The wheels are in motion for a Children's Safety Village to open in Lambton County this year.
The safety village committee has changed its business plan and will be building the village at Lorne C. Henderson Conservation area in Petrolia.
Chair Mary Ann Buntrock says it has been a big change, but for the better.
"It's been good," says Buntrock. "The kids go there [on school trips] anyway. In the morning the conservation area can have them, then they have a break, then we can have them in the afternoon or vice versa. It's just such a marvellous partnership."
She expects to open this fall.
"We should be up and running by September of this year, or Christmas," says Buntrock. "We sent out an estimate to a local construction company for assistance in giving us a rough idea of what we're dealing with and they've now given us an estimate, with a letter, saying that they would like to talk to us about donations in kind. So, we really appreciate it. It's just coming full circle."
The project is estimated to cost $750,000, about half of the fundraising target previously set to build the village in Mooretown, on land donated by St. Clair Township.
Buntrock says they've received two significant donations to the project, which will be presented publicly next month.
Lambton County Council tabled the committee's request for $250,000 over five years to 2019 budget negotiations Wednesday.
The village will focus on bike, fire, drug, farm and internet safety training.
Lambton Children's Safety Village Plans (Courtesy of handout provided to Lambton County Council) April 4, 2018
