As the New Glasgow Farmers Market celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, market manager Kristi Russell announced an exciting project for the future – a new wooden structure to replace the dome currently used seasonally at the market.
The problem with the tent-like dome that was constructed in the early years of the market is that it isn’t insulated and doesn’t have a heat source so it has to be closed during the winter months.
A building was created a few years ago thanks to grant money now used year-round for the market, but it is not large enough to accommodate all the vendors who would like to set up and in the winter the market is limited to about 35 vendors.
The limited space is particularly hard for food vendors who would like to have a place for customers to sit. Currently, Russell said they’ve been forced to either limit the number of vendors and have seating or have no seating and more vendors.
With the new structure they could do both.
Initially, management had considered insulating the existing dome and adding a heat source, but realized a better long-term solution was to build a new structure.
Russell said they still have to come up with a design, but what they’re aiming to do is build a barn-like structure on top of the concrete pad that currently exists under the dome. They hope to use the existing plumbing and electrical so that essentially all they have to do is build the walls and a roof with the inside staying the same.
The existing dome is owned by the Town of New Glasgow and would be given back to the town to be used somewhere else if possible.
There isn’t enough time to raise the money and build the structure this season and no set timeline has been made.
Russell said the next steps will be to come up with a design and cost estimate and then begin applying for grants and seeking corporate sponsorship for the project. They will also be turning to the public for help meeting their goal.
“It’s a grassroots-level project,” she said.
The success of the farmers market to date has been driven by the community who enjoy shopping and selling there and she believes it will be the community that makes this project a success as well.
A Go Fund Me Page has been set up (www.gofundme.com/raisethebarnngfm) and various fundraising events will be held to support the project. Donation boxes will also be set up in both buildings where people can drop in cash donations. Proceeds from 50/50 draws will also go toward the barn.
Russell hopes the creation of the new building will result in an increased opportunity for vendors and more local products to offer residents.
The farmers market now has between 75 and 80 registered vendors and last year they had upwards of 1,700 some days at the market during peak season.
Some of those people come first thing in the morning and stay the entire time because they enjoy the atmosphere so much, Russell said.
Money has already been allocated to purchase propane heaters for the market. Those will be installed in the dome this year and will be there for use in the future building as well.
