4 - Southpoint Sun
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Recreation complex is getting a new name By Mark Ribble LEAMINGTON — Going forward, the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex will be known as the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre. The naming rights were awarded to Nature Fresh Farms at the May 12 Leamington Council meeting. Nature Fresh will pay about $1 million to the municipality over the 15-year agreement for the naming rights. The 179,000 square foot facility originally opened in 1985 and the Leamington Kinsmen Club spearheaded the fundraising and building of the project. The land was donated by the HJ Heinz Company and the complex was initially known as the Frank T. Sherk Complex to honour the first Canadian President of Heinz, who was from Leamington. The Leamington Kinsmen Club began in 1944 and the Kinsmen and Kinettes have been instrumental in many of Leamington’s largest events and fundraisers. They still have a large hand in Hogs for Hospice, although the membership numbers have dipped recently.
Kevin Reid, speaking on behalf of the current Kinsmen members, said the decision does not come as a surprise to them. “We had meetings back in January and the municipality told us of their plans to shop around the naming rights”, he said. “We decided at that point, that we were best suited to focus on the canteen and other venues.” The Kinsmen Club currently runs the canteen and Locker Room Lounge in the complex, as well as the refreshment venue at Seacliff Park. Those will all stay in the hands of the Kinsmen Club. “We negotiated to keep those longterm,” said Reid. Reid said the club’s motto is ‘serving the community’s greatest needs’ and he thinks by allowing the town to sell those rights, they’ve accomplished that. “We decided to assist the town in allowing that to happen,” he said. Nature Fresh Farms is a greenhouse grower with over 200 acres of greenhouse facilities. Growing in the Leamington community for the past 20 years,
Nature Fresh Farms has become one of the largest independent, vertically integrated greenhouse vegetable farms in North America. “As a family-run business, we understand the value of family and the importance of community facilities that help bring them together,” said founder and President, Peter Quiring. Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald says the municipality is looking toward the future, and recognizes that the Kinsmen played a huge part in the construc-
tion of the complex. “We will never forget what the Kinsmen have done over the years,” she said. Mayor MacDonald had nothing but praise for Nature Fresh for stepping up to the plate. “I’m thankful that we have partners in this community who are willing to put their money up front for the betterment of the community,” she said. “Nature Fresh has always been so good to our community.”
May 16th Miracle a roaring success
WHEATLEY — The local response to the May 16th Miracle food drive was nothing short of fantastic as the good people of Wheatley donated a huge amount of food toward the event. No less than 50 volunteers signed up in Wheatley to collect food from the doorsteps of their fellow residents and spent Saturday afternoon walking and driving to make it happen. Susan Fulmer led the team in Wheatley with help from a dedicated crew. The food and goods collected were brought back to home base at the Wheatley Baptist Church, where more volunteers took the time to sort, count and sanitize everything. The Wheatley Food Bank was the big winner locally with the overall project touching several food banks across Chatham-Kent. Each community within the municipality was allowed to keep the donations for their food bank.
Fulmer said 20 pallets full of food were picked up in Wheatley, as well as just over $1100 in monetary donations. Anyone who missed the event and still wants to donate can call 519-8257433 ext. 4 to arrange drop off.
Volunteers sort through donations at the Wheatley Baptist Church on Monday, May 18. Photo submitted
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON LEVEL OF POLICE SERVICE IN LEAMINGTON
Due to widespread public concern regarding policing service in Leamington, Council has initiated a review to examine the current level of service being provided and to identify the policing priorities that are most important to our citizens. Ultimately, we aim to determine which policing option will provide the highest level of public safety in our community.
The consultative process will be led by Michael Mitchell of MPM Consulting. Mr. Mitchell will be meeting virtually with various organizations throughout Leamington to obtain their viewpoints and suggestions. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings, the Municipality has suspended all public meetings at this time. Therefore, members of the public are encouraged to provide their input through an online survey about how policing in Leamington can be improved to better respond to public safety challenges. Participation is limited to members of the public who either live or work in Leamington. Your feedback is important to us. Please complete our online survey at www.leamington.ca/policesurvey or mail your written submission to the Municipality of Leamington, 111 Erie Street North, Leamington, ON N8H 2Z9 to the attention of the Secretary of the Police Service Board prior to June 5, 2020. Council encourages all interested residents to provide their input so that the Municipality’s review of policing service is both highly focused and thorough.
The front entrance of the newly named Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre as it stands today. The local company purchased the naming rights for the next 15 years. Sun photo
The base of the future Frank T. Sherk Recreation Complex begins to take shape in this 1983 photo when early ground work was accomplished. Scott Holland photo
LAC
No June concerts at Two Creeks Leamington Arts Centre Create. Sustain. Celebrate.
artNEWS Leamington Arts Centre - 519.326.2711 - leamingtonartscentre.com
onVIEW CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: As the gallery remains closed due to COVID-19 we are in the process of adjusting our programming of exhibitions and events for the upcoming weeks. For the latest information and updates, please visit our webiste and sign up to our weekly eMail list, and be sure connect with us on Facebook, Instatgram and Twitter.
artBOARD JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Visitor Services & Gallery Attendant: The VSGA is a warm friendly personality entrusted with visitor experiences and facilty appearances. Temporary fulltime, but could lead to permanent part-time. Adinistrative Assistant: Provides support in all areas of programming, development and administration. Aids with visitor services and cleaning. Temporary full-time. Visit our website for a complete job descriptions and to how to apply. www.leamingtonartscentre.com OFFICE FOR RENT: /RFDWHG RQ WKH QG ÁRRU RI WKH LAC, elevator accessible, approximately 175sq/ft with large window. Clean, quiet and secure. Available immediately. $395 includes all utilities and high speed internet, plus use of small meeting room. First and last required as well as proof of insurance. Inquire by eMail.
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WHEATLEY — The Wheatley Two Creeks Association has been forced to cancel their June concerts due to the COVID-19 situation. The popular outdoor concerts were held every Sunday evening at the Two Creeks Conservation Area for the last 27 years. The first phase in the province’s plan to reopen the economy does not include concerts or sporting events. The July concerts are on hold until the province gets to phase three. “We will make decisions as we get information from the province,” said association president, Gerry Soulliere. The association is hoping to be able to hold some concerts once things open up, but they invite you to explore the trails at Two Creeks in the meantime.
