Clinton News Record, 2014-07-09, Page 7Wednesday, July 9, 2014 • News Record 7
MP Ben Lobb congratulates Bayfield Mews for
new recreational program at the Bayfield Arena
MP Ben Lobb was on hand at the
Bayfield Arena on July 3 to congratu-
late the Bayfield Mews for establish-
ing a multi-purpose recreational pro-
gram for the community of Bayfield
with the help of a $25,000 grant from
the New Horizons for Seniors Pro-
gram. The federal program provides
capital assistance for new and exist-
ing community projects and/or pro-
grams for seniors.
Early this year Bayfield Mews made
a presentation to Bluewater council to
use the arena for pickleball and shuf-
fleboard courts when the ice surface
is removed during the summer and to
use the Varna complex in the winter
when the ice surface is in the Bayfield
Arena.
The grant funds were used to pur-
chase nets and paddles for four pickle -
ball courts and the equipment for two
shuffleboard courts. In addition, court
time has been purchased so everyone
can play at no charge for at least a year.
This will give a chance for people who
are unfamiliar with the game to come
and try the sport without investing in
equipment. It will also be a chance to
establish a Club that can operate the
program and make the program sus-
tainable in the future.
"On behalf of Bayfield Mews, we are
extremely pleased with the way the
program has turned out. Working in
co-operation with the municipality of
Bluewater to have an indoor venue
means the program can operate all
year. Since the program started in late
April, attendance has grown steadily
with an average of 20 players daily. It
is great to see folks out having fun and
getting some exercise at the same
time. The New Horizons for Seniors
Program made it all possible," said
John Elmslie, President of the Bay-
field Mews.
"Our Government recognizes the val-
uable contribution seniors have made
to our society and the economy. By
supporting New Horizons for Seniors
Program projects, we are acting to
ensure that seniors maintain a good
quality of life and continue to be active
members of their communities," said
Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb.
Pickleball is a racquet sport that is rap-
idly growing in popularity. It attracts a
wide range of ages, but particularly sen-
iors, due to the slower speed of the ball
and the size of the court which is just
under one-third of the total area of a ten-
nis court. This smaller area combined
with the slower moving ball makes pick-
leball much easier to play and far lower
physical impact than tennis.
The hours of play at the Bayfield
Arena are Monday evenings 6:30 to 8:30
p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday morn-
ings 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. If you have not
tried it, come out and give it a try. It is
free and all you need is a pair of run-
ning shoes or court shoes.
Tara Ostner, The Clinton News Record
Project manager of the Bayfield Mews, Malcolm Ross, and MP Ben Lobb observe a
game of pickleball at the Bayfield Arena.
t 7
Celebrating 50 Years
Elsie and Peter VV illems I
Se • tember 12, 1964
Caroline, Marilyn
and
Lori Lynne
and their families
invite you to join us
for the afternoon of
July 13, 2014
at the
Royal Canadian Legion
Seaforth Branch 156
156 Main St., 5. Seaforth
1-4 p.m.
Best Wishes Only Please
Open House Format
L NAPPY 50TH WEDDING.
ANNIVERSARY
ROSS & DONNA MCBEATH
JULY 11, 1964
LOVE YOUR FAMILY