The Rainy River Cattlemen’s Association abattoir steering committee has acquired pledges from 75 producers who have agreed to be members of the district abattoir project, so plans are starting to move forward.
A membership meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Chapple rec centre in Barwick.
“It will be a chance to review the project with the people who are committing to it,” said Geoff Gillon, economic development officer with the Rainy River Future Development Corp., who is assisting with the project.
“At that time, we will be seeking individuals to sit on the inaugural board for members,” Gillon added, noting this elected board will be the people to move the project forward.
“They will come up with the business plan to operate the proposed facility.”
“We have a bunch of good people in the district,” said Peter Spuzak, a member of the steering committee. “They’ll want on the board to do their share and get it done.”
While Gillon said everything is working in a positive direction, significant more dollars still are needed from the community.
“Things are progressing nicely,” agreed RRCA president Ken McKinnon, who also heads the current steering committee. “But we still have a ways to go.
“I’d like to see twice as many pledges and I’d be twice as happy,” he remarked.
McKinnon said until they had enough pledges, there was no way they could make plans. But they put some pressure on finding the funds and now they can start to get serious about the project.
Besides the 75 pledges so far, he noted several businesses also have offered to lend money towards the planning of the abattoir.
“It’s a real plus,” McKinnon enthused. “It’s really good to have the support from the community.”
“The producers realize we need something like this,” said Spuzak. “It can’t get built soon enough—people want to see it happen.”
Spuzak added he feels some of the pressure is off now because they know they have the support from the community. “It’s given us the encouragement to keeping going forward,” he noted.
“It’s also really exciting to see people who aren’t even producers pledging money,” McKinnon stressed. “While they personally have nothing to gain, they can see the value this will add to the district.”
He added anyone interested in the project is welcome to come out to the April 4 meeting.
“It’s open to everyone,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a great information session.”
He also urged those who still are uncommitted to get on board.
“This really has to be a team effort,” McKinnon stressed. “It’s a district-wide project which is going to help everyone.
“If the producers can start making some extra money with an abattoir, then it will help the businesses around and the economy.”
McKinnon added he’s excited to get a legal organization together.
“At this point, things are still unofficial and it is very important to get this committee together is we can start down a legally-governed path.”
While no money has been asked yet of the people who have signed pledged forms, they have offered to pay a $500 membership fee and loan $2,000 towards the project.
“Next time [after next month’s meeting] we go to the people, I expect we’ll be asking for real money,” said McKinnon.
“So few people have been negative about this whole thing,” he added. “Most see it as being beneficial.”
In the meantime, McKinnon stressed the current steering committee will continue trying to get even more pledges.
“We’ve got to get the producer share higher,” he admitted, adding he hopes to see many people out at the April 4 meeting.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
