HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-15Newcastle Downtown Business Improvement Association 2026
Annual General Meeting
January 15th, 2026 6:00pm at The Newcastle Griddle
In attendance: Marni Lewis, Greg Lewis (Desjardins Insurance),
Theresa Vanhaverbeke (Syvan Developments Limited), Karen
and Gus Bastas (Newcastle Parade Committee), Pat Dowling
(Newcastle Parade Committee), Mayor Adrian Foster, Janeen
Calder, Darryl Rowsell (Newcastle Massage Therapy), Tracey
Yates, Roger Yates (Lang Enterprises), Valentine Lovekin
(Lovekin Law), Councillor Marg Zwart, Councillor Willie Woo,
Doug & Bev Sirrs (Vatandoust Sirrs Team), Carolyn Brooks
(Newcastle Dentistry), Glen MacFarlane (Municipality of
Clarington), Alison Dee (Clarington Library - Newcastle), Helen &
Masood Vatandoust, Councillor Marg Zwart
Regrets: Bonnie Wrightman (CBOT), Krista Klawitter (Family
Chiropractic), Jane Black (Newcastle Parade Committee), Lina,
Bill & Maddy Schmahl (Studio 37), Jim Norwood (Newcastle &
District Chamber), Heidi & Katie Fairweather (Align Aesthetics)
Kirby Eady (Royal Service Real Estate), Alyssa Crittendon
(CBOT)
Land Acknowledgement
1.Call to Order by the Chair – Valentine Lovekin Presidents
Remarks: It is a beautiful winter day today. Clarington
received 25cm of snow! With the death tolls in Iran rising,
conflicts with the US President continue daily, we realize lots
of people want to live here. Let’s show them the BIA and all
the opportunities there are for the businesses.
2.Thank you to Karan and his staff at the Newcastle Griddle for
hosting us and providing an amazing dinner.
3.Approval of 2025 Minutes
Moved: Janeen Calder Seconded: Karen Bastas Carried
4.Approval of the Actions of the Board of Management
Moved: Bev Sirrs Seconded: Theresa Vanhaverbeke
Carried
5.Treasurer’s Report and Approval of the 2026 Budget
Good news -
•Our financials show steady, conservative spending.
•We have $42,348.00 in the bank
•The 2026 levy of $40,000.00 remains the same as last year.
Approval of the 2026 Budget as presented
Moved by: Doug Sirrs Seconded: Theresa Vanhaverbeke
Carried
6. 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 will be providing our hanging
flower baskets, and the planters at King/Beaver and King/Mill St.
Banners: We will use our banners for 1 more year and after the
2027 street scape project will be get new ones for 2028.
7. Report on Marketing & Social Media - Marni Lewis
Facebook overview January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Page views - 205,000 accounts (an increase from 71,800)
Page engagement - 6,700 (an increase from 6,500)
Page likes - 245 new likes
101 posts were posted in 2025
Most popular posts in 2025
A video of a snowy day in February after a BIA meeting, “Stay
safe out there” 77,351 views, 1304 engagement
Instagram overview January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Followers 249 new
Reach - 16,737 accounts
Engagement - 1912
Views - 70,130
103 posts in 2025
Most popular Posts in 2025
A video of a snowy day in February after a BIA meeting “Stay safe
out there”
8. Report on Special Events
Community Hall Lighting - Janeen Calder
The Hall board installed permanent lighting on the Hall this year.
The commercial Christmas tree held up in the winter weather
great. The lighting before the parade works well for the
community to take part in seeing it. Thank you to our volunteer
Darryl for being on call for all tree issues and always getting them
fixed.
Breakfast with Santa - Marni Lewis
The breakfast was a great day, approx. 255-300 people attended.
We had the girls from U15 Darlington Soccer Club set up a bake
sale, which was a huge hit. Rick and Terri had the kids up
dancing. Pictures with Santa were provided by Lauren Amelia
photography. Thank you to our volunteers from the Newcastle
Stars, Old Newcastle House, Royal Services, Desjardins
Insurance. The Community Hall is booked for Sunday, November
29th, 2026.
Santa Parade - Karen Bastas
The weather that night was great. The community sponsorships
are wonderful. The Santa float gets bigger and better every year.
We need more volunteers to help sell buttons the night of the
parade and sell them in the BIA businesses. The button sales
help us fundraise.
Harvest Festival - Lina Schmahl
The event was well attended, it was a very successful day for a
record number of vendors, the weather cooperated. There are
concerns for future events and new added costs to Municipal
supplies we would use (picnic tables, garbage cans). Is there
anything that can be done to wave these fees as the BIAs fall
under the Municipality umbrella? Their door is always open, reach
out to have a conversation.
Canada Day in Newcastle - Carolyn Brooks
It was a great first event, with a record number of people
attending. The weather was hot. Lots of community involvement
from the Newcastle Public School choir, and cultural events. BIA
business were all busy that day. They have their first meeting next
week to start planning for 2026. They are looking at holding it on
the weekend before Canada Day. They have applied for a
Heritage grant but don’t hear back until April, so they may have to
scale back some of the activities.
Motion to accept all reports as presented:
Moved by: Marni Lewis Seconded: Tracey Yates Carried
9. 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
10. Motion to Adjourn
Moved: Masood Vatandoust Seconded: Tracey Yates Carried