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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-10-30, Page 7, •,. AN EARLY POOL—One of the first pools at the Lions Park,boilt in the mid thirties, consisted Of a cement floor across the bed of, the Silver Creek. The banks of the creek were linedVith stone, rip rap and the pool even provided a -sandy beach (bottom right). (Expositor photo) TA, laa HITTING THE SWITCH—James M. Seott, president of the Lions Club at the -time, was the first to turn on the lightsat the ball diamond at Lions Park when the diamond was opened in 1948. The old poles and lights, victims of age, are being replaced in the current renovation project at the park. (Expositor Photo). Park started in - The Seaforth Lions Park, established in 1925 and the attractive gateway at the eastern end of Seaforth, is undergoing a massive face- lift. A fund raising campaign to help pay for a new, circulation system at the pool - and a new ball diamond was initiated early this week. The part, at its inception, sat on two acres of land rented from John R. Archi- bald for 50 years at an annual rental of S20. ,The original pool resulted from. cleaning out a quarry through w.'eh ran Silver Creek- The' ofeek had 'always been a popular swimming hole for arca youth. In later years the pooksvas enlarged. the creek banks were lined with stone and the park area was cleared. By 1940, the Lions had pur- chased the rented land plus an additional six acres. The isool facility was further improved with the addition of a concrete floor on the river bed which permitted easier maintenance and supervi- sion. Change room facilities and some lighting were also added. Following a bequest a large bath house was erected in 1942 and in 1948 a ball &mood and night lighting were added. M that time the pool still depended on Silver Creek, but for a variety of reasons water flow was de- teriorating to a. point where, in 1954, a decision was made to plan and construct a -pool independent of the creek. The new pool was opened in 1956. A picnic pavillion was built in 1964 and in 1967 centen- nial gates were constructed in cooperation with Tucker - smith township. Today, in an average summer, 11,000 swims are enjoyed at the Lions pool, 280 people in- cluding children' through to adults take swimming les; sons and of these. 40 com- plete the Red Cross instruct- ion course as qualified swim- mers. In recent years swim- ming competitions involving groups from across Huron and Perth counties have been hosted at the park. In addition, over the years the grounds have been used for numerous picnics, young- er children have gotten used to the water with the help of the wading pool and outdoor Sunday evening church ser- vices are often held. The Seaforth Lions have embarked on the second phase of major renovations at the Lions Park pool. A new chlorination system and elec- tric service were added at the „00,9' goal __lions kick off renovation fund A —eanapaign to raise $75,000 towards the renova- tions of Seaforth Lions Park will be underway this'week. The campaign was an- noun.ced at the Seaforth, Lions Club meeting Monday night. The campaign organiza- tion will be headed by Marlen Vincent, a past presi- dent of the Seaforth Lions Club. With Mr. Vincent on the campaign committee are Gord Rimmer, treasurer, James , M. Scott, Dr. J. Turnbull, Irwin Johnston, Robert Beuttenmiller, Dar- win Bannerman, A.Y. McLean, John Talbot and dub president W.P. Mc Laughlin. Mr. Vincent said work of _ _ _ 1925 pool two years ago. Now, in the second phase, the piping and recirculation equipment is being updated. Recirculation, which ' in 1955 was satisfactory if done every 24 hours, now must be carried out every 12 hours which created the need for a new and larger circulation pump. The decision to renovate rather than rebuild was made ',Lai the advice of the Lions Park engineering consult- ants. The ball diamond, which has hosted night and day games since 1948, is being upgraded to meet the growing demands of recre- ational groups in the Sea - forth area. A new lighting system is being installed after a severe storm this summer caused one of the 32 -year-old poles to weaken and crash. Both the pool and the ball diamond facilities will be ready next summer. MATERNITY WEAR at , Tho Separate Shoppe MAIN CORNER, CLINTON PHONE 411-7771 (NEXT TO CAMPBELL'S MEN'S WEAR) OPEN 1-4 OPEN 1-4 $1000 donors to be on plaque Donors to the Lions Park renovation campaign have an opportunity to have a plaque installed • at the park to perpetuate the memory of a relative or friend or to provide recognition of a family or organization. Memorial gifts of 51000 or more will ensure that snit - able plaques will provide permanent recognition to • supporters of the park. Campaign organizers emphasized that gifts can be made over a two year period or longer is desired. Cheques should be made payable to the Seaforth Lions Park will Renovation Fund. MI gifts acknowledged by a receiand are deduetible for incom tax purposes. • FREE GRAIN BANK Store your corn & take it home later on as Meal, Crumbled or Pelleted Feed as you require it. FORWARD CONTRACTS ALSO AVAILABLE For InforrnatIon on the above Call DON CORBETT AT 527-1.910 DAYS 527-0211 NIGHTS OPNOTCH 527-1910 4111,H ' TOPNOTCH FEEDS LIMITED Seaforth • organizing the campaign was well advanced. He added that given the co-operation of the peop:e in the area• which the park has served for more than 50 years, be was confident the $75,000 object- ive could be met. Former area residents now prominent in other fields are cooperating in the campaign and have agreed to serve as an • heriourary members. They are K. Bruce Mac- presi,dent Of Pioneer Grain Company of Winnipeg who is horiourary chairman. Mr. MacMillan is a former general manager of -Topnotch Feeds Limited of Seaforth. Serving with him as honorary vice chairmen are 9are Westcott, executive. director of the office of Ontario Prime Minister William Davis, Judge Donald Scott, senior o:itinty court judge. for the Region of Niagara and R.A. • Eltinendyk, vice president of corporate development for the Labatt Brewing Company Limited. The renovation program includes updating and re- placing circulation equip- ment in the 25 year old pool, the construCtion of a new ball diamond and lighting and improvements to the park area and to Silver Creek. The total project cost is estimated at 5150,000, haif of which is anticipated in grInts from Wintario'and the ministry. SPECIAL VISITOR—Clare Westcott, executive direator of the office of the prime minister of ' Ontario and a Seaforth native, returned Monday night to speak to the Lions Club meeting. (Photo by Shoveller) BY HERB SHOVELLER - The most ,serious ail- ment in North American society today ia the breakup of the family, and some of the surest cures are group projects involving the com- munity at large. That is, the imPortance Judge Donald Scott, addrass- FORMER RESIDENT RETURNED—Former Seaforth resident, Judge Donald Scott, senior County Court judge for the Region of Niagara, addressed the Lions gathering Monday night to help kick off the Lions Park Renovation Fund -drive. 9 (Photo by Shoveller) Lions, ball pledge Individual members of 'the Seaforth Lions Club have pledged, more than 515.000 towards the Lions Park reno- vation campaign. The cam- paign was announced earlier this week. • So convinced were the members of the need of. a major renovation at the park that they didn't hestitate in setting an example for the community in •making their pledges. An added boost to the campaign came from the Seaforth Men's Recreational Ball League. which pledged 54000 towards the campaign The money %sill be raised FREE RABIES VACCINATION CLINICS a. 1980. MONDAY, NOV.3, 1980 STAFFA Twp. Garage 9:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.m. FULLARTON Twp. Shed 2 P.m. - 5 P.m. KIRKTON RANNOCH BORNHOLM MITCHELL MONDAY, NOV. 10, 1980 Kirkton Veterinary Clinic 9:30 A.M. - 12 NOON Two. Shed • 2 P.M. - 5 P.M. THURSDAY, NOV. 13, 1980 Twp. Garage 9:30 - 12 NOON Public Works Bldg. 2 P.M. - 7 P. -M. YOUR PET IS SUBJECT TO INFECTION IF IN CONTACT WITH A WILD ANIMAL SUFFERING FROM RABIES. YOU IN TURN ARE SUBJECTTO INFECTION IF BITTEN OR SCRATCHED BY A RABI D PET. TO REDUCE THE DANGER OF INFECTION IN YOUR PETS, HAVE THEM VACCINATED. NOTE: IMMUNITY IS NOT PERMANENT.Dogs and cats should be revaccinated every 12 - 18 months. This service is sponsored by your own municipality, The Perth District Health Unit, and The Health of Anima& Branch, Agriculture Canada. It offered free of charge to pet owners, regardless of county or residence, and they are urged to present their pets for vaccination at any clinic. Dogsshould be on a leash, accompanied by an adult. Cats are to be properly restrained, The Health of Animals Branch, The Perth District Health Unit and your municipality aYe not responsible for accidents. PERTH DISTRICTHEIkLTH.UNIT-271-7600 HEALTH. OF ANIMALS BRANCH -271-9582 1 A "through ball tournaments' • . explained league spokesman Bob Beuttenmiller. • The pledges from the Lions members and the ball league gets the drive well underway. "When Lions pledge 515.000. 20 per cent of the total required. we should be able to count on thecommun- ay the park serves for the balance." campaign chair- man Marlep Vincent com- mented. He added the action le Lions members show they recognize conditions at the park. the needs that there and the rrecessityof the renovations. ing a ,Lions Club gathering of more than 140 Monday night, attached to theSea- forth Lions Park Renovation Fund drive 'which was kicked off at, the meeting. Judge _Scott,. a. Seaforth native, is currently senior County Court judge for the Region of Niagara'. Guests at the meet- ing included nearly 100 area residents who had agreed tb work un Jaehalf of the cam- paign. The Lions hope to raise $75;000 te, heip_offset.athe_ cost of renovations to the pool and baseball facilities at the park. "After being involved in the administration of just- ice," the judge explained, "I've been impressed by -the break up of institutions which have an- effect on the family. For example, with the breakup of cfiurches and schools, they seem to have lost some of their authority. But the most serious is the breakup of the family." "I think the breakup of the family can almost be traced to the breakup of the ccimmunity." he continued. Jug. Scott used mobility as an example of changes in . society, and added "what, you lose is something 1 consider very deep and necessary. That's why the Lions , -project should be supported wholeheartedly. It's a community project." He contrasted Seaforth with his home in Fonthill to provide an example. "I know comparisons are known to be odious, but in our town -Font - hill -there is np sense of community there. That is an area with the fifth highest inCome bracket in Canada. The area is very wealthy, but in 1975 they didn't have half the facilities that I had here growing up in Seaforth." ' , "I think this community owes a tremendous debt to the Lions Club. The last bulwark of the community lies not with the churches, not with the schools, but in your senk of community. f • Please don't.,ever lose it," The judge began his address with several amus- ing anecdotes from the legal profession. nincluding some he had experienced during his 12 years on the bench. One involved a divorce case between a 93 -year-old man and his 92 -year-old wife. After granting them the _divorce— he_called the man_ aside and asked why, at their age, they were, splitting up. "We did it for the sake of the kids," the old gentleman replied. "We waited until they all died." .. After Judge Scott had praised the Lions for their work over ,the years and encouraged . 'them in their latest project , another Sea - forth native, Clare Westcott, executive director of the office of the prime minster of Ontario, spoke briefly. "I 'left Seaforth 30 years ago," recalled Mr. Westcott, but I learned to swim. I think of thehours and hours . we spent at the Lions Pool, and you have to remember that was.Jn th6. n's and not many pe le had a pool back then." Both men, returning to the community after making their marks elsewhere, con- sidered projects such as the Lions Park important to them when they were growing up. They made it clear that importance has not diminish - During the dinner. cam- paign chairman Marlen Vincent discussed the can- vass program as kits were distributed. Club president W.P. McLaughlin. presided for the dinner which was prepared by a committee of wives of club members head- ed by Jane Vincent and Lois Hodgert. The Tuckersmith Municipal Council invites all ratepayers to election .night DANCE Vanastra Recreation Centre November 10 from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. LADIES PLEASE BRING LUNCH BLOODY LOW -4,PRICES SHOP THE TRIANGLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY MAIN commocumo'N serrme SOUARE/GODERICH MAIN CORNER/SEAFORTH TRI,AN6LE DISCOUNT„ ESPRlT SHAMPOO,„ 'ail; LOTION.. PC:A.0[NT Om_ v Orli. DENTURE CLEANING TABLETSm, 0.y $1.69 RUB A535,„ ONL Y $1 99 ANTIPHLOGISTINE PleiRPET CLEANER .,„a ONL Y TAMPON' Saos ONLY $2•79 TAMPAX CHECK OUT OUR LARGE SELECTION OF HALLOWE'EN CANDY AT DISCOUNT PRICES! immumbh. • ••":".-••":,,,tr.te% 'go t .1re 4".c. e-ror:"A Z." •?4,