Elmvale District Lions Club Highlights

Lions SPORT BUILDING in time frames and Areas of Sport Building

1949 -1952 The Facility- The Build- The amazing and long anticipated three years effort to Build a Rink
1953 - 1963 Mentoring -The Management and Administration -The Facility additions and upgrades
1964 - 1993 (Post Artificial Ice) - Mentoring and Partnering - Fund Raising – Management and Administration – Longevity - The Fostering and Sponsoring of newly spawned sports. The Growth and Expansion of Sport and of Stakeholders - Sporting success

1949-1952--
Perhaps the most critical, difficult and significant “Builder” Achievement in this time period was the Actual Construction of the Community Rink.
The expressed community need was apparent. However, significant debate regarding how to finance the project left action in Limbo for three years (1946-1949). Despite research and a commitment re land use, the Stakeholders – (the town, the surrounding hamlets, and the Township of Flos) could not get this project underway.
See e-Book 1 and e-Book 2 for a chronicle of the challenges and achievements of that construction project
1953-1963--
The elements of Achievement demonstrated by Lions as a Builder during this time period were in the areas of Administration/Management/Mentoring/ Facility Enhancement Building and Partnership
Lions showed that a facility could be constructed without the use of debentures; by donated labour and at material cost. This was a fine example to the Curling members who had for an extended period of time sought a Curling Rink/Building to house their highly skilled and dedicated membership. Many Curlers were Lions. As well many Agricultural Society members were Curlers and often Lions. Within a very few years after the arena construction was completed, the Curling Club was Built; added on to the west side of the arena. Lions provided a model and a “wall”. The Agricultural Society had agreed to land use. A mix of membership and a congenial working relationship among Clubs would become even more evident in Elmvale and District as Partnership would be a noted characteristics in other fund-raising campaigns and initiatives. Lions also demonstrated a commitment to Management and Administration during this time. The administrative body of the new arena consisted of the Lions, Township and Elmvale. Lion Reg Bertram became the Arena Manager; the Lions maintained the skilled and dedicated “Arena Committee” which was initiated in the construction period and continued on as part of the Arena administration. This Arena would not be a Construction initiative to be handed off to others. Lions continued to Build. The finished arena was a “paid off- bare bone” structure that needed so much-- furnace, dressing rooms, booth and on and on. The Booth became a money-making venture which the Lions’ “Booth Committee” ran. Taking on such responsibilities were not really in the prevue of a Service Club but when needed, Lions were prepared to provide hands-on support. As the Booth venture became viable and the young Minor Hockey group became more capable, Lions slowly handed the Booth operations to Minor Hockey. The Builder characteristic of “Support” was evident as Lions helped those stakeholders have the means to succeed as they took on more and more of the responsibilities involved in the operation of this Arena venture. Support also continued to be extended financially. (Lion minutes of the time document that when and where there was a deficit at the end of the year, Lions would cover it). By 1963 Lions were stepping back from direct Administration. Governance fell to a Commission made up of Town, Township and Minor Hockey.
1963-1993--
The Elements of “Builder” achievement that were evident during this period were Mentoring/ Financial Support/Partnership and Inclusion
Despite a generous amount of skilled hockey youngsters, full participation in Hockey League play and Minor Hockey was limited due to the lack of an artificial ice surface--(fall scheduling and spring playoffs could not be counted upon). Parents and coaches formed an “Artificial Ice Committee”. It was a skilled, confident and formidable group; ready and able to take on the challenge of providing Artificial Ice for the Rink. Lions helped with the mind set that stated--“We can do This”.  Mentoring/Partnership-- Lions assisted as did many Clubs and organizations with the fund raising and labour. Their donation to Terrazzo floor which was not in the original budget and was needed ASAP, was a timely and significant donation. That decision/floor would turn out to be a ‘Sports’ Game changer. In the summer months the arena opened the door for a variety of sporting opportunities for the citizens of Elmvale and District.. Hockey and Ball championships were won; skaters were recognized not only provincially but nationally.
This period was an incredible time frame in which sports multiplied, participation increased not only in numbers but in Inclusion. Two examples of where Lions had a role in Inclusion expansion were found in projects supported by its members,
The Elmvale Figure Skating Club was proposed by Lions Percy Franckom and Stan Furlong. It was organized by ShIrley Furlong and the many mothers who saw a need for girls/ladies to share in the sport of skating. Lions sponsored the Club over its initial years with donated ice-time. That Club has been an example of Inclusion as well as incredible achievement. Angie Kirton was asked how many skaters have participated in the Club over the years and she estimated into the ‘thousands’. That inclusion extended to may young boys under the age of 5 who had their first skating instruction via this program.
Sledge Hockey was yet another example where opportunities became available to those whose disabilities limited their involvement. Lion Vern Beacock a two time Lion President marshalled his family and friends to construct ‘sleds’ and form a Sledge Hockey team. The Elmvale Bears has been a long-standing team honing the skills of Olympic Para hockey champions like Adam Dixon. But more importantly giving opportunities to those whose disabilities might have excluded them from participation.
Fund Raising was an ever- present need in so many areas. There were the expressed needs and wants for uniforms, equipment, facilities, booths, pavilions, fences and lights. The two huge challenges presented by the 1975 fire and 1993 reconstruction marshalled the support of every facet of the community. Lions were but one element of those campaigns; yet a significant and consistent supporter.
New methods of raising funds were tried i.e. The Maple Syrup Festival was originated as a President project of Lion Doug Rose in 1965. The Committee included church groups and others. As its success expanded it became a wonderful fund raiser. Initially, its proceeds were divided among the founding groups and more recently spread over community needs. (many of which were Sporting) The fund raising endeavours proposed and executed by the Elmvale District Lions Club have been varied, ingenious and far too numerous to list. They have been a constant strategy of support over the last seven decades of their Service.

1994 - Present    Springwater Township with its fully staffed and budgeted Recreation Department came to assume many major Builder elements of Sport.   However, Lions and the District’s community workers for Sport have continued to be involved where and when the need has arisen.

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