has raised alarm about the potential for new library space in Williamsburg.

South Dundas council agreed that a 558 square foot addition to the existing North Williamsburg Recreation building, along with some shared existing space, is a likely opportunity to bring library space back to Williamsburg. 

Such an addition could cost in the vicinity of $90,000, according to South Dundas CAO Steve McDonald.

Council has already authorized some preliminary design work that would allow more accurate costing to take place.

That work will allow council to make a final decision on whether or not to pursue the project.

In the meantime, Franklin’s letter was distributed to South Dundas council and others.

“I was surprised by the tone of the letter,” said South Dundas deputy mayor Jim Locke, who is also a member of the SD&G County Library board. 

Board members were copied on the letter, which states that the proposed space is too small and that any space sharing would make it difficult to operate the location as a library. 

Franklin also noted that the configuration of the space would present visibility issues, making it unfavourable for effective public service. 

“Simply put, the building does not adhere to the most basic standards for a public library facility,” she wrote.

Despite the letter, members of South Dundas council are still convinced that the proposed space will work for the library and for the community.

“We want to make darn sure that we can do this,” said South Dundas councillor Archie Mellan. “I don’t want to spend the money on this project, and then have them (SD&G Library) say that it’s not appropriate. Can they say no? Is that an option? We definitely need some sort of commitment from the library board on this.”

“A lot of people have done a lot of work to get this resolved,” he added, council agreed with his sentiments.

“Where the library board will take this, I don’t know,” said Locke at the September 17 South Dundas council meeting, adding that he would raise the issue with the board. The library board met September 19, and according to Locke the issue was discussed. 

Discussions revealed a lack of communication between library and township staff concerning the project. Locke believes that lack of communication will be rectified when the library and township officials meet. The board has asked that the meeting take place. 

After that meeting, the board has agreed they will meet again regarding the issue, if necessary, Locke explained.

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About a month from now South Dundas municipal staff will have access to their new home, the South Dundas municipal centre in Morrisburg.

At this point in the $4 million renovation project to convert the former Morrisburg Collegiate Institute into a new home for South Dundas administration and a new home in Morrisburg for the adjacent St. Lawrence Medical Clinic, municipal officials are well pleased.

According to South Dundas chief administrative officer Steve McDonald, the flooring is now going in on the second and third floors of the building that will be occupied by the municipality.

The millwork is starting this week, and then it’s on to final work and completion of the addition.

“From the municipal point of view, the progress on the project and the quality of the workmanship has been great,” said McDonald. 

“We have had excellent cooperation from our contractor on this project.”

He added that the renovation has progressed quicker than originally anticipated.

Throughout the project they have tried to create as few issues as possible for clinic patrons accessing the adjacent site.

“We’re pleased with this project,” said McDonald.

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds expects that the August regular council meeting will be the last in South Dundas council chambers in Williamsburg.  

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 If there had been as many people, in 1813, able to take up arms as there were people gathered to watch a recreation of the Chrysler’s  Farm Battle in 2013, well, no Americans would have dared to invade this nation.

Upper Canada Village Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, drew some of the largest crowds ever seen at the heritage site. By any standards, the much anticipated re-enactment of the battle which saved Upper Canada 200 years ago during the War of 1812 was an unqualified success. According to Village authorities, over 7,200 people attended the battle, toured the Village, or took in both activities. 

The success of the bicentennial re-enactment was also due to the tireless efforts of the Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield, who have hosted the event for the last 13 years. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers who spent long weeks organizing events, contacting other key groups and co-ordinating the hundreds of living history re-enactors who came to South Dundas for the weekend from all over Ontario, Quebec and from the States. Working in partnership with the Village, Robin Morris, Bob Irvine and the Friends helped make the 200th anniversary one that visitors were eager to praise.

“It was a really strong event for the Village,” said Jancis Sommerville, Special Events Officer at UCV. “We may all be a little tired today on the site, but it was a wonderful weekend.”

The recreation of the pivotal battle drew over 850 re-enactors to the South Dundas area. Nearly 500 of them actually took part in three weekend battles.

These re-enactors camped in the fields below the Crysler Memorial in tents that imitated those that soldiers, officers, their families and camp followers would have shared 200 years ago. They dress, walk, ride, cook and carry the arms and colours of those who actually served in the War with the United States.

Visitors were invited to step back in time and see  blacksmithing, 1800’s military surgery, tinsmithing, rope making, itinerant medicine men hawking their wares, lively games of cricket, dress making and  military parades. 

Throughout the weekend, noted historians held talks on the local Battle and the origin and nature of the events of the War of 1812 in general.  

Also present, reminding visitors of the enormous contribution to the survival of Canada made by the First Nations warriors, were singers and dancers from Akwesasne.

“Represented here today are the Awkwesasne Spirit Singers with dancers from the North American Indian Travelling College,” said Mohawk Jerry MacDonald. “We have 12 young dancers with us who are proud to perform the ancient dances, proud of learning about their culture and heritage.”

Accepting 1812 honours on behalf of all Francophone militia from Lower Canada who fought in battles like Chateauguay, were the Voltigeurs de Quebec. South Dundas mayor Steven Byvelds accepted the salute and inspected the troops at the base of the Memorial during the ceremony. The Voltigeurs are one of the oldest French Canadian regiments, having served in many major conflicts from the 1850s to modern day.

The full flavour of the War was brought to bear with the participation in the battles of the tall ships Fair Jeanne and La Revenante, as well as seven gunboats of the era. Cannons firing over the water formed a powerful backdrop to the cannonades on shore.

Definitely the high lights of weekend were the re-enactments of the actual Battle of Crysler’s Farm. As a narrator described the action, the British troops, Canadian militia and Native allies took to the field in a powerful struggle against the invading Americans. The crowds packed on to the hill, cheered loudly and long as the ‘enemy’ was finally repulsed.

All in all, 1813 was a year to remember. And Upper Canada Village and the Friends of the Crysler’s Farm Battlefield staged an historical event to remember.

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