MuskokaONline.com News - #GOTLOCAL

Huntsville Council approved changes to the Unity Circle Project, in the February 24, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report, last December Council approved the concept for this community space at King Street and Dara Howell Way that supports “inclusivity, celebrates diverse communities, and educates visitors about important local and cultural values.” However, the design didn’t acknowledge accessibility.

Staff were directed to work with the Accessibility Advisory committee, in addition to Councillors Helena Renwick and Scott Morrison, and community groups Hope Arises, Muskoka Pride, and the Canadian Legion.

The layout of the design is a pie-shaped with four sections representing community members, including the 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous culture, veterans, and community diversity, which now includes a symbol representing disability.

Councillor, Dione Schumacher, said the addition “kind of reaches out and extends, and the idea that supporting each other was what kind of came out of the vision within that quadrant.”

Morrison expressed appreciation for the work that went into the design. He said, “I’m so proud of this project. I’m going to get called woke for it but I’m proud of that because woke is just giving a crap about vulnerable people. So, call me woke all you want.”

He added that there are a lot of vulnerable people that need support for their rights, especially during times where they aren’t receiving it in many parts of the world. “We felt it right here in our community the effect that can have on people,” he said.

Councillors emphasized that the project, including ongoing maintenance and repair costs, will be funded through community donations only, and won’t impact taxpayers.

Councillor, Cory Clarke, said he’s been against the project since the beginning because “it will increase vandalism in the area.”

Renwick said, “I will never not do something because of vandalism.”

Next steps will involve ongoing community fundraising for installation of the project.