The L.E.A.F. Initiative is a Commonwell program to support capacity, resiliency and growth in the communities we call home.

Richmond Legacy Pavilion

P.O. Box 1312 3441 Mcbean Street RichmondK0A 2Z0

Target Completion Date: September 1, 2022

What is this project about?

The village of Richmond, Ontario celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 2018 with a year filled with numerous, often spectacular, events including an epic activity long weekend. In its early stages of planning, the Celebration Committee members focused on fund raising that ensured a high-quality programme conducted within a well thought out and achievable budget. A primary committee objective was to sponsor a series of events at no cost to attendees. Consequently, little attention was given to including a legacy project within its programme such was the concern over having sufficient funds to meet the needs of its ambitious plan.

Subsequent to the celebrations commencing and with the realization successful fundraising meant a legacy project was possible, the committee members started planning for such an opportunity; however, leaving this initiative so late in the celebration year meant missing Heritage Canada’s suspense date for submitting an application for such projects, the loss of a significant legacy project grant opportunity.

In canvassing for suggestions within Richmond, it became apparent the village had very few public facilities that citizens could use for a variety of entertainment and recreational activities.

Equally important, the Richmond Agricultural Society, the sponsor of one of the largest fall fairs in Eastern Ontario, was instrumental in providing support for the 200th celebrations in the form of its complete fairground facilities being placed at the disposition of the Celebration Committee. The Society also provided critical logistical support, numerous onsite capabilities such as utilities, and numerous volunteers for the main celebration weekend.

The current situation, the realization that the annual fall fair sponsored by the Richmond Agricultural Society is a keystone village and westend Ottawa event, and the Society’s offer to provide a site resulted in the selection of an open-air pavilion as the legacy project. As such, it would serve a multitude of uses for public events and private functions.

In addition to providing overhead protection from the elements, the pavilion will have the following capabilities and features:

• Folding mobile stage to accommodate a variety of different performances;

• Audio wiring with main and auxiliary controls;

• Equipment hooks for sound and light;

• Multiple water, natural gas, and electric hookups to accommodate a range of public or private events;

• Ceiling fans;

• An announcer’s booth for exterior fairground events particularly those in the adjacent corral/riding ring;

• Pot lights;

• Security lighting;

• Sliding enclosure panels to counter inclement weather;

• Handicap entry and a gently sloped entry at the side of the pavilion;

• A secondary shed for utilities, storage, and access control; and

• Seating and tables will be provided by the Richmond Agricultural Society or the host can arrange a separate source depending on the attendance size.

Why is this project important to the community?

Richmond is a bedroom community of the City of Ottawa and has key outlets to serve the immediate needs of its 4,000 residents (2016 Census survey). Equally important, Richmond was founded as a British military garrison but, over time, became the seat for an extensive agricultural community, a role it continues today and one that adds a much larger population base and increased need for public and private facilities. Most shopping, service outlets, and recreational facilities other than an ice rink, soccer pitches and ball diamonds are located in adjacent communities, 20 to 30 minutes travelling time away. The Village is expanding rapidly and will see growth of over 2,500 additional housing units in the next decade. Currently, Richmond lacks most of the amenities surrounding communities have but that the villagers need. Except for sports fields and open grasslands, there are no outdoor gathering sites available to villagers to sponsor events. Other than the local Royal Canadian Legion Branch indoor facility and indoor church venues, gathering places for outdoor events for those larger than small family gatherings are non-existent. Building a pavilion will provide a facility that, during temperate months, will meet the stated needs of members of the community and permit a variety of formal and informal events to be staged by residents as well as local businesses. It will also provide a venue for several outdoor concerts that are staged by several local sponsors and give the Richmond Agricultural Society a facility for many of its annual events.