
10th Annual Mayor's Top 10
The Mayor’s Top Ten is a great review of the past year. And it is a good reminder that each one of you are involved in the success of Hanover. Together, we share in the work, the outcomes, the successes, and the excitement that comes from living up to our progressive character.
This is a milestone year – 10 for 10 and although I lean toward routine and tried and true practice, this presentation will be a little different.
Cast your mind back to 2014. It was a year of transition as it was my first year as mayor. Former Mayor Kathi Maskell and I shared the Top Ten presentation at the Grey Rose restaurant. I know we all miss the Grey Rose with its upscale dining and the attraction it had for Hanover.
In 2014, #1 was our Homecoming Celebrations: 110 Years in the Making
Our Heritage Committee’s ‘Windows in Time & the Pop-Up Museum’ were an overwhelming success and chronicled our growth and progress over the past 110 years. Today’s Mystery Photo activity is a flashback using several of the Windows in Time photos. The community financial benefit from Homecoming was huge with a surplus of over $56,000. This did not include the economic spin off from local shopping, dining and accommodations. Seventy business sponsors, 20 partner organizations, hundreds of volunteers and staff from all town departments pulled off Hanover’s Biggest Block Party! As a note, we did not host a 2024 Homecoming as we are looking toward our 125th Anniversary in 2029.
The next year, we moved to the Lion’s Den at the P & H Centre.
In 2015, Launch Pad Youth Activity & Technology Centre took the top spot.
Launch Pad was a project three years in the making, from 10 years of visioning. The Centre opened with 37 corporate supporters, 172 youth members, and just over $94,000 in donations from the regional community. Programming ranged from graphic design and software development to kickboxing and personal wellness, financial management to post-secondary degrees and art shops. The energy at Launch Pad was phenomenal and the support from our region was second to none.
In 2016, Launch Pad Youth Phase 2 Renovations was #1 for the 2nd year in a row, which was a first for back to back recognition. In a very short time, more than 20 different sponsors, including businesses, government bodies, and foundations, came together to support this $240,000 project. With these new renovations, Launch Pad created even more opportunities for skill building initiatives not just for youth, but for adults as well. Renovations transformed the garage bays of Launch Pad, you may remember it was a Ford dealership, into a fully equipped regional trades and training facility that included: a new state-of-the-art commercial learning kitchen, a trades space and a media events area and classroom space.
My message was this: Our young people matter. Their experience in our region matters. Their attitude and perceptions about life, opportunity and their role in our future matters. Doing everything, we can to support our youth is critically important in helping build a strong economy here in Hanover and in the larger region of Grey County.
2017 was Canada’s 150th birthday
The Canada Day celebrations were extra special as we marked our country’s 150th birthday. Heritage Square was transformed into a carnival celebration complete with inflatable amusements, children’s activities, live entertainment and of course cupcakes. And everyone was entertained by country music star and local legend Larry Mercey and his Trio. To commemorate Canada’s 150th birthday we buried a time capsule to be unearthed in 50 years. When this time capsule is opened for the 200th birthday of Canada people will celebrate all the changes and milestones that have happened since its burial. Across this great country everyone was celebrating Canada’s birthday. Despite our relatively young age, Canada is a country rich in history, culture and diversity. A lot of significant events and achievements have happened in 150 years. One of the most important and defining events was that Canada was granted full independence to change its Constitution. It included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states that all people are equal before the law, whatever their race, religion, sex, age or mental or physical ability. That is such a powerful, defining statement.
In 2018, the top spot was given to Gateway for their $18 million expansion
We believe Gateway couldn’t have picked a better community in which to invest $18 million dollars. Renovations created a new 32,000 square foot entertainment destination and the additional 70 jobs this project created were vital to Hanover’s economic growth. Hanover welcomed Gateway Casinos and we continue to celebrate our mutually beneficial and long lasting partnership.
2019 Plans took the top spot
Hanover finalized and approved our First Cultural Plan and we were excited to start implementing actions to support the identified goals. We updated our 2015 Strategic Plan with the goal of reflecting current municipal priorities and those of our newly elected council. We also updated our Emergency Response Plan, the Town’s Accessibility Plan, and our Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan. Most community plans involve engaging residents through focus groups and surveys and require significant staff and council time, but when the Plans are completed, they are important living documents that guide our budgets, priorities, policies, initiatives and actions.
2020 #1 was COVID-19
Every part of the world was affected by the pandemic, and every aspect of life was impacted. Our everyday routines were brought to a stop, and any sense of normalcy was lost. The pandemic caused people to re-evaluate their life and assess priorities. It served as a reminder of how precious life is and to appreciate the small things in life.
2021 #1 was April Marshall, Economic Development Manager
April joined the Town of Hanover in 2017. In her role as the Economic Development Manager, she is the connector that supports collaboration, growth and development, retention, attraction and creativity. In 2021, April was named one of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario’s Top Ten. This honour is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated overall excellence in the economic development profession and delivered local initiatives that have resulted in a positive impact in their respective community. April said the exciting and successful initiatives in Hanover are a team effort and it only happens when we work together, and that is true, but her success is our success, and we were and continue to be proud to be part of it.
2022 Collaboration was #1
Early in the morning on May 19th, a fire broke out at a rooming house in downtown Hanover. Thanks to the observations by two 2 Hanover Police officers on patrol and the brave actions of the Hanover firefighters, Hanover Police officers and others, everyone was safely evacuated before the buildings were fully engulfed.
The Hanover Fire Department and their mutual aid partners battled the blaze throughout the night, resulting in other buildings being spared from significant damage in our downtown core area. No serious injuries were reported, and lives were undoubtedly saved. Two police officers were recognized for their brave actions during the fire. Constables Bill and Perdue were awarded the Police Medal for Bravery by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. They entered the building with little regard for their safety, kicking in doors and awakening people who were inside and unaware of the fire. The downtown fire, while an unfortunate disastrous event for our community, highlighted the importance of community partners and agencies in our community, particularly in the event of an emergency.
2023 Our recently completed and adopted Corporate Strategic Plan was #1
This Plan identifies important Town issues and opportunities, and it builds off the success of Council’s direction from the previous Strategic Plan. The collaborative process included input from the Leadership Team which consists of members of council and the senior management team; a citizen and a staff questionnaires, two leadership team working group sessions and three focus group sessions. From the input received, we heard how important outdoor spaces, parks and trails are to residents and their families. And we heard that the most important “local government services to your household are “police, fire & emergency services” and “safe & well-maintained roads & sidewalks”. The final plan, Building Our Future Together, is action-oriented and detailed in clear and simple language. It is a results-focused plan with 5 strategic goal statements that include 56 actions that will be monitored with a progress tracker document. I’m pleased to share that 75% of the actions (42 of 56) are in various stages of progress!
Creating a Top Three for 2024 instead of a traditional Top Ten list is a refreshing change. It may become a new tradition for me. Recognition is a motivator and making the list and promoting the success is a powerful tool to boost morale, encourage participation, and spotlight individuals or groups in our community. It also includes bragging rights.
2024 – #3 is our Junior C Ice Hockey Team
Congratulations to the Hanover Barons for winning the following titles: the 2023-24 Pollock Division and North Conference Champions. It was an exciting playoff run especially since it’s been 21 years since the Barons won this Division. Game 7 was a fan pleaser with great hockey, pressure and nervous energy both on the benches and in the ‘full barn’ – a nickname carried over from coliseum days. It was announced that the crowd, here in the P & H Centre was 1,100 – A sold out crowd as the maximum for capacity is 1,100. Our community commitment to recreation and all levels of hockey was evident when a letter was written to the professor of one of the players requesting an alternate time for his final exam as it conflicted with one of the playoff games. This player was leading the entire province in scoring in the league. The Barons needed him. The letter was signed by Mike Meyers, President of the Hanover Barons, Councillor Harold Fleet as a former Barons player and executive member and me on behalf of the Town. The exam was rescheduled so our ‘assist’ helped ‘score’ the ‘goal’. I extend heartfelt congratulations to every player. Winning the PJHL North Conference title is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional teamwork. These hockey players not only brought pride to the team but also invigorated the spirit of our entire community. A special thank you to the incredible coaches, trainers, and volunteers. Their guidance, commitment, and tireless efforts were and continue to be instrumental in the team’s success. Together, they created an unforgettable season filled with memorable moments and strong bonds. Here’s to continued success and the lasting impact they’ve made on and off the ice in Hanover.
#2 is the continued success of our Economic Development initiatives
Assisting April Marshall, our Economic Development Manager, with ED initiatives is our Economic, Tourism, Culture and Development committee. Other departments and committees such as Building and Planning and Parks, Recreation and Culture are interconnected as are the Downtown Improvement Association and the Chamber of Commerce. It is safe to say that Economic Development is weaved throughout the Town and the services it provides.
Economic development is instrumental in our success and your success. It creates jobs, supports business retention and attraction, and it improves our quality of life and lifestyle.
If you haven’t connected with April, I encourage you to put that on your ‘to do’ list as she is the driving force in delivering many innovative projects, programs, and initiatives.
We have a lot going on in our community. Initiatives this past year have been varied, encompassing and exciting.
- In partnership with Launch Pad, a series of ‘Trades are Cool’ videos were completed to promote young people exploring a career in the skilled trades.
- The final phase of the Wayfinding Strategy was implemented, completing the full network of directional signs that highlight our leading assets and attractions, as well as parks, trails and entrance events signs.
- The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) continues to support investment in our business community’s properties and promote new development. The CIP supported development of a new building in the business park and four downtown projects which involved enhanced facades, installation of a new digital sign and parking, landscaping and accessibility improvements.
- Partnerships and sponsorships resulted in a very successful Saugeen Summer Student Start-Up Program with Saugeen Connects. We are investing in our youth now so later they may consider Hanover a great place to own or operate a business.
- WOWSA hosted a Women-Owned Business event that provided participants an opportunity to meet entrepreneurs and learn about their journey.
- Our Cultural Round Table collaborated with two partners to further our shared cultural and tourism agendas and implementation of the following successes:
- A Cultural Symposium was held at the Hanover Civic Theatre and a Saugeen Culture Bus tour delivered a day of unique experiences;
- The launch of the Driftscape app is exciting. It promotes tourism and enhances visitor experiences throughout the region. I encourage you to download the app, check out our businesses, and take the virtual historical walking tours. I find it extremely interesting to learn about the first settlers of Hanover. You can listen to Al Morrow, our town historian tour the Hanover cemetery and in his words “journey back through the mists of time’.
- The second annual Mayor’s Breakfast was excellent. It featured an Innovative Work Culture panel discussion with representatives from local employers. It was a great opportunity to hear what local businesses are doing to retain and attract employees.
- Hanover’s Innovative People Program launched the HIPP Entrepreneur Business Pitch Competition. Over $11,000 was collected from generous sponsors which provided winners with start-up capital, business coaching, advertising packages, digital media support, and complimentary memberships and services. Eight applications were received with KidsPlay being awarded first prize, The Alley Family Entertainment Centre second, and Craft CNC third.
Hanover is buzzing with energy and positivity. We're standing at the threshold of growth, driven by recent strides in economic development and our community is in a great position, ready to capitalize on all emerging opportunities.
Hanover’s new fire hall took the #1 spot in 2024.
This truly is a 'Hanover Proud Moment' as we unveil our state-of-the-art facility, ready to address the fire, emergency response, training, and educational demands for the next 50 years and beyond.
The old fire hall, constructed in the 1930s with its impressive 90-year life span, has concluded its journey. It served our community well, but it could no longer keep pace with modern demands.
Our community's growth and regional centre status highlighted the critical need for a fire hall that not only accommodates current resident needs but also aligns with provincial regulations and offers state-of-the-art training spaces.
Our new fire hall excels in design, functionality, and climate stewardship. It's a net-zero building, generating as much energy as it consumes.
In October, the Hanover Fire Department proudly hosted the Camp Molly program, a not-for-profit initiative that honors Molly Williams, the first recorded female firefighter in North America. Camp Molly is an empowering program encouraging young women to explore firefighting careers. Over four days, 25 young women aged 15 to 18 had a dynamic learning experience in various fire service areas. This event drew participants from Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth, Elgin, Haldimand, Oxford, Middlesex, as well as the Regions of Waterloo and Niagara. Graduates celebrated with family, fellow firefighters, and distinguished guests, reinforcing our status as a true regional center.
Hanover Fire & Rescue took pride in hosting this inspiring event at our new hall, even though our new landmark awaited its final touches.
Our council members shared a moment of collective pride during a sneak peek tour – we were all smiles and wide-eyed with this impressive facility.
This past Sunday, we saw Hanover Fire & Rescue seamlessly transition their equipment and vehicles into the new 15,500 square foot fire hall, marking the beginning of a new era of emergency operations from our cutting-edge facility.
The grand opening, eagerly anticipated by our community, will be held early in 2025, promising to open another chapter in the story of Hanover’s commitment to excellence and innovation in emergency services and community safety.
Before I wrap up, I want to acknowledge the positive partnership that exists between the Town of Hanover and OLG. This partnership has not only supported our local economy through shared initiatives but also enhanced our community with significant contributions to local projects and infrastructure. Here’s to a future filled with shared successes and continued investment in our community.
So, that concludes the Top Ten for 2024. 2025 promises to be another notable year with energy, positivity and all those good vibrations.