Threshers express disappointment over lack of consultation with North Huron over daycare
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
On Aug. 11, North Huron Council discussed a letter it recently received from Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association (HPTHA) President Laura McDonald regarding the township’s recent decision to build a new daycare on the site of the Blyth Campground.
In her letter, McDonald expresses concerns that the project will impact the heritage steam show that her association has put on every year since the Threshers first constructed the campground for their annual event. When the HPTHA transferred ownership of the campground to the Village of Blyth years ago, it came with the understanding that the Threshers would continue to hold their annual show on the site. The HPTHA retains ownership of all but one of the buildings on the property.
McDonald’s letter expressed disappointment that the association had not been consulted before the township moved forward with the plans for the daycare. “We were made aware of the proposed development initially through media coverage, only to be subsequently contacted by township staff to inform, not consult, us on the project’s plans and timeline,” it reads. “These communications did not seek our input nor address the substantial impacts such a development will have on our event operations… we are deeply troubled by the fact that the township proceeded with identifying and selecting this site without prior engagement or consultation with our organization,” McDonald wrote. “This raises the question of whether this pattern will continue to repeat at our expense.”
A concern outlined in the letter was the loss of approximately 30 to 40 hydro-serviced campsites due to the daycare’s proposed location. McDonald emphasized that these campsites are a significant revenue source for the Threshers, as camping fees make up a large portion of the association’s funding. “We respectfully ask how the township intends to compensate Threshers for this loss of income?” she asks. “Will the impacted hydro-serviced campsites be relocated elsewhere on the property?”
She also raises issues about the timing of the proposed daycare’s construction, which could overlap with the HPTHA’s plans for its 65th anniversary, which is being held at the Blyth Campground in conjunction with the 2026 International Harvester Red Power show. This big celebration has been in the works for three years, and is expected to draw even more campers and tractors to Blyth than a normal reunion. “We are already making efforts to coordinate off-site camping options in anticipation of space constraints, and this proposed development puts the success of this milestone event at risk,” McDonald explains.
McDonald also noted the apparent disparity in how the Threshers were treated compared to other community groups. She referenced the community’s previous proposal to build a soccer field on the campgrounds, a project that required consultation with the Threshers before proceeding. “We are also concerned by the apparent precedent being set with development projects defaulting to the Blyth Campgrounds,” McDonald wrote. “Each time, more space is taken away from our event with little to no opportunity for dialogue.”
Despite these concerns, McDonald emphasized that the HPTHA was not opposed to the daycare project itself, but rather to the lack of consultation and communication during the planning process. “We are not opposed to the development of a new daycare facility for Blyth,” McDonald concluded. “However, we firmly believe that proper communication and stakeholder engagement - particularly with those directly affected - must be a priority in the planning process.”
Reeve Paul Heffer opened council’s discussion by suggesting that staff first review the letter and then directly respond to the concerns raised by the Threshers.
Deputy-Reeve Kevin Falconer pointed out that there may be some misunderstandings regarding past agreements between the Threshers and the township, and suggested that staff compile a complete history of the relationship between the two parties. “There have been 20 or 21 agreements between the Threshers and the Village of Blyth since the inception of the reunion weekend,” he estimated. “And I think we’ll find that the municipality has been on the hook for quite a few of those improvements, through the taxpayers of the townships.” Falconer also suggested a meeting between the Threshers and council to clarify the facts surrounding past agreements and the current proposal.
Councillor Chris Palmer had some questions for Kelly Steiss, Director of Recreation and Children’s Services, regarding the upcoming daycare facility in Blyth. “If a building was put in Blyth, it doesn’t necessarily mean Blyth kids are in it,” he pointed out. “Maybe you can clarify who gets in first?” Palmer continued, referring to a discussion he had with Councillor Mitch Wright about whether the daycare would be open to children from the entire county. “I’d like to know more about the rules of who gets in first. And are we full in Wingham? And do we have enough staff to go up to 100 per cent capacity?”
Steiss responded by explaining that the waitlist priority for the new daycare facility had not yet been determined. “Staff have had some preliminary discussions around how we can best support those in Blyth and the surrounding area first, but there are a lot of different factors,” she said. “We know that some families are traveling an hour to access daycare - how can we best support some of those families and reduce some of the barriers and stresses they’re under? No determinations have been made at this point.”
Steiss also told Palmer that the Wingham daycare is quite busy, if not at complete capacity at all times. “To say we would be at 100 per cent would not be accurate, because we have some vacancies. When I do my quarterly reports to council, you’ll see that there are some at 80 per cent capacity. Some of that is based on the ability for us to hire staff, particularly in our before and after school program. Those tend to be split shifts, so it’s a harder position to fill,” she explained.
Steiss also pointed out that she had previously sought council’s support in staffing the Wingham daycare. “I’ve come to council in the past to find ways to have full-time, permanent positions, as a way to provide a more lucrative opportunity for employment,” she reminded them.
Wright wanted to know if there was enough time to further research the history of the situation without negatively impacting the Threshers Reunion. Chief Administrative Officer Nelson Santos told Wright that this year’s event would not be affected, but admitted that discussions would need to be had with the Threshers about next year’s larger event. “We should be able to discuss operational plans and discuss the site plan and any changes during that interim - I think we can resolve the operational concerns or questions that are there,” Santos said. “But in terms of specifically requesting a change in location, that’s council’s bailiwick, in terms of whether you want to reconsider the daycare location, or continue to move the plans along as we are right now, with the architect in place and the designing for servicing going on at this time.”
Once Santos confirmed that there is sufficient time to look into the issue further, Wright put forth a motion for staff to prepare a follow-up report on the history of the agreement with the HPTHA, to be brought back to council for discussion.
Palmer wanted to know if there were any other options for the daycare location that had not yet been considered. “Have all other sites been exhausted, like the second ball diamond, for instance?” he asked. “Or the end of Drummond Street East… even in Belgrave, at the arena, to the south end, is kind of an empty spot. I’m just trying to think outside the box,” he explained. “We get a lot of resistance for a lot of things in Blyth, as a rule… maybe we need to go outside. It doesn’t really matter if someone has to drive a little bit, they should be happy that they can get in.” In North Huron’s 2021 Master Plan, the recommended location for the new daycare was inside a portion of the Blyth Arena that had been deemed an “underutilized” space. While this aligned with the plan’s recommendation that new facilities be installed in existing buildings whenever possible, the idea was later rejected.
Councillor Anita van Hittersum pointed out that there had been a time to consider other options, and it was before the decision to put the daycare at the campground was made. “We’ve already had reports about the location for the Blyth child care centre. Staff, everybody, and architects - we have determined that this is the best place. This will serve a real need for our population. We need young people in a community, we have the facilities, we have so many things that young people need… we don’t have daycare facilities,” she reminded council. “There’s a waiting list, and the last time I checked, it’s over 200 children. It’s just something that we really need - this will bring more people to Blyth. They will shop there, they will do all kinds of things, 52 weeks a year. And I think we have to keep that in mind - that we’ve exhausted a lot of other spaces already.”
Falconer agreed with van Hittersum. “This process has gone to the point of designating an architect on a location that was discussed and voted on by council… bringing back discussion on that again, unless someone wants to put a motion forward to reopen that, I think this is a frivolous conversation.”
Palmer argued that it’s never a bad idea to be thorough, and suggested the possibility of moving the daycare further into the arena parking lot to preserve the campsites. “I’m just being sensitive to what the Threshers are saying,” he explained.
Santos responded that the parking lot had been considered as a possibility. “Even if we relocate the existing footprint that we’ve identified on the property, the concern was that moving it into the parking lot will still impact the Threshers to the degree of how they set up and load for the event themselves with their big machinery… the proposed location seems to be less impactful, from the staff and township perspective,” he told council.
Santos also pointed out that the sites being removed are the least desirable ones in the whole campground. “These aren’t necessarily premium lots,” he said. “We feel, for the balance of the year, the 52 weeks a year service to the community outweighs that short-term one-week benefit for potentially 30 campgrounds that are less used than the others.”
Following the discussion, Wright’s motion to direct staff to prepare a report on the history of the relationship between the HPTHA and the township was passed 5-1, with only Councillor Lonnie Whitfield voting against.