Farmers' Market vendors want a new home

The ten-year agreement that allows the Algoma Farmers' Market to operate at Roberta Bondar Park expired at the end of last month.

And market vendors have served notice that they don't want to spend the next ten years in the same locatrion.

They've told the City they want to move to the site of the new Sault Ste. Marie Sports and Entertainment Centre, to be built adjacent to Memorial Gardens.

So they want a three-year agreement that will let them stay where they are until they relocate to the market location in 2007.

"It is anticipated that that parking will not be affected as the market operates Wednesday and Saturday mornings from mid-June to early October," says Lori Ballstadt, assistant manager of the City's recreation and culture division.

Meanwhile, Ballstadt has advised City Council that the vinyl fabric that covers the Farmers' Market tent structure is well past its five-to-seven year expected lifespan.

The tent is jointly owned by the City and the Farmers; Market Association, and City Council will be asked tonight to pony up $16,000 as its share of the cost of replacing the fabric.