HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-09-21, Page 13+. .01•112.131."1.•
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 13
Huron Woods celebrate newly renovated clubhouse
The Huron Woods Community gathered on
Friday evening in their newly renovated club-
house to celebrate its official re -opening. It
(0111,as truly a celebration of conununity collab-
ration and effort.
Conception for the project began in 2009
when Fred Pinarello was president. At that
time the Huron Woods Community Associa-
tion (HWCA) Board discussed the need for an
expansion to the clubhouse to meet the needs
of the growing community.
When Fred learned of his terminal illness
in 2008, he and his family decided to pledge a
substantial amount to the project. Fred
wanted to give back to the community that
had helped hint throughout his illness. After
Fred's passing, a fund was also set up in his
memory to continue to build financial sup-
port for the clubhouse expansion.
Doug Bonesteel took over as president in
2009 and was presented with the clubhouse
expansion as a major item on the HWCA
agenda. With Doug's infectious enthusiasm,
it wasn't difficult to get the community to
support the project and the Board received
approval to go ahead with the expansion.
When speaking of the initial planning
stages, Doug explained "The membership
was definitely in support of this project, hut
wanted to make sure that financially we kept
things reasonable. As the plans developed it
was apparent that the project could easily go
over budget?'
So the board turned to the residents, and
with a leap of faith asked if they would con-
tinue to contribute financially out of their own
pockets to ensure that the project would not
just be an expansion, but a community -gath-
ering place with all the trimmings that would
make it a true reflection of the I luron Woods
Crystal Maclay
Special to the Lakeshore Advance
Michael Vanheval provided
musical entertainment.
Metal artist from Sarnia,
Bill Clawson, was
commissioned to create
a recognition tree to
acknowledge the vitality
and generosity of each
community member.
community.
When Fred's wife, Lily Pinarello, took over as
president in November 2010, she sent out an
appeal to the membership and soon the
pledges started to roll in. Not only financial
contributions, but volunteers who donated
their time to packing, painting, installing cabi-
nets, and building mantles. The community
members also donated a fireplace, foosball
table, pool table, and artwork. In total $45,000
in contributions was received, plus numerous
volunteer hours.
"It really was the contribution of the entire
community that made this happen," said Lily
Pinarello. "The extra donations transformed
the clubhouse into a space that will be the heart
of this conununity for years to come:'
Mayor Bill Weber who is also resident of
['mon Woods acknowledged that none of this
would have been possible without the commu-
nity support. On behalf of the Municipality of
1.ambton Shores, he congratulated the I furon
Woods Community Association on a
the collaborative effort that resulted in a
beautiful finished product. The clubhouse will
attest to the vitality and generosity of this com-
munity for generations to come.
In honour of that community effort, metal
artist from Sarnia, 13111 Clawson, was commis-
sioned to create a recognition tree to acknowl-
edge the vitality and generosity of each com-
munity member. Hundreds of metal leaves
represent the numerous volunteer hours that
went into the project, while distinctively col-
oured leaves recognize financial
contributions.
The Title inscription reads " Dream it, Think
it, Do it."
On Friday evening the clubhouse was filled
to capacity in celebration of a dream come true.
Local crooner, Michael Vanheval provided
musical entertainment. What began as a formal
tribute to the re -opening of the clubhouse with
all of the necessary accolades, soon turned into
a celebration party with dancing and lots of
laughter. Like so many other events in Grand
Bend, this is good news story where collabora-
tion produced positive results.
ed
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