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Times Advocate, 1995-06-21, Page 15Costiof recreation rising The "little things" contrib- ute to the rising cost of maintaining Rec Centre Chris Skalkos T -A staff EXETER - "Sometimes its the little things that count the riost." Recreation Director, Lynne Farquhar and the South Huron Recreation and Community Centre Board members know how true this statement can be. During a regular meeting last Thursday, the facil- ities committee discussed the "little things" that are adding up contributing to the Rec Centre's biggest problem. The cost of maintaining the facilities. From a leaking roof, to outdated washroom dis- pensers or a broken down lawn mower, the Rec Centre has been plagued with costly problems that are raising their expenses at a time when funding is harder to come by. "Money is a key factor around here, were trying to do more with less," said Farquhar. Heat, hydro and staff wages are the biggest ex- penses the Rec Centre is faced with and what the public is most aware of. But Farquhar said the ex- penses that hardly get noticed are the ones that pose the biggest challenge in running the facility. Repairing the photocopier could cost up to $1,800 and purchasing a new one would be even more. The transmission on the lawn mower needed to be repaired, and replacing the old dispensers in the women's bathroom could cost up to $500. Above that, the roof on the building needs major repairs that cost too much for them to fix all at once. Farquhar is concerned because if Town coun- cillors cut back the Rec Centre's funding anymore, the best that can be afforded for the facility is tem- porary "patch -and -go" maintenance that will catch up eventually. As a result, the centre is forced to hike up rates for space rentals and the various programs that are run out of the building. "The general public thinks we make up the prices and can't understand why we charge so much," said Farquhar. "People think we charge outrageous pric- es, we really don't...they don't take the other ex- penses into consideration. Our goal is to charge enough in order to break even," she said. The Rec Centre has been seeking alternative ways to raise funds such as the successful Sunny Knight comedy show which brought in $2,300. The pro- ceeds will go toward the new Nabisco Ball Di- amond. The Lion's Club also donated $7,000 toward the diamond and the Oddfellows group pitched in with a $200 donation. However, the Rec Centre can't always rely on fund raisers and the generosity of community groups to offset the cost of maintaining a facility of that size. In the end it will be the user public that will be af- fected as they will soon have to judge if recreation is still something they can afford. "Recreation should be available for everybody but it's getting to the point where it's getting too ex- pensive for everyone to participate," said Farquhar. Local hockey player drafted Denver England was picked by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds during the OHL Jr A draft. LUCAN - Denver England from Lucan has just reached a pinnacle in his hockey career. England was drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on June 10 giving the seventeen year goalie old a stab at playing OHL hockey this season. But don't expect England to take a slap on the back for his success, because he's too busy crediting his parents and the people who have coached him along the way. England was drafted in the 11th round by Sault Ste Marie at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto during the 1995 OHL Junior A hockey draft meet. He was the Greyhounds seventh pick and will be leaving near the end of August for training camp. England started off playing minor hockey in Lucan when he was five and he was playing "AAA" midget hockey in Elgin Middlesex two years ago. Last year he played Jr. "B" hockey with the Owen Sound Greys before being sent to Walker- ton where he finished the year play- ing Jr. "C" hockey with the Black - hawks. Along the way England played for some good coaches who worked hard on improving his goal- tending while exposing him to scouts and other contacts that would eventually recognize his tal- ent as being Jr. "A" material. With a 4.91 goals against average in Jr. "B" and a 3.47 GPA in Jr. "C" Eng- land has a total save percenatge of .878 which helped gain the atten- tion of arca hockey scouts. But England points to his coaches when talking about his career. Ontario summer hockey coaches Bill Elliot, John Antonopoulos and Todd Cox have at one time or an- other influenced England's destiny, but England won't forget the help he received from Owen Sound coach Brian O'Leary. "He was a big help, especially with my goaltending. He talked to a lot of scouts about me and I always turned to him for advice when I was away from my parents," said England. With the help of O'Leary, Eng- land got a lot of exposure to OHL scouts and it didn't take long before he got their attention. England was put on the central scouting list mak- ing him eligible for the draft and a couple of weeks before he was scheduled to go to Toronto, Eng- land received a phone call from Greyhound officials who said they were interested in drafting him. Oakwood hosts mixed tournament for charity GRAND BEND - Members of the Oakwood Inn Golf Club of Grand Bend are sponsoring the sec- ond annual Oakwood Mixed Invita- tional Golf Tournament on June 22. Last year 142 golfers participated in the event which raised $5,400 for Community Living South Hu- ron (ARC Industries) serving indi- viduals with developmental chal- lenges. The gntry fee of $50.00 for each couple includes a day of golfing, a gourmet buffet and prizes. Bantam girls softball team beats Varna EXETER - The Exeter Bantam Girls Softball team defeated Varna 20-14 on Tuesday. Exeter came out hitting in the first two innings and built a lead that Varna couldn't overcome. The Exeter pitchers kept the visiting team off balance with Jessica Phil- lips and Lisa Hodge recording strikeouts. Batting well for Exeter were Jen- nifer Grenier, Lisa Hodge, Dawn De Jong, Michelle Willis and Cath- leen Chappel. Last Thursday the Bantam, girls travelled to Zurich were they lost 15-8. • PROMECHANICAL TRUCK AND FARM REPAIRS • SAFETY INSPECTION STATION • 3 MECHANICS ON DUTY • DIESEL ENGINE REBUILDING 88 Main St. R.R. 3, Lucan, Ont. NOM 2.10 Ph: (519) 227.0077 Fax: (519) 227-4179 Pate Van Galeuken Owner f Even though England knew he would be picked at the draft he still remained riveted to his seat for over six hours before his name was called and he was just as nervous as any of the other OHL hopefuls there that day. "I knew I would be called but I didn't know when it was coming," England said. "I still got excited when I heard my name and my main concern was getting down there [to the announcer's podium] and meeting everybody," he said. England's parents were with him at the draft as they have been with them throughout his hockey career. "My parents were a great moral support," said England. "My dad went to every game in Owen Sound and in Walkerton. My whole family just routed me on," he said. England realizes that making training camp doesn't guarantee him a spot on the team; however, he isn't going to let this opportunity slip by without giving it his best shot. "I'm going to be work out this sui.:mer and try to improve what needs to be worked on," said Eng- land. "I want to go up there really prepared and show them I can play," he said. Have a news tip? `Call the Times -Advocate 2354331 Times -Advocate, June 21, 1995 Page 15 Roller-bIade-a-thon held for Huron Park Arena Chris Skalkos T -A staff HURON PARK - Jerry Lamport has never tried roller blading be- fore. But on Saturday Lamport put on a pair of roller blades and joined a few area residents to raise funds for the Stephen Township Arena Building. Lamport, along with Rob Funs - ton, are Stephen Township Arena Board members. They teamed up with the Centralia -Huron Park Li- ons Club to organize a "roller- blade-a;thon" in a unique effort to raise money for the arena. "The arena is an important part of the community and any funds will help the facility ..." Lamport and six other roller bladers from the community gath- ered outside the Stephen Township Arena Saturday morning to prepare for their 17 km run. Dane Michielsen and his friend Justin Muller showed up with roll- er blades in hand eager to par- ticipate. Both youngsters play mi- nor hockey out of the building and were there to support the fund rais- er, and maybe show Lamport a few techniques on the blades. "We do a lot of roller blading so we thought this would be a good way to help otit the arena," said Muller. The Lions Club were on hand with a vehicle to follow the group through their journey in case any of ,them needed assistance along the way. Upon their return they provided the roller bladers with food and refreshments. "I think It's a good idea to get the community involved and let them know what we're trying to do," said Lion Club member Frank Funston. "We're not going to do it [raise money for the building] alone, the community has to pitch in," he said. Claybird gun club KIPPEN - The Claybird Gun Club held its annual skeet shoot on Saturday. Shooters from many other clubs participated. Winners were: A class: first Frank Koviak 99; second Steve Christov 96. B class - first Jody Mosurin- john 94; second Russ Beaver 93 C class - first Bill Stewart 84 and second John Ward 78. High veteran was Russ Bea- ver. an impressionby nottmleaving one Our CATOW" 4x2 utility vehicle will barely bend the blades on your delicate turf. The reason is high flotation. With only 7.1 pounds per square inch, this GATOR rises above the competition. Which means the only impression is left on you. NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE CI !-"1 IJJHUROH 'Tractor & Lawn Equipment ka Blyth 523-4244 Exeter 235-1115 1.800-265-4220 Amer London Hwy. 02 East 519-285-3845 Lamport hoped to raise $1,000 with all proceeds going towards the plans to renovate the front end of the building that will include dress- ing rooms, a main lobby and pos- sibly, a community hgll. "The arena is an important part of the community and any funds will improve the facility both func- tionally and aesthetically," said Lamport. "The Minor Hockey at Stephen is extremely competitive and it would be great to have an im- proved facility for them and the vis- iting teams," he said. Huron Park roller bladers, from left, Joelle Lamport, Bobby Sonthirath, Jerry Lamport, Dane Michielsen, Jo - Dee Regier and Molly McClure participated in a roller- blade-a-thon fundraiser for the Stephen Township Arena Building. Soccer roundup Exeter Homets June 14 Nairn Gems 1 vs Exeter Hornets 0 Game well played by everyone Future game: Wed. June 21 at 7:15 behind Exeter Public School Exeter 3 Squirts June 15 Exeter 1114 vs Exeter 1 1 Goals: Ryan Campbell (3), Fragiskos Fra- giskotos Assists: Carissa Desjardine, Michelle Van Esbrocck, Sarah Vocssel Exeter 11 Squirt June 22 Nairn II 0 vs Exeter 11 1 Goals: Greg Thompson Terrific team work! Great support by par- ents! Future games: Thurs. June 22 vs Exeter 3 Exeter 4 Squirts June 15 Exeter IV 3 vs Nairn 1 Goals: Scott Looslcy Assists: Lukas Kerslake WEEK ENDS ARE A DRAG NHRA DRAG RACING EVERY WEEKEND SATURDAY: "Test And Rine" Gates open at 8 a m./Drivers meeting 9 a.m. sharp 'Test and Tune' 9:30 a.m./Gamblers Race 3 p.m. (Street vehicles welcome) General admission $5.00 SUNDAY: Thunder Series Points Event Gates open at 8 a.m./Drivers meeting 9 a m. sharp Time trials start 9:30 a.m. Eliminations 1:30 p.m. Super Pro, Pro, Street Bikes, Jr. Dragster SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS • JEFF VEALE Alcohol Dragster - Runs 5's • SKIP PYM Top Fuel Nitro Funny Car (Street vehicles welcome) General admission $10.00 Students 2 for 1 with card/Seniors halt price • Under 13 free GRAND i "THUNDER BEND BY THE MOTORPLEX BEACH" 3 KM EAST OF GRAND BEND ON HWY 51 TELEPHONE 230 -RACE