'A symbol for the township:' New Hamburg trade board eyeing waterwheel upgrade
A New Hamburg landmark may soon be getting a facelift.
The old wooden waterwheel at William Scott Park could be replaced with a steel one as the Board of Trade eyes an upgrade.
First built by the New Hamburg Trade Board in 1990, the waterwheel has started showing its age recently and even stopped rotating last year.
"It's around 30 years old, so it is past its life expectancy," said Joe Figliomeni, chair of the Board of Trade's Waterwheel Committee.
The board is proposing a design similar to the original, but the new steel one would generate power.
"It's not going to generate a lot, but if we could get the lights down in the park area lit, that would be great," Figliomeni said.
The group is also suggesting adding an educational component, such as a kiosk, to explain the history and importance of local milling operations.
Figliomeni estimates the cost of upgrading the waterwheel between $200,000 and $300,000.
Some New Hamburg residents who spoke to CTV News said they felt the price tag was too steep, but the trade board says it’s a worthwhile investment.
"We want to sort of capitalize on that and see if we can draw more tourists to the area," Figliomeni said.
For many, the structure is more than just a waterwheel, but an iconic emblem for the community.
"It's a symbol for the Township of Wilmot and New Hamburg in general," Figliomeni said.
The trade board says there will be a fundraising component involved to support the project, but only if the community is on board with the upgrade.
"It's got to be a community project, so we have to have community consensus," Figliomeni said.
The trade board is presenting its plans to council Monday and is asking for feedback from the public.
If approved, the project could start early in the new year with the new steel waterwheel spinning in the park by the end of next summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.