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Tillsonburg POST
JUNE 19, 2025 • VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 20
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Kinsmen pedestrian bridge to be replaced JEFF HELSDON
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Kinsmen Bridge will be replaced this summer. Town council approved reconstruction of the vital link between Hickory Hills and subdivisions on the west side of town and the downtown at the June 16 meeting. The accepted bid was for $3.25 million, less than the $4.69 million budgeted for the project. In a report to council, Director of Operations Carlos Reyes reported that five bids were received, ranging from $3.09 million to $4.97 million, inclusive of HST. The approved recommendation was to accept the lowest bid, $2.74 million, plus HST, from Lancoa Contracting of Caledon East. With the addition of engineering costs of $166,327 and a 10 per cent contingency to cover unexpected costs. This represents a savings of $1.4 million over the budgeted amount. The bidding process also allowed alternative materials to be submitted, rather than the metal design, which is more reminiscent of the rail heritage of the original bridge. Lancoa was the only bidder to include an alternative, which was a modular panel design that would have saved $250,000; however, it would have looked entirely different. The approved design was for a prefabricated girder design with metal grate walkway. Included in the bid was a deflector plate so those walking across the bridge wouldn’t be able to see the valley floor below, and create an issue for those with a fear of heights. It utilizes the existing cement pillars, with renovations, and features LED lighting on the walkway. CONTINUED TO PAGE 3
(JEFF HELSDON PHOTO)
TurtleFest was another success with wall-to-wall people downtown on Saturday for the annual street festival. There was something for people of all ages, from the bouncy castles to vendors, food trucks, and musical entertainment throughout the day.
TurtleFest set records on many fronts JEFF HELSDON
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
TurtleFest was another success, setting records in several different ways over the weekend. The event saw record attendance, a record number of vendors, the highest number of food vendors, and several new features. Last year, 30,000 people attended, a number confirmed by an independent analyst. Mark Renaud, CEO of the Tillsonburg District BIA, noted that the crowd seemed
larger in 2025. “We had many, many new faces at the festival. There were buses from Toronto,” he said explaining this was from a tour operator that chose day trips “There was a family that flew in from Calgary,” added Vanessa Fortner, BIA events and marketing coordinator. “They were family of one of the bands that played.” With sunny weather and enough of a breeze to keep it from being too hot, it worked in the event’s favour. Renaud noted there were 15 events in Oxford County on Saturday. CONTINUED TO PAGE 2
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