The Perth County Plowmen’s Association has plenty of municipal support as it moves forward with plans to host the 2013 International Plowing Match (IPM). On Thursday, March 4, county council agreed to provide $100,000 in “seed money” to be repaid from the profits of the event.
The commitment came just days after supporters learned that the Ontario Plowmen’s Association had accepted the bid. Two potential sites near Mitchell are currently under consideration for what will be the IPM’s 100th anniversary. There are plans to begin forming the various organizing committees over the next few weeks.
Overall, municipal officials seem confident that the region can support another IPM on the heels of the successful 2005 event in North Perth. There were some cautionary words, however, from North Perth Mayor Ed Hollinger at the recent council meeting before the creation of a special reserve was approved.
“If that plowing match is not successful, it will not be paid back,” he reminded. In a later interview, Hollinger made it clear that he fully supports the plans. “I think it is a great opportunity for the county,” he said. “Any time you bring this type of venue to the county it is awesome.”
Officials have indicated that the 2005 event brought in over $500,000. Hollinger says while the weather certainly helped, it would not have been possible without the incredible community commitment, especially the contributions of the volunteers. “In knowing what happened in 2005, there is a lot of work to be done. There are a lot of volunteers to recruit and you are only as good as that volunteer base you put there,” he said.
When asked about the chances of repeating the success with only eight years between events, Hollinger admitted, “Some of the people that volunteered would say I wouldn’t do it again in 10 years because of all the work that goes into.”
He then explained that because it will be held in another part of Perth County, different community resources will be available.
“Certainly because it is in another area, you can have a different volunteer base, even though some of them will probably be the same,” Hollinger said. “I think it is appropriate and great that it is the 100th anniversary of the plowing match as well.”
Hollinger then took the opportunity to reaffirm his support for everyone who is already involved in the planning process and eager to move ahead. “(I) certainly wish Bert (steering committee chair Bert Vorstenbosch Sr.) and all his organizing committee all the best of success and we always wish they come out on the black end of the profit rather than the red end.”