HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1980-02-28, Page 68tl
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It's a far cry from the Namking Cafe
Generations from now, few Kinsmen will have the
opportunity to forget their humble beginnings or the
man who founded their club.
On Feb. 23 the. Kinsmen club -plan to open the Hal
Rogers National Headquarters Building in Cambridge.
The $750,000 three-storey contemporary building, set
into the side of a hill on a prime piece of the city's
parkland, will be dedicated to Rogers - three days and
60 years after he founded the club in Hamilton.
It's a far cry from a small gathering in a Hamilton
cafe in 1920 when Rogers and 11 other young men met
to set the wheels in motion.
Nor would Rogers know at the time that the small
band of men would grow to,18,000 strong in more than
600 clubs across Canada.
When Kinsmen administrators{first started talking
about a new headquarters' they didn't anticipate the
swell of support from members across Canada.
"At first we thought of buying a building in Toronto
and leasing office.space to companies to help with the
costs," Executive -Director Peter Hanly says.
"In 10 years we had moved five or six times and we
felt it was time to get a building that would meet our
future expansion needs. We would rent the space we
didn't need until we were ready to expand."
When it was raised with Kinsmen at a national'con-
vention the response was overwhelming. Soon after,
money started flowing in from various clubs, Hanly
said.
"At that point we realized we had the capability to
build our own building," he said.
As word spread, Kinsmen clubs started talking with
their municipalities about sites. Seven were suggested
including Chilliwack, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Markham,.
Mississauga, Guelph and Cambridge.
"Cambridge was the best site for a number of
reasons," says Hanly.. "First the site available to us
was in a park on a hill with a commanding view of
Highway 401. The land was available for one dollar a
year for 99 years and finally the City of Cambridge was
fully co-operative."
Hanly says the new headquarters is "a dream come
true for thousands of Kinsmen.
He says, "It's a testament to the strength and quality
of the organization and the people, both men and
women, who are members in the family
numbering nearly 40,000 from coast to coast:"
The 14,000 square foot building houses the adminis-
trative offices, work and supply areas, seminar and
board rooms.
Reception rooms, a lunch' room and a kitchen are
also part of the facility.
The most dramatic characteristic of the building,
according to Hanly, is the Founder's. Wall, which runs
ystic Fibrosis -major
Tosay. the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
relies on the Kinsmen association would be a serious
understatement.
The foundation receives somewhere in the. neigh-
bourhood of one-third its budget from Kinsmen and
Kinettes. .
Last year, the August edition of Kin magazine indi-
catd X767,000 had been raised by Kinsmen and Kinettes
for OF research during the year.
Since 1964, it has been.estimated the Kinsmen-Kin-
ette contribution in direct donations has been worth
$2.5 million,
Kinsmen involvement with cystic fibrosis.research
began in 1963 when Bill Skelly of the Kinsmen Club of
North York, Ont. asked -Dr. Douglas Crozier to speak to
his club.
Dr. Crozier works in the cystic fibrosis clinic at the
Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
When he explained the genetic disease to the North Y
York club, word was spread through. neighbouring
clubs and proceeds of a 1964 tag day were donated to
CF research.
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation was asked
to make a formal presentation to Kinsmen and in June
1964., cystic fibrosis was adopted as a major Kinsmen
project:
GODERICH
FROSTED FOODS
LIMITED
..... .__.._65 HAMILTON ST., GOQFR.1_cH___
524-9672 •
the height of the three storey structure. Here, silver
coated bricks identify supporting clubs. A bust of Hall
Rogers is set in the area and the club's archives are
found here.
The cost of the building, at $750.,000 is substantially,
more than the $500,000 the club first expected to raise.
Clubs are not required to donate anything at all to the
new building but already $600,000 has been raised.
"Contributions are totally voluntary and when you
consider that. Kinsmen clubs contributed approxim-
ately $43 million to conamuntiy service work last year -
we are doing. well," Hanly says.
The executive -director says the organization will note
have to mortgage any part of the building because he is.
confident the mon,ey will be raised.
The organization did consider cutting costs at one
time.
"We removed the elevator (for- use •by the
handicapped) from. the plans but -members-protested ---
loudly and pledged more contributions to keep it,
Hanly said.
Opening ceremonies are planned at the site on Feb.
23. Prime Minister. Joe Clark is expected to be present
for the festivities. •
In addition Kinsmen representation from every
province in Canada will be attending.
in concern
In addition to raising funds, Kinsmen and Kinettes
actively promote public .awareness off the disease, and
the value of . research . through information booths at
fairs, trade shows and schools throughout Canada.
Club members also support a month-long summer
camp in Ontario for older, cystic fibrosis patients.
Six of the. eight Kinsmen .districts support cystic
fibrosis work in addition to 'several, other heavy
financial commitments in several districts.
Peter Hanly, executive director of the Association of
Kinsmen Club's says CF continues to draw an increas•
ing commitment from Kinsmen districts.
SPROULE SHOES
THE SQUARE GODERICH
524-8505
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