Despite support from the community, the North Buxton bid for a new pavilion came up just shy of a $50,000 grant.
North Buxton was one of eight communities chosen from across the province as a finalist for Pioneer’s “Here’s to Hometowns” contest. During the last few months of 2018, the contest was put to the public to support a community project by voting online.
The winners were announced Wednesday and North Buxton was not one of them.
Shannon Prince, the curator of the Buxton National Historic Site and Museum, said they're disappointed but proud to have made it so far in the contest.
"We were up against some big guns if you will," said Prince. "I think we as a small community here in Buxton really came together as the community [often] does. Also, we were really pleased and proud of the fact that the entire Chatham-Kent community were supporting our effort."
However, word of Buxton and the history behind the community spread past Chatham-Kent. Prince mentioned that because people shared the contest through social media, they were getting support from those as far as Patagonia.
"It was really nice to see people from all over, voting for us," she said. "We really do appreciate that support and the passion we have received from everyone."
If North Buxton won the grant, the money would have been used to build a new pavilion that would house major events, such as the annual Buxton Homecoming celebrations. Although North Buxton didn't win this specific grant, Prince said in the email received from Pioneer Wednesday, they were encouraged to apply to different financial opportunities.
"They were encouraging us to submit another application to Pioneer for further funding because of the work that we are doing within the community," she said.
Prince said she hasn't had a chance to look at the applications yet but she isn't opposed to trying again in the future.
"Possibly down the road, once we collect ourselves together and have another meeting... I wouldn't be surprised if we try to apply for something else," said Prince.
The communities awarded grants through the “Here’s to Hometowns” contest were Rocklyn, Ontario; Hickson, Ontario; Saint Remi, Quebec; and Windsor, Nova Scotia.