AMHERSTBURG & RIVER CANARD
Yacht Club Specializing in
•Custom •Pediatric •Fracture
BOAT DOCKAGE
AVAILABLE!
COVERED WITH BENEFITS
PLEASE CALL
519-736-2969
433 Sandwich St. S. Next to Armando’s • 519-736-0972
1500 FRONT ROAD N.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Amendments for Bike rodeo teaches two-wheel safety project at GAHS site approved By Ron Giofu The proposed mixed use plan for the former General Amherst High School site will proceed. Amherstburg town council approved an Official Plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment and that means the proposal by the Valente Development Corporation has cleared a major hurdle as they attempt to redevelop the site. While an addition to the motion to approve the amendments called for the town to ask administration to work with the developer on the issues of lighting, traffic, garbage, fire protect, access to the site and other related issues, the plan for 130 Sandwich St. S. is moving forward. Those plans call for an eight-storey residential tower, an 11-storey residential tower and commercial space while trying to preserve historic facades of the former public high school. The issue of whether town hall is going in there will be decided at a later date, as will what might happen to neighbouring Bill Wigle Park. Peter Valente, president of the Valente Development Corporation, said it is a “really big investment” his company is undertaking and was excited that the Official Plan and zoning bylaw amendments were approved by Amherstburg town council. He said his mother’s family is still in Amherstburg and many people in town had attended General Amherst High School. “When I bought the property, I knew a lot of people would have an interest in it,” said Valente. The redevelopment of the former high school is one of the biggest projects his company has entertained and said it will take “many, many millions” to realize the vision.
Continued on Page 2
N OW O P E N
WALK-IN HEART TESTS
HEART TESTS EKG/ECG HOLTER/BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR (24H)
519 736-9980
MON-FRI 8AM-4PM + SAT 9AM-12PM
433 Sandwich St S., Suite 101
Members of the Rotary Club of Amherstburg helped with a free barbecue at Sunday’s bike rodeo. From left: Corey Rainhard, Susanne Rainhard, Tony Ross, Jeremy Warnock, Nancy Roy and Karen Davidson.
Const. Nick Dupuis assists Finn Lyons over one of the ramps during last Sunday’s Amherstburg Bike Rodeo.
By Ron Giofu The annual Amherstburg Bike Rodeo returned last Sunday and local youth got tips on how to ride safely. The bike rodeo was presented at Families First Funeral Home with bicycle raffles, swag bags, obstacle courses, bike safety checks and a barbecue part of the day’s events. The Amherstburg Fire Department was also on hand allowing children to view the fire trucks and a bouncy castle was also on site. Const. Nick Dupuis, community services officer with the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment, said Bike Windsor-Essex joined them for the first time this year. They helped him and auxiliary police officers with the obstacle course Flow Cafe & Bikes provided the bicycles for the
FREE SEMINAR on
draws and helped check the overall shape of the bikes if families wanted them inspected. “The Rotary Club is doing the food,” he said. “Home Hardware donated cornhole boards.” Dupuis credited Families First for putting the bike rodeo on, but Jennifer Wells and Courtney Wilkinson-Lightfoot of Families first credited the community. Wells said the funeral company started presenting bike rodeos at its east Windsor location in 2010 and expanded it to Amherstburg in 2016 after they arrived in this community. “When we arrived in Amherstburg, we wanted to do something to enhance the town,” said Wells. Wells added it was a good way for Families First to work with so many community partners. She said there were ten other sponsors that helped with the Amherstburg Bike Rodeo. “We want to be part of the community and be part of the neighbourhood,” said Wells. Families First initially worked with the Amherstburg Police Service and now are “blessed” that the Windsor Police Service has continued with it. They are thankful for the support of the community. “We’ll see you again next year,” said Wells. “We couldn’t do it without all of our sponsors,” added Wilkinson-Lightfoot. “People are excited to be part of it. We’re extremely grateful.”
THE
LOFTS AT ST. ANTHONY - CIRCA 1911
DRIVE-THRU SPECIALTY COMPOUNDING BLISTER PACKS
“HEARING, TINNITUS & THE BRAIN” To register visit
HearingSeminar.ca Sponsored by
Preferred Realty Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
JOHN D’ALIMONTE
TRANSFER IN TODAY - WE DO THE WORK!
519-796-8073
433 Sandwich St S.
Sales Representative
SAME DAY SERVICE!
519.736.1684
519-736-2223 • apcw.ca