Construction set to begin on multi-use community centre

The $1.3-$1.6 million facility will replace the aging Paris Lawn Bowling Clubhouse

By Casandra Turnbull

Construction on a new 2,055 square foot multi use community centre is edging closer to reality with an announcement this week from the County of Brant stating construction is scheduled to begin following the Labour Day long weekend.

On Tuesday, September 5th , construction crews will begin to break ground on a brand new clubhouse at the Paris Lawn Bowling Club located at 169 Grand River St N.

The new clubhouse is designed to function as a ‘net zero’ building, which supports the climate emergency mandate that council established in 2019 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and it will replace the existing 75-year-old Clubhouse that was built in 1948. The building was eventually turned over to the Town of Paris for $1 when membership dwindled, and the lawn bowling club could no longer afford the upkeep in 1986. Plans for the new clubhouse were unveiled last fall. After meetings with stakeholders to review the concept plans, a few changes were implemented to maximize the uses and functionality of the building.

The large open space within the clubhouse will be increased by 200 square feet to better accommodate programming by increasing the capacity to 60 people; indoor and outdoor storage reconfiguration was required for better organization and flow within the building; and operable doors on the front of the building decreased from three to two to allow for better placement of furniture and flow of patrons. The estimated cost of $1 3 to $1 6 million includes demolition of the existing building, civil engineering costs, landscaping, mechanical/electrical, restoration of the greens, as well as a 15% contingency fund. It does not include furniture, appliances and permit fees Staff recommend that $1 6 million be included in the 2023 capital budget, to be funded by longterm debt.

Not only will this new space serve as a clubhouse for the Paris Lawn Bowling Club, which has a membership of over 60 and climbing in recent years but will be the new headquarters for the Paris Seniors Club.

The Paris Lawn Bowling Club uses the facility two evenings per week, which leaves room for the Paris Seniors’ Club to operate out of the new facility as well The seniors’ club has been housed at three different facilities over the last nine years and having a dedicated programming space will enable the group to expand their programs from two to three or four days per week. Additional programming opportunities would also be available for evenings or weekend workshops and social events. The group currently has approximately 45 members and has reported a 30% increase in members this past few months.

The multi-use facility will be used year-round, unlike the current facility that can only operate seasonally. It will also provide rental opportunities for the community If construction remains on target, the clubhouse should be operable by May 2024.

Have you registered for the Terry Fox Run yet?

Annual run takes off from Paris District High School at 11 am on September 17th. Organizers hopeful for great turnout

By Casandra Turnbull

Terry Fox once said, “I want to set an example that will never be forgotten.”

Even though cancer prevented him from completing his entire run, he ultimately accomplished what he set out to do. Over 40 years after his famous trek across most of Canada, Canadians still honour his memory and desire to raise awareness for cancer research by participating in the annual Terry Fox Run. A whopping 650 communities across the country fundraise for cancer research through Terry’s legacy each September.

Terry is a Canadian folklore of sorts, and his drive and fierce determination is felt here in Paris, Ontario, some 43 years after he ran through this town during his Marathon of Hope.

“Terry was not a quitter, he didn’t give up, he just ran out of time. All of us are the time that Terry didn’t have,” says Kiley Cruickshank, one of the lead organizers of the Paris Terry Fox Run, which takes place on Sunday, September 17.

She, along with her sister-in-law Melanie Chmelik, were handed the ‘coordinator torch’ from Mary Crozier about a decade ago Mary was the face of the Paris Terry Fox run for many, many years She delivered the reigns to Cruickshank and Chmelik who share her vision and tenacity for keeping Terry’s memory alive locally. It takes a team to organize an event of this magnitude and Cruikshank acknowledges there are many members of the community who have participated and volunteered for decades, paving the way for the success of the event year after year.

“My first participation sticker I have is from 1990, but I’m sure I started before that,” she shared “My Dad has been a local volunteer for over 30 years, so it has always been a family cause and tradition. We have now recruited our husbands and children.”

Continued on page 7

Cruikshank said her family became involved because they felt it was important to help carry on Terry’s legacy and to show their kids Terry Fox is a hero for so many reasons; his courage, determination, compassion and athleticism, to name a few. “This event honouring Terry is a yearly reminder for our children, for all of us, that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and believe in others.”

Last year’s run was the first in-person event since the pandemic hit in 2020. Like most non-profit organizations and fundraising endeavors, those years were a challenge.

“Our donations over the past two years took a hit We missed the energy that comes with bringing everyone together for the same cause and the hope that we all have that working together one day we will end this horrible disease.”

The run in Paris typically attracts around 100 participants and usually raises around $10,000 annually, however, last year’s first in person run broke local records. In total, more than 130 people took part in the run/walk and a grand total of $15, 225 was raised Cruikshank and fellow organizers were thrilled and are hoping for a similar result this year. As the town’s population continues to grow organizers hope so will the run’s attendance The key is to educate people on the impact this run has on cancer research.

Terry and the dream he had to have us all be a part of the cure.”

So, mark your calendars for September 17 and you too can be a part of Terry’s legacy. The event, whether you choose to run it, walk it or stroll it, begins at 11 am at Paris District High School You can register online or in advance at the school at 10 am. The 5k entire route will be accessible for everyone to participate and for those who feel athletic, you can loop through twice to double your distance and maybe even double your pledges! If you’re not physically capable of participating in the Terry Fox Run, there are other ways to donate Visit the Terry Fox website for more details.

Participants collect pledges in advance of the run to raise money for cancer research

“Terry’s goal 43 years ago was to raise $1 for every Canadian. We know that Paris can do this,” said Cruikshank, urging people to put out a challenge to friends and local businesses to register a team and fundraise to give hope to a future where cancer doesn’t impact so many lives.

Terry’s goal to raise $1 for every Canadian would have equated to $24.17 million in 1980 - a goal he accomplished four months before his death at the age of 22 Since then, more than $800 million has been raised country wide in Terry’s name.

SCOREBOARD FEBRUARY 16 – FEBRUARY 23

“We have many families sign up as a team or as groups, some with shirts made as they are running in memory of a loved one. We have all been touched by cancer and this day brings us all together because of

If you’d like to contribute to Terry’s legacy and help change the course of cancer, register online at www.terryfox.org or reach out locally by email to paristfr@outlook.com