By Chad Ingram

The Township of Algonquin Highlandswill not be participating in Doors Open 2016.

Council made that decision at its Nov.5 meeting.

In recent weeks councillors have beenmulling whether to take part in the event.

Doors Open Ontario is a festival thatinvites people into unique and interesting spaces often unseen by thepublic. Since 2009 the four lower-tier townships of HaliburtonCounty have been alternating hosting the event.

It took place in Highlands East thisSeptember.

Algonquin Highlands hosted Doors Openin 2012 and while it was successful councillors have reiterated thathosting the event was a lot of work.

“I really think that the event itselfwas really worthwhile” said Deputy-reeve Liz Danielsen addingthat while she was willing to help out she was not as willing totake an organizing committee role.

Councillors each already sit on various committees of council.

Last time around councilrepresentatives on the committee were Lisa Barry and Gord Hendersonthe latter of whom is not on council this term.

Barry wondered if Doors Open might be aproject for township's new cultural committee but council felt thatDoors Open's April deadline – for site locations accompanyingeditorial photos and the production of a map – may be too soon fora committee that has not yet met.

Barry emphasized that in 2012 much ofthe work was done by Haliburton County tourism department employeeswho are no longer with the county. The mandate of the county'stourism department has since changed focusing largely on marketing.

Reeve Carol Moffatt said that there waslittle interest on behalf of residents to open up their homes – shenoted there are some very unique properties in the township – andBarry said she thought the township had already extinguished its “Alist” during the 2012 event.

Stops on the tour included St. Peter'sSt. Stephen's and Knox United churches the Bigwin steamboat andStouffer Mill B&B among others.