The Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market will be open for business every Saturday at 79 Derby Avenue from May through October 2022.

At its last regular council meeting on May 12, Champlain Township council agreed to lease the premises as an outdoor venue to the market at no cost to the market. The municipality will also provide portable washrooms and a hand-washing station on-site for the duration of the lease agreement, also at no cost to the market. The cost to the township for these items is estimated at $2,650.

The market vendors have been selling their wares outdoors at 79 Derby Avenue since 2020. Recently, the former day care building on the property was demolished by the township and the market moved to the Vankleek Hill Community Centre during the winter months. In a report to council, the market expressed its desire to be considered in the future planning and development of recently-acquired vacant land, which can be accessed via Derby Avenue.

The market has been looking for a permanent home for a few years now. It had been operating inside Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute during the winter months and set up outside in the school parking lot during the spring, summer and fall months, but the Upper Canada District School Board shut down all community use during the pandemic, forcing the market to look for another location. It was able to operate at the former day care location at 79 Derby Avenue since 2020.

The Vankleek Hill Farmers’ Market is one of Ontario’s few year-round markets. The market is open for business every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Champlain Day Care services are now located at premises at École élémentaire catholique Saint-Gregoire on Home Avenue in Vankleek Hill. Construction of a new 30-unit apartment building for seniors will be taking place on an adjacent property within the next 24 months under the management of the not-for-profit  Vankleek Senior Citizens Manor organization. Champlain Township sold one third of the former Champlain Day Care property to the not-for-profit Van Kleek Senior Citizens Manor Corporation for one dollar to accommodate the construction of the new housing for seniors.

The Review previously reported that the project’s completion date was April 2023.