News from the Alcona Business Association

Congratulations are in order to the Alcona Business Association, (shameless self promotion if you please) for their major input into the Town's recent commitment to begin to finish our downtown area of Alcona sooner as opposed to later. The ABA approached the town on more than one occasion to finish the downtown and make it beautiful. This is exciting news for all residents of Alcona and Innisfil. Why? Because once this project is under way businesses and home owners will want to locate in this area. They will have more services and retail stores readily available in the immediate area and will not have to travel to Barrie or Newmarket for the same. And finally we can have a downtown area we can all be proud of. You can take walks down the sidewalks, stop in at the local café, check out a gift shop, browse for some new clothes, buy flowers for your spouse, get a manicure or pedicure. Wow, you're asking, it will mean all that. Yes! With a downtown that is attractive we will entice businesses to purchase land and put in their specialty shops. I know a lot of people are happy with the way Alcona is now but unfortunately with the housing boom that is upon us we have to wake up and realize that the future is now and get with the program. We need to be proactive instead of reactive. Lets face it folks, Alcona is mainly a commuter town. A large portion of our residents commute. I did it for over 6 years. Once you are home you don't always feel like driving too far to get what you need. Convenience is convenient. Especially for the commuter. We can have the best of both worlds here in Alcona. A fantastic lake is only steps away. All the wonderful things that go along with it such as fishing, swimming, boating, water-skiing and in the winter, ice-fishing, snowmobiling, skating and other winter sports.

Believe me when you are on that lake in the middle of winter, civilization is the last thing on your mind. All you can think about is the beauty of this place and how wonderful it is to live here in all it's natural habitat. We don't want to ruin that, we want to embrace it but still have time left over from our busy schedules to have the time for the same. So we the ABA have put major time and effort not only into getting our downtown finished but how it is to be finished as well. It is referred to as the Urban Design Guidelines.

We want to have a say, the businesses that make up the ABA, in this process and on how our downtown is framed. We understand it is a process but still understand the need of input from the local businesses on how and when the changes will take place. In closing, if the IGAP recognizes and has criticized the fact that Innisfil does not have an official downtown then how much more do we need to recognize this and proceed accordingly.

We also would like to extend a hearty thanks (shout out) to the Mayor, Brian Jackson, Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope, and our recently elected Councillor of Ward 6, our former ABA president, Rod Boynton, who have all been very understanding of the need for Alcona to have an official downtown. We also would like to thank the other councillors who were in favour of pushing this project forward with regard to time lines.

At this time I would like to invite anyone interested in joining the ABA to fill out our online membership form on our website: www.aba-innisfil.com You can drop off a check to me at Adam & Eve Tanning during normal business hours.

The amount is $75/year and is pro-rated to the number of months remaining in the year. For this you get your name on our website with links to your email and/or your website and more than that a voice. Together we are strong! Together we can get an ear! Together we make progress!

Thanks to all ABA members. It is your collective voices which make it a strong united voice.

Don't forget our Valentine's Dance being held at the ABC Hall on Feb.10th.,2007. Tickets will be available at $15 each. Our theme is Rock and Roll from the 50's and 60's; benefits going to the rec centre. Tickets available at Mr. Sub, Rod's Esso, Adam & Eve Tanning , Scotia Bank on Innisfil Beach Rd. or RBC Sandy Cove Branch.

Also in the spring/summer we will be hosting the TOWN'S LARGEST YARD SALE to benefit the new rec centre…stay tuned for more info………..it's a great way to sell stuff hidden in your garage or basement and for a great cause!!!!!!

Richard Ellis, Treasurer