Papa V’s Pizza and Wings raises funds for new park in Walkerton, Ont.

Walkerton, Ont. – Walkerton, Ont.’s newest pizza place, Papa V’s Pizza and Wings, donated half of the proceeds from its Sept. 1 and 2 customer appreciation event to the town’s new Market Garden.

A fundraising campaign is underway to turn the downtown Walkerton park into a showplace that will celebrate the town’s history, provide space for entertainment and special events, and in general create a welcoming atmosphere downtown.

The fundraising goal is $100,000, said Mark Coleman, Brockton’s director of community services, and it’s well on the way to reaching the goal, especially with support like that from Papa V’s.

“This is great for Brockton,” said Mayor Chris Peabody, in presenting the owner of the restaurant, Andy Vivian, with a plaque from the municipality to congratulate the new business and thank it for its support.

“The park is good for everyone downtown,” Vivian said. “It’s a busy street.”

He said he’s looking forward to it getting even busier, with the return of students to classes this week.

Investing in the community is nothing new to Vivian.

“We did the same thing in Meaford, for the hospital,” he said. He’s a member of the Stratford Rotary Club, an organization that’s always raising funds.

Pauline Kerr is Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Walkerton Herald Times.