Acton arena room renamed in honour of longtime Halton Hills mayor

A former Halton Hills mayor for nearly two decades was honoured last night when the Acton Arena Community Hall was officially renamed.

The Rick Bonnette Community Hall earned its new moniker after a unanimous decision by council.

Rick Bonnette was first elected to Acton council when he was in his 20s. He then served as regional councillor for 18 years and mayor for 19 years.

During his tenure in public office, Bonnette championed local issues, from sustainability and green development to protecting the Georgetown Hospital and limiting 400-series highway expansions through the community.

He received Ontario’s Long-Standing Service Award in 2008 and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

In 2018, Bonnette gained international exposure in a bid to counter sentiments around United States actions that would see tariffs applied to Canadian goods. Bonnette put forward a Council resolution that sought to “take proactive action to support and protect Canadian interests,” becoming synonymous with the ‘buy Canadian’ campaign.

Bonnette chose not to stand for re-election in 2022.

“I have known Rick for more than 20 years and worked on Council with him for more than a decade,” said Mayor Ann Lawlor.

“He has been a passionate and progressive leader, a champion for business and an advocate for community organizations. I am delighted we could perpetually honour his contributions to the Town with a room renaming. Of course, the room had to be one that is prominent in the Acton Arena.”

The room renaming falls under the Town’s Facility Recognition Program that provides the opportunity to celebrate and recognize significant contributions from individuals, corporations, businesses, or groups by naming rooms within Town facilities.