ELORA — The extension of a small-scale lighting initiative has some councillors worried about impacts on area residents.
Centre Wellington has approved a request from local benefactor Kat Florence Canada to extend its seasonal lighting initiative at 25 Mill St. W. in Elora from the end of February until March 16 to coincide with its Village of Lights initiative, after which the lights will be turned off and removed.
First approved in July 2024, the company's original agreement proposed installing 40 to 60 lbs of lights on the green space's trees from early November to the end of February with removal scheduled in March.
"This is a little bit of a moving target, just given the Christmas season and now there's another event planned," said Mayor Shawn Watters when the issue was discussed at a council meeting Monday. "I think obviously we're sort've adjusting here, we're a little bit on the fly."
The extension was a concern for Coun. Barb Evoy, asking whether the township has consulted with area residents to get their thoughts on the extension, saying she thinks 5/12 months might feel different than 3/12.
Staff said they haven't received any feedback on the lighting extension and encouraged any residents to use the township's Report It tool to share any concerns.
The lighting currently runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Repeating her concerns about the initiative's cohesion with the township's climate change efforts from the July meeting, Coun. Bronwynne Wilton asked how the extended agreement could impact area trees.
Staff said the township's urban forester was consulted and has confirmed the trees will be fine since tree dormancy typically extends to mid-April or May.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.