Dear HNHBA Members,
I hope this message finds you well. As we step into May, I am honored to reintroduce myself as Ike Keesmaat, the newly elected President of the Haldimand Norfolk Home Builders Association (HNHBA). For those who may not know me yet, I am a local builder and developer from Haldimand.
First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for the warm welcome I've received into my new role. It's truly humbling, and I am eager to connect with each of you and engage in positive, open conversations. Your insights and feedback are invaluable, so please never hesitate to reach out with any thoughts, concerns, or ideas you wish to share.
In my inaugural week as president, I had the privilege of participating in a roundtable discussion on Development and Housing, hosted by Mayor Amy Martin. One of the primary topics of conversation was the pressing need for affordable housing. With over 400 individuals on a waitlist for affordable housing, it's evident that concerted efforts are required to address this issue.
At HNHBA, we are committed to fostering a culture of communication and collaboration. We firmly believe that by working together, we can overcome challenges and create a conducive environment for development to thrive in Haldimand and Norfolk. Your input and involvement are crucial in this endeavour, and we welcome discussions on how we can collectively enhance our processes and drive positive change.
I am thrilled to announce that our association has now grown to 48 members and continues to expand each day. I am excited about the prospects that lie ahead. Together, we can make this year a truly remarkable one for HNHBA and the broader community we serve.
Warm regards,
Ike Keesmaat
The HNHBA is pleased to offer a Student Award/Achievement Program entitled, "Tools for Education." The original purpose of this program was to provide money for shops at local high schools. Through this "Tools for Education" program, the HNHBA donated a sum of $6,400 in early 2002 as well as $8,000 in the fall of 2002 to local high schools in an attempt to raise awareness about the shortage of skilled labour in the Ontario home building industry. Recipients of these donations included the construction technology classes at Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Valley Heights, Dunnville, McKinnon Park, Cayuga, and Hagersville Secondary Schools as well as Port Dover and Simcoe Composite Schools.
Bursaries are now presented in the amount of $500 to students who show interest and promise within the field of trades. Presentations are also made of higher bursaries, based on accomplishment. In 2003, Walter Ottiger was awarded a sum of $1,000 after winning gold at both the Provincial and National levels of the "Skills Canada" Competition in Woodworking. The HNHBA plans to return to its original purpose in the near future by donating further sums of money to support technology programs in local high schools.
In 2006, Fanshawe College began a log cabin project which ended tragically when a student was hit and killed by a falling tree. The HNHBA completed this project in memoriam of the young man, Jason Boterberg, in collaboration with Rob Verry, a log home builder who was conducting this project with the students in an attempt to build the log cabin traditionally. The cabin was then donated to Norfolk County to be used as a tourist information booth in Wellington Park.
Celebrating over 50 years of lights, the Simcoe Christmas Panorama is a renowned local holiday attraction. The over 60 displays in the Panorama were created by volunteers like the HNHBA. The Builder's Association constructed a "Penguin House" as part of this community program, contributing to the bright array of lights that attract many generations of visitors.
