Namesake for new park pavilion dedicated 35 years to enhancing parks in Paris

By Casandra Turnbull

As Lions Park continues its transformation, the newest picnic area could soon bear the name of a local man who dedicated years to recreation and had a hand in over seeing some of the park’s largest projects over the last couple of decades

County of Brant staff are recommending that the new south picnic pavilion in Lions Park be named after retired civil servant and longtime volunteer and Paris man Darin Ayres. The information was presented and supported by members of the Administration & Operations Committee last week.

Ayres retired from the County of Brant Community Services Department in 2021 after 35 years of service in various roles The last 10 years of his career was dedicated to the Brant Sports Complex and Paris and area parks.

During his time overseeing Paris Parks, Darin played a critical role in many projects that saw the transformation of Lions Park, Paris to the destination park it is today. These projects include but are not limited to, the Pete Lavoie Ball Diamonds, the current Walter Williams Amphitheater, the sensory trail, and many more

Darin Ayres retired from the County of Brant Community Services Department in 2021 after 35 years of service - the last 10 years dedicated to maintaining the Brant Sports Complex and Paris and area parks.

That’s not the only reason why staff are recommending Ayres as the namesake, he also committed himself as a volunteer supporting many local service clubs and events within the park.

As part of the Parks and Recreation Asset Naming Policy, the recommendation must go through public notice and remain open for comment for 21 days before it can be approved by Brant County Council and become official.

Ayres’ managerial career began at the Burford Community Centre in 1989, where he remained until transferring to the Syl Apps Community Centre in 1999. He played a vital role in the development of Green Lane Sports Complex after the Town of Paris purchased it from Lafarge Canada in the mid 1990s. Today, there are several full-sized soccer fields, a four-plex ball diamond, a walk trail, dog park, disc golf course and beach volleyball pits. In 2011, Ayres was involved in the planning process for the Twin Pad arena at the Brant Sports Complex

Over five years ago, during an interview with Ontario Recreation Facilities Association, of which he was a member, Ayres commented, “I have been very fortunate in my career. I started as a rink rat at the Paris Arena in 1984 and knew in a short time that this life was for me.

I am just about to reach 30 years in this business, and it has all pretty well happened in or very close to the Town I live in, Paris, Ontario I am proud of that and take a lot of pride in the work I do and the community I live in.”