BlackburnNews.com (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)BlackburnNews.com (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Sarnia

Pandemic uncertainty scuttles plans for Children's Safety Village

A long-planned children’s safety village in Sarnia-Lambton is no more.

In an email to BlackburnNews.com, Safety Village Committee Chair Mary Ann Buntrock confirmed that due to several concerns, the group feels it will be impossible to continue with the project.

Buntrock said it only makes sense to step away now.

"With the issues of the virus there are several areas of concern for us - such as social distancing, will there be school day trips, busing issues, what will our education system look like. Then what about fundraising - we feel that in the new world priorities will change. The unknown is just too much for us to guess at and go further as these issues will make it impossible for us to survive."

Lambton Children Safety Village Committee Chair Mary Ann Buntrock. February 6, 2019 Photo by Melanie Irwin Lambton Children Safety Village Committee Chair Mary Ann Buntrock.

Buntrock said that donations that were promised or in kind will be forgiven, and the group is now seeking legal assistance to deal with the Canada Revenue Agency regulations.

The project, estimated to cost $750,000, was to focus on farm, bike, fire, drug and internet safety training for children.

Read More Local Stories

New military crosswalk rendering. (Image courtesy of the Sarnia Legion Branch 62)

New military crosswalk in Sarnia to be unveiled

As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.

Members of the Sarnia Police Service entering a Tashmoo Avenue residence on June 4, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service)

Two men arrested in Tashmoo Ave. standoff

Sarnia police said the investigation began on May 29 after the victim was allegedly attacked by acquaintances at a residence near Tashmoo Avenue and Christopher Drive at Aamjiwnaang First Nation.