Newmarket's new 'living room' pays tribute to retired mayor Tony Van Bynen

Art installation fitting to mayor who referred to downtown as Newmarket's 'living room'

Yorkregion.com
December 5, 2018
Teresa Latchford

It won’t have surround sound or a flat-screen television but Newmarket’s downtown is getting its very own living room.

The proposed living room is the town’s tribute to former mayor Tony Van Bynen who committed himself to meeting residents for a chat, coining the term Mayor in the Square and who often referred to Newmarket’s downtown core as the town’s living room.

The artist renderings show a concrete sofa, two chairs, round table with a bronzed plaque and a coat rack with a bronzed black leather Beatles-style hat like the one Van Bynen so often wears. Two bronzed cellphones and a joke book will also be included in the art installation. All is to be installed in Riverwalk Commons near Water Street.

“It is the perfect place as Riverwalk (Commons) is the conversation and gathering place in town,” Van Bynen said. “It is a unique approach to a tribute and I have to say I was quite surprised and honoured when they announced.”

The announcement was made during a sold-out tribute event at Old Town Hall on Botsford Street in Newmarket. Councillors who served alongside Van Bynen, members of the business community, local organizations and the general public attended to wish him all the best as he steps aside from politics and journey’s down a new path.

David McLennan, Ian Proudfoot and Jackie Playter had kind words noting Van Bynen's 12 years as mayor and his many accomplishments including the revitalization of Main Street, creation of Riverwalk Commons and support for arts and culture in the community.

A 10-minute play written by 10-minute play festival founder Michael Halfin hit the nail on the head and was “out of this world,” according to Van Bynen.

But while Van Bynen has hung up the chain of office, he won’t be a stranger as he has already volunteered to be the chair of the philanthropy cabinet with the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation and he is being considered to be a member of the board of directors for Envy, the town’s high-speed broadband service.

He will also be working alongside his daughters, Christine Glenn and Michelle Nye, to get the York Region Oasis Bereavement Centre moving forward.

“It’s enough to keep me busy and to continue to help the community,” he said.