Calendar Club Donates to Wilkin Family Community Centre

As construction moves along for the Wilkin Family Community Centre, located just off Grand River Street North, donations are continuing to pour in. In a display of community support, the Calendar Club – a long-standing Paris-based company – has stepped forward with a $10,000 donation this week.

“Our community is blessed to have such wonderful supporters, and we are thankful to Calendar Club for their generous donation,” said Mayor David Bailey. “Calendar Club’s mission is steeped in connecting people to their passions and bringing people together –which is precisely what the Wilkin Family Community Centre will offer to residents and visitors alike ” Located right here in Paris, Calendar Club is the largest provider of calendars and puzzles in Canada. Celebrating 30 years as an industry leader in games and toys, Calendar Club is recognized as the largest seasonal retailer in Canada. The company is well-known for supporting community projects, fundraisers and events through a variety of donations Their mission is to connect people to their passions and provide opportunities to create memories. Donating to this community centre project is another example of the company living up to its mission

“We are pleased to support the Paris Lawn Bowling Club. This historical club has been, and continues to be, a quiet sanctuary to enjoy sport and camaraderie We’re glad to be a part of that tradition,” said Barrie Ogilvie and John Edgar on behalf of Calendar Club.

The new Wilkin Family Community Centre, located at 169 Grand River Street North in Paris, will feature approximately 2,055 square feet of indoor space, and will offer indoor and outdoor recreation, social activities, family gatherings, cultural and arts events, and various other opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy. It will be Brant's first net-zero building and will also house the Paris Lawn Bowling Club and the Paris Seniors Club 99. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2024

The Wilkin Family Community Centre has a construction cost of $1.6 million, with a fundraising goal of $400,000 to help alleviate the project's financial impact on the municipality.

Since March 2024, the campaign working group has been actively seeking significant donations. Naming opportunities are available for features including:

• the Great Room

• the covered patio overlooking the lawn bowling greens

• several cabanas

Donors who wish to be recognized will be acknowledged on the Donor Wall in the Great Room of the Wilkin Family Community Centre. For more information on naming opportunities and how to donate, please contact the Capital Campaign Coordinator, Angee Turnbull, CFRE, at 519.761.1129 or angee.Turnbull@brant.ca

A long-time Paris business, Calendar Club is the most recent donor towards the Wilkin Family Community Centre project. They announced a $10,000 donation this week.