Residents flood rain barrel sale By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP 3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 29, 2009 STOREWIDE SALE NOW ON! Georgetown appeared to host its own miniature version of Woodstock last Saturday -- no, not with psychedelic music nor positive vibes, but rather long lines of cars and maybe the odd hippie. But the town was definitely prepared if rain had come. A simple rain barrel sale held by Halton Region at the Halton Hills Civic Centre Saturday turned into a traffic jam-packed and slightly chaotic affair. It has left regional staff scrambling to be better prepared for similar sales to be held in Oakville and Burlington. Hundreds of residents flooded the event hours early with cars backing up Maple Avenue and Trafalgar Road. Some attendees ditched their cars to jump the queue by walking to the front of the line and golfers started driving on the shoulder to make their tee times at a golf course across the street from the town hall, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette told council's public works committee Wednesday. All available rain barrels sold out within a half hour, leaving hundreds of residents out of luck and flabbergasted regional staff scrambling to secure more rain barrels and possible new locations for sales in Burlington, as well as in Milton and Oakville over the next two weeks. The enormous success of the event was unexpected, according to regional staff. Staff had estimated a need for only 300 of the $45 cashonly rain barrels sold at the wholesale price, approximately half of what is charged at stores as only 100 had been sold at similar events in Halton Hills over the past two years combined. Only one barrel was sold to each household, with purchasers required to show proof of a Halton Region address. "People are very water conscious (in Halton Hills)," said regional chair Gary Carr, noting the groundwater-fed community has experienced water restrictions during previous summer droughts. The Region has now made some changes to the other Saturday sales (all from 8 a.m.-noon) in Halton, including: · In Oakville, the sale will be held on Saturday, June 13 at the Oakville Works Yard, 1140 South Service Rd. W. Visit www.halton.ca for more details. · In Burlington, there will now be 2,100 rain barrels available instead of the planned 900 for tomorrow's sale. To accommodate the seven tractor trailers full of the barrels though, the sales process will actually take place over two locations. The first 2,100 Halton residents arriving at the Gary Allan Adult Learning Centre, 3250 New St., will be provided with a rain barrel receipt and a map to Mapleview Centre, approximately six kilometres away, where they can redeem their receipt for a rain barrel. Residents cannot go directly to Mapleview however, because no receipts will be provided there to be fair to residents who might not be aware of the change of venue, said regional staff. · In Milton, the Region plans to bump up availability of rain barrels to either 1,200 or 1,500 from the planned 900 for its sale June 6 at the Halton Waste Management Site, 5400 Reg. Rd. 25. (which is also a pesticide drop off event). · In Halton Hills, the Region will host another sale as a make up to residents who didn't get a chance to buy a rain barrel last Saturday. The location still has to be determined. Visit Upscale Designer Decor At a Price You Can Live With HUGE SELECTION OF BAR STOOLS FROM $ 99 Made In Canada TV CABINETS FROM $ 599 Made in Canada FABRIC HEADBOARDS HEARING AID SPECIAL (Clients portion) *Some Conditions Apply * $ From 295 $ 389 Up to 3 Year Service Warranty HUNDREDS OF FABRIC TO CHOOSE FROM 60 DAY GUARANTEE: If after 60 days we have not provided you with the best hearing possible, we will give you your money back... PREMIUM OUTDOOR FURNITURE Now In No Questions Asked! Call Made In Canada 905-827-7333 For a FREE Hearing Test. Age 18+ 14 STYLES OF SECTIONALS TO CHOOSE FROM HOLLY SECTIONAL $ 1798 Hopedale Hearing Clinic In Hopedale Mall, next to the CIBC 1515 Rebecca Street, Unit 38, Oakville · 905-827-7333 1029 Speers Rd.,Oakville 905.842.3739 Speers Rd. & 4th Line (Main Location) WWW.JOSHUACREEKFURNITURE.COM