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Clinton News-Record, 1985-6-26, Page 34Vanastra PACE NINE Vanastra -from air Kase to residential area The present hamlet of Vanastra has few similarities to the Vanastra that was once the home of many military families. The abandoned air force base is now surrounded by 22 industries, employing over 200 people. It also offers its residents a public school, nursery school, a church, several clubs and a well equipped recreation centre. But there was a time when Vanastra was known only as a military base. Yesterday It wasn't until the war was well over that area residents found out what had been hap- pening at the air base, which had no planes or runway. As it turned out, the air base was the first North American radio school. In 1941 the federal government purchased farm land from Norman Tyndall two and a half miles south of Clinton's main in- tersection. Mr. Tyndall was in the process of plowing a field to plant corn when two government officials approached him to make an offer on the land. Within 48 hours, plans were in effect to turn the land into an air base. There were several reasons for building the base on that particular site. One of the most important reasons was to have a remote training place away from the battle fields so men could be trained in safety. Another feature that made the area attrac- tive for an air base was its location by Lake Huron, with the land closely resembling the actual war zone over southeast England. Recreational facilities... From page 8 Primarily, the function of the co-ordinator is to prepare and implement recreational, aquatic and fitness activities for groups and individuals with special needs in hopes of eventually integrating persons into non- specialized recreational programs. Some groups presently involved in the Special Needs Program include Braemore Manor (Exeter); Arc Industries, (Dashwood) ; Huron Day Centre for the Homebound (Clinton) ; Stroke Club (Clin- ton); various schools in the area for Special Children; water exercise classes for per- sons with arthritis; and numerous in- dividual programs for both adults and children. Summer recreational ball is offered to the youth of Tuckersmith Township , ladies' and men's slo-pitch is also popular in the com- munity. One baseball diamond is located in Vanastra behind the Recreation Centre. It has no lights at this time but will have in the near future. Another unlit diamond is used at and owned by Conestoga College. During the summer, children are bused to the centre for group swimming lessons. They come from Goderich Township, Hen - sail, Stanley Township, Colborne Township, Bayfield and Blyth and number approx- imately 400 children. The Vanastra Recreation Centre is a busy spot. With the co-operation of the staff and public, it has become a successful recrea- tional facility. A salute to good neighbours! The Council and Residents of the Township of Stanley extend their congratulations to the Council and citizens of the Township of Tuckersmith during their Sesquicentennial Celebrations We invite you to the Township of Stanleys Sesquicentennial Celebrations next year - Civic Holiday Weekend 1986. REEVE: Paul Steckle DEPUTY REEVE: Donald McGregor COUNCILLORS: Clarence Rau Howard Armstrong Jack Coleman CLERK -TREASURER: Mel Graham DEPUTY CLERK -TREASURER: Betty Graham ROAD SUPERINTENDENT: Bill Taylor Another important reason was the area itself. It was equipped with sufficient power facilities, was close to supplies, transportation and was not in a heavily populated or well known area. Part of the agreement upon selling the farm was to guarantee Mr. Tyndall a job. The government kept their bargain, giving Mr. Tyndall work in the construction and. engineering section of the project. The first building completed was the guard house which was located at a former entrance off Highway 4. Later more land was purchased to accommodate the project, which had an original contract of 40 buildings, from Mervyn Hanley and Joe Crich. . The air base started to take shape in mid- July of 1941 when the first of the radar equipment was brought into Clinton. In August 1945, TIME Magazine wrote, "From Clinton, Ontario, (pop 2,000) came a significant story of international co- operation. In four years, .2,325 Americans (and 6,500 Cana- dians) have been graduated from Clinton's Royal Canadian Air Force Radar and Com- munications School. The United States students, most of them university men, thought so highly of the school that it later became the model for US training centres." In 1944 the station was renamed No. 1 Radar and Communications School. From this point to its closure in 1971, the base took on a number of different jobs. In the late 1950s the school became known as the School of Examination Unit' and the School of Food Services. In the early 1960s it was the School of Instructional Technique and in 1968 it was a Warrant Officers' School. But whatever the name was, those who at- tended had a common goal - to serve their country in times of peace and war. The last official act was carried out on August 31, 1971 when the flag was lowered. The following day the base was owned by Crown Assets Corporation. In January of the following year the base, which consisted of 258 acres and 217 housing units, was sold to Roden4a Investment and Developments Ltd. of Galt for $468,000. The former Air Marshal Hugh Campbell Public School was not included in the sale because it had been bought by Conestoga College of Applied Arts as an extension campus. The effect of the closure on the local economy was significant. The annual gross military payroll was $10,000,000 and the an- nual civilian payroll was $1,400,000. The disposable income from these figures was $5,200,000. However, it didn't take long for businesses to move into the area, and by 1975, there were five industries as well as associated services, making Vanastra Huron County's largest industrial park. Today Vanastra has become a well developed residential and commerical area. Plans are underway to upgrade existing apartments and remodel 50 town house units. Their recreation facilities offer something for all fitness tastes and the industries employ a variety of skilled workers. At present Vanastra is more than holding its own and the future looks promising. Wishes do come True! Our Best Wish to You! Tuckersmith From your neighbours of THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF HAY