A proposal for an ice-cream truck at the Huronia Museum in Midland has garnered mixed reactions from town councillors, with concerns raised by local business owners over potential competition. The ice-cream truck, which would operate in the parking lot at Little Lake Park, has been approved for the 2025 tourist season after a majority of council members voted in favor during a recent meeting.
The initiative, pitched by Nahanni Born, executive director of the Huronia Museum, is a partnership with local resident Margaret Hamelin. The vehicle, tentatively named “That Ice Cream Place,” aims to attract visitors to the museum and park while offering employment opportunities. Born emphasized the potential for educational benefits, suggesting that themed ice cream treats named after items in the museum’s collection could encourage visitors to explore the exhibits.
“One idea is a ‘Group of Seven’ ice cream cone or a ‘Turtle Island’ ice cream sandwich,” Born explained. “We’ve even considered pup cups for dogs visiting the nearby dog park.”
The ice-cream truck would operate under the refreshment vehicle designation, requiring approval from the council as the vehicle would be stationed on municipally-owned land. Born noted that discussions with municipal departments, including planning, bylaw, and engineering, had been ongoing since last October to ensure the proposal met all necessary requirements.
However, the proposal faced opposition from several members of council who are also local business owners. Concerns were raised about the truck’s proximity to the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre and Little Lake Park Fries, a nearby restaurant.
Coun. Sheldon East expressed strong opposition, citing concerns raised by Little Lake Park Fries, which argued the truck could threaten its business. He apologized for his stance, noting that he would be voting against the proposal. Other councillors, including Coun. Bill Meridis and Jaz Patel, shared similar concerns, questioning the fairness of placing competing businesses so close to one another on municipal property.
In response, Hamelin defended the proposal, pointing to examples of successful restaurant districts where businesses coexist. Coun. Jamie-Lee Ball also argued that, as a parent, she preferred convenience when visiting the park and would appreciate a nearby service like the proposed ice cream truck.
Mayor Bill Gordon, who has experience as a business owner, compared the situation to his own time at the Mountainview Mall, where he faced competition from larger retailers like Staples. “You can’t compete, but you have to, and that’s just the way life is,” Gordon remarked. “In this case, we’re just landlords.”
Born concluded by noting that no concerns about the ice-cream truck had been raised during the many months of discussions leading up to the meeting.
After a motion was read to approve the ice-cream truck’s operating license on an annual basis, the majority of councillors voted in favor, allowing the proposal to move forward. The ice-cream truck will operate in the Huronia Museum parking lot starting in the 2025 tourist season.
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