HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-01-28Newcastle Downtown Business Improvement Association 2025
Annual General Meeting
January 28, 2025 6:00pm at The Old Newcastle House
In attendance: Bonnie Wrightman(CBOT), Marni Lewis, Greg
Lewis (Desjardins Insurance), Theresa Vanhaverbeke (Syvan
Developments Limited), Karen and Gus Bastas (Newcastle
Parade Committee), Mayor Adrian Foster, Janeen Calder
(Newcastle Massage Therapy), Tracey Yates, Roger Yates (Lang
Enterprises), Valentine Lovekin & Effie MacDonald (Lovekin Law),
Jane Black (Newcastle Parade Committee), Councillor Marg
Zwart, Councillor Willie Woo, Doug Sirrs (Vatandoust Sirrs Team)
Carolyn Brooks (Newcastle Dentistry), Laura Knox (Municipality of
Clarington), Lina, Bill & Maddy Schmahl (Studio 37), Kevin Adams
(Old Newcastle House), Jim Norwood (Newcastle & District
Chamber), Heidi & Katie Fairweather (Align Aesthetics), Helen &
Masood Vatandoust
Regrets: Krista Klawitter (Family Chiropractic), Zoltan Nagy
(Dominos Pizza), Sue Holder (Bookeeper) Alison Dee (Clarington
Library - Newcastle), Kirby Eady (Royal Service Real Estate), Bev
Sirrs (Vatandoust Sirrs Team), Rhonda Armour (CBOT), Jessica
Zachanowich (Spects Optical), Michelle Cook (Ignite Yoga)
Land Acknowledgement
1. Call to Order by the Chair – Valentine Lovekin Presidents
Remarks: When you think about the fires in Jasper, and other
news stories across the Country and Province, I realize
Newcastle is a great place to do business and how grateful we
are to be here. Thank you everyone for joining us this evening.
2. Approval of 2024 Minutes
Moved: Tracey Yates Seconded: Janeen Calder Carried
3. Approval of the Actions of the Board of Management
Moved: Kevin Adams Seconded: Masood Vatandoust Carried
4. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of the 2025 Budget
Our financials are in a satisfactory situation. After our events our
budget is only off by $757.00, very close to a perfect year. The
2025 levy of $40,000.00 remains the same as last year.
Approval of the 2025 Budget as presented
Moved by: Theresa Vanhaverbeke Seconded: Doug Sirrs
Carried
5. Report on Safety and Décor – Theresa Vanhaverbeke
Snow: The Municipality of Clarington will be clearing the sidewalk
snow again this year. Please remember to hire someone or clear
your own snow and ice as they won’t be doing the fine clearing
with their equipment.
Planters: Bloom Field Gardens provided the BIA with the 3
season planter rental program this year. For $50 BIA businesses
can have a beautiful planter delivered for the season and picked
up at the end of the season. We had many businesses
participate and they look amazing having coordinated planters
going down the street.
6. Report on Marketing & Social Media - Marni Lewis
Facebook overview January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Page Reach - 71,800 accounts (an increase of 65.4%)
Page visits - 6,500 (an decrease of 21.1%)
Page likes - 268 new likes
133 posts were posted in 2024
Most popular posts in 2024
Living in a small town Reel - posted Feb 22
Reached 24,226 people, 456 reactions, 56 comments, 22 shares,
4 saves
King Ave closed for Harvest festival - posted Nov 14
Reached 13,932 people, 12 reactions, 2 comments, 4 shares,
saves 1
Concerts in the Park lineup - posted June 4
Reached 13,299 people, 29 reactions, 2 comments, 18 shares, 6
saves
Audience
79.5% women
20.5% men
27.6% Newcastle
6.4% Bowmanville
19.2% Oshawa
Instagram overview January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
1589 followers in January 2024
1779 followers in December 2024 (increase of 190 followers)
179 posts in 2024
Most popular Posts in 2024
Living in a small town- posted Feb 22
- 2835 accounts reached, 249 interactions
Setting up the new Christmas tree - posted Nov 15
- 4128 views, 105 interactions
BIA Holiday events - posted Oct 21
- 3288 views, 106 interactions
Audience
77.5% women
22.4%men
30.9% Newcastle
17.6% Bowmanville
10.3% Oshawa
Balance in surrounding areas (Courtice, Whitby)
7. Report on Special Events
Community Hall Lighting - Janeen Calder
The lighting was held right before the start of the parade this year-
there were some negative comments about that. The tree did fall
down in a storm and was damaged. The committee will look into
purchasing a commercial grade tree that will be more stable.
Breakfast with Santa - Marni Lewis
The breakfast was a great day and 250 people attended. The new
Santa was a hit and the new entertainment was fun and had kids
up dancing. The Community Hall is booked for Sunday,
November 30th, 2025.
Santa Parade - Karen Bastas
The weather that night was great. The police estimate 50,000
people attended. The police can’t guarantee the auxiliary and
extra help. It was a great year, and committee, the sponsorships
from the community and local businesses was amazing.
Harvest Festival - Lina Schmahl
The event was well attended, the estimated numbers are 20,000+
people. The BIA businesses need to confirm if they are
participating - this is a great marketing opportunity for them. The
Oktoberfest event hosted by the Bowmanville Rotary Club that
evening was a great collab, and lots of fun.
Canada Day in Newcastle 2025 - Carolyn Brooks
Ann Harley has stepped down as Chair and Carolyn has offered
to organize a bigger Canada Day celebration/street festival in the
downtown core. There will be vendors, inflatables, a diversity
stage, cultural dances/performers, fireworks and a beer tent. She
would like to honour Ann with the bike parade and include a dog
parade as well.
A motion was brought forward to run the event through the BIA
Motioned by: Carolyn Brooks Seconded by: Tracey Yates
Carried
Motion to accept all reports as presented:
Moved by: Heidi Fairweather Seconded: Greg Lewis Carried
8. Officer’s of the BIA
President - Valentine Lovekin
Treasurer - Marni Lewis/Sue Holder - Bookkeeper
Secretary - Marni Lewis
Director - Janeen Calder
Director - Tracey Yates
Director - Lina Schmahl
9. Motion to Adjourn
Moved: Tracey Yates Seconded: Greg Lewis Carried