Township responds to concerns one of Ontario’s oldest county fairs may be history after 2026

The Township of Scugog declares it has “no intention” of stopping the Port Perry Fair, despite chatter among the populace that hiring a consultant to look at future options for the fairgrounds – home to the fair since 1886 – is a slippery slope to a sale of the lands to developers.

“There are no discussions about the sale of the land or even any possible plans for the land … nor have there been any discussions with developers about building on the site,” the township said in response to INdurham. “Right now, the only conversation being held on this project is in relation to retaining a consultant to assist with the community-wide visioning exercise.”

The history of the Port Perry Fair dates to before confederation (1853), with the fair moving to its current location just a few blocks from historic downtown Port Perry in 1886. The land was sold to the township in 1910, with the Port Perry Agricultural Society contributing $750 – half the cost – and the fairgrounds have been leased to the agricultural society ever since.

“We love the fair and want it to continue, as long as the Agricultural Society is willing and able to host it,” the township declared.

Residents began to get concerned when the township put off a decision to renew the lease in April – granting the agricultural society a three-month extension instead – and voted to ‘pause’ the request and look to hire consultant to achieve a “vision” for the site after an in-camera session in July.

The current lease expires next year and Mike Coll of the Keep Port Perry Fairgrounds Public group wants Mayor Wilma Wotten and her councillors to take a stand and save the fair.

“The Port Perry Agricultural Society has been leasing the Port Perry Fairgrounds since 1910. It has never had a busier calendar of events, with over 13 events scheduled including the annual fair. It’s our community hub and needs to be kept public,” Coll said.

The Agricultural Society submitted a board-approved comprehensive Agri-Park vision for the site in January but “rather than renew the lease” in April, council instead went in-camera and came out with a three-month extension, he said. In July council again went in-camera, coming out with a ‘visioning exercise’ that would give the consultant “the “final vision.”

“Since there was no vote on terms of reference or bylaws to govern this vision exercise, our group responded. The community has responded,” Coll said, adding that the plan is to “stop this exercise” at the planning committee meeting scheduled for September 15.

The township, however, said the consultant will be chosen to gather feedback from residents and key stakeholders, including the Port Perry Agricultural Society. The plans they present to Council would be based on those ideas for the grounds; the consultant will not be bringing their own ideas, nor the ideas of Council. “We want to make sure that whatever is done with the grounds is in-line with what the community wants.”

It is not yet a given a consultant will even be hired, the statement added. “We are just accepting Requests for Proposals from potential consultant companies, and one will be chosen if we feel we are getting enough value for money. This conversation will happen at an upcoming Special Council Meeting, currently scheduled for September 15. We will be releasing the agenda for that meeting shortly.”

“Our hope is that if we facilitate a visioning exercise this fall, residents will participate in a positive and constructive way.”

Staff “do not have the capacity” to conduct a full consultation on the project, the township noted. “Given the value and pride the community has in the lands, we need to ensure the whole community is as represented as it can be.”

Coll’s concern about the decision to hire a consultant being made in-camera – “this process should be as transparent as possible” was also covered in the statement from the township.

Council discussions regarding the lease renewal request in closed session – as permitted under the Municipal Act – was done to allow for a “proper discussion of confidential information and to protect the township’s negotiating position” regarding any potential lease of the property, the statement read. “Future discussions regarding the results of the community-driven visioning exercise will take place in open session.”

More information on the vision exercise can be found at my.scugog.ca/fairgrounds.

The 2025 Port Perry Fair takes place ths weekend.