Port Perry Agricultural Society (PPAS) yesterday said the future of the fairgrounds consultation is still unclear despite significant public investment. Questions persist about whether public input will meaningfully influence council decisions.
A PPAS statement said Darwin Pivot, the Toronto-based consulting firm hired by Scugog Township to lead the fairgrounds consultation, insists that its mandate is strictly to listen and report and is not intended to advance or justify any predetermined outcome, including the sale of the fairgrounds.
“That clarification stands in contrast to ongoing concerns raised in the community, including following public statements indicating that council may choose to sell the fairgrounds. Those statements have heightened skepticism about why the consultation is taking place at all and whether the outcome has already been shaped,” the statement said.
Serious Questions About The Intent
Scugog’s administration has stated that it will decide in February “whether to proceed with further community engagement to explore future directions for the fairgrounds”, raising new questions about whether the consultation process will continue.
PPAS reaffirmed its long-standing position that the Fairgrounds Park should be protected in its entirety, secured through a new lease, and used more extensively for community benefit — a position the organization has advocated for years.
“The Fairgrounds Park is an essential part of Port Perry, and we have been clear for years that it should be protected, better used, and supported through a new lease,” said Paul Puckrin, PPAS President. “While the consultant claims a neutral role, the mixed signals coming from council raise serious questions about the intent behind this process and whether public input will genuinely influence the outcome.”
Mixed Messaging
“Consultants were hired at nearly $100,000 to meaningfully consult with the community,” Puckrin added. “Now we see the possibility that the consultation may not proceed further. That’s more mixed messaging and leaves people wondering about the neutrality of the process.”
PPAS participated fully in the consultant’s on-site visit, providing detailed feedback and outlining community priorities. At the same time, the PPAS emphasized that the decision to initiate the consultation — despite strong public opposition — rests solely with council, as does any final decision about the future of the Fairgrounds.
“We will continue to engage in good faith, and we want to collaborate with the township to enhance the Fairgrounds Park,” added Puckrin.
PPAS encourages residents to remain engaged in the consultation process and will continue advocating for the Fairgrounds Park.