www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday March 10, 2007 - 3 She wants Bronte to thrive By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF As Oakville native and Burlington resident Pat O'Reilly assumes the helm of the Bronte BIA (Business Improvement Area), she's ready to navigate into the future, ever mindful of the past and present. Even O'Reilly, the BIA's new executive director, admits it can be a tough course at times, but it is one she believes will breathe renewed life into the Village of Bronte. Change is coming to Bronte, but it can bring good things for everyone and it doesn't have to occur at the expense of the past, says O'Reilly. For just over a month now, O'Reilly, who was born at OakvilleTrafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), attended elementary school tucked away in the west end and then high school at Oakville Trafalgar High School, has been at work studying Bronte. The reports, the plans, the background and the proposed development (there are nine developments on the books for the stretch of Lakeshore Road between Coronation Park near Third Line and Mississaga Street, just west of the Bronte Bridge). The woman with the clear blue eyes and auburn hair that hint at her Irish heritage -- if her name doesn't give it away -- has also been getting to know the Bronte BIA's new management board (it changes with each municipal election), 200 member businesses and other community stakeholders and partners. "This office has been located here for five or six years, but we're putting a new face on it, I guess, just like we're doing in the community," said O'Reilly of the Bronte BIA small, but quaint offices at 100 Bronte Rd., Unit 2. O'Reilly came to the Bronte BIA saying it was time for a change from her role as director of Burlington's Sound of Music Festival. O'Reilly had also been involved LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SAILING INTO THE FUTURE: Oakville native Pat O'Reilly has lots of ideas and lots of experience to steer the Bronte Village BIA (Business Improvement Area) into the future -- a future she predicts will be bright and buoyed by the changes afoot. in Burlington's waterfront develtuned in to local culture. "It's important to celebrate opment, served as chair and board O'Reilly graduated from the and incorporate the old. member of Tourism Burlington University of Guelph with a specialand was among a group of busity bachelor of commerce diploma It definitely sets the ness leaders that included that focused on hotel and restaugroundwork for the future. Tourism Burlington, the chamber rant administration.Not long afterIt's what makes you unique of commerce, the BIAs and the wards, she found herself operating and special, your roots." city's economic development arm. her own restaurant in Toronto. Born and raised in Oakville, Upon having her four sons -- Bronte BIA executive director O'Reilly said she recalls as a youth Lauren, Jason, Patrick and Pat O'Reilly her family always travelled Matthew, who range in age from Lakeshore Road to visit family in 22 to 14 -- O'Reilly gradually Hamilton. shifted into public relations and Pat, have lived nine years. "My father liked all the quaintcommunity events in hospital and Pat and Pat?, O'Reilly is asked. ness, the old homes and trees. "We've always had fun with university environments. We'd always stop for an ice cream that," she smiles, noting that while So while she's been involved cone and a visit in Bronte," said she lives in north Burlington, her with Burlington's development of O'Reilly. work always focused on downtown its waterfront, she has also engi"I've seen Bronte change," said Burlington so she is well aware of neered special events steeped in O'Reilly, who gave birth to her "the Great Divide," otherwise history and tradition -- Toronto's first two sons in Oakville and her known as the QEW. Riverdale Hospital's 140th second two sons in Burlington The comment itself indicates anniversary, the University of where she and her husband, (also) she has a certain perspective that's Toronto law school's 50th anniver- sary and the 25th anniversary of the Sound of Music Festival. "It's important to celebrate and incorporate the old. It definitely sets the groundwork for the future," she said, adding, "It's what makes you unique and special, your roots." "The way I see my role with the BIA is that it's all about community development, working with the various stakeholders and partners to make this a nice place to live and do business," said O'Reilly. Not that it isn't, it's just that there's always room to be better. Bronte has changed over the years. Historically it was a fishing village, home to the stonehooking trade. Then it was something of a summer cottage stop. It has in the last few decades, been working diligently at getting away from the "gasoline alley" drive-through atmosphere it took on in the mid-1900s. "Bronte has been, in large part, a drive-through community. Passersby do not have an opportunity to appreciate what this unique harbourside community has to offer, small-town specialty shops with big-city health and professional services, wonderful dining options, shopping, and exciting events. "All this, together with a spectacular waterfront, a wealth of marine heritage and historical charm, it is no wonder that Bronte is becoming one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Oakville," said O'Reilly. "The Bronte Village BIA is working with the various stakeholders and partners to build on, and project this neighbourhood feel to the passersby so that they stop, and experience all that Bronte has to offer," said O'Reilly. New, but tasteful town home enclaves have replaced small cottages and live-work units with store-front businesses are giving the village a new face. Bronte has added main street flower pots and specialty street lighting; it has made the most of See Changing page 4 PREPARE FOR THE ROAD AHEAD. Next course: March 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. March 27th, Tues. & Thurs. (4 weeks) 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. www.youngdrivers.com 905.845.7200 MTO APPROVED BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE PROVIDER