Here in our pretty little town, it seems so many people are angry and cross with so many people. This week, let me ramble in another direction. Let’s all try to love each other.
Just imagine how happy and proud Harold Clement would be if he was able to walk into our Niagara-on-the-Lake Community Centre today. Harold was a longtime NOTL resident “back in the day,” until 2009, and a truly visionary local politician. In politics for all the right reasons, and apparently he never put up a yard sign.
He was a passionate advocate of the community centre. And this is only one example of his devotion to enhancing the quality of life in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It seems like it was a long time ago, but in fact, only 15 years have passed since the exciting opening day on March 26, 2011.
I encourage all residents to drive over to Anderson Lane, near the firehall on Niagara Stone Road. Spend some time reading the two impressive plaques inside the community centre. So much recent local history, and so many familiar names. What a reminder of how hard some people work on our behalf.
So much hard work has been done by so many. Three lord mayors are mentioned. Gary Burroughs, Art Viola and Gary Zalepa Jr. were doing their best, way back then, to enhance our lifestyles.
Clive Buist was the director of parks and recreation, and the indefatigable Ken Rive was the town’s facilities supervisor and the project manager for the ambitious Community Centre — “On time and on budget.”
The 12-person fundraising committee was quarterbacked by John Wiens. His team worked professionally, approaching donors from Ottawa to the various corners of NOTL. People today should somehow thank the many donors.
What a smashing success we have in our town. The community centre is just that. The centre of our community. So many activities and opportunities to spend time with friends and strangers.
Leafing through the town’s 2026 spring/summer community guide, how about adult ballet, classic line dancing and Nia with Didi and Anne? What’s not to love in this town?
Mahjong, euchre, chess, more board games.The Ephemera Club. By now most of us will need to pause for a refreshment.
Attached to the community centre is Sweets & Swirls Cafe. Bright and cheery with lots of windows, freshly baked goods, soups, salads and sandwiches. And deservedly busy so much of the time. Hats off to Erinn, Roumania and Elena for always being so welcoming.
Still looking for activities? Badminton, carpet bowling or outdoor bowling. And in capital letters there are lots of hours set aside for pickleball. An ongoing saga, and such a great game. It will somehow flourish here.
Our NOTL Community Centre is one big building. Somehow, it is kept spotlessly clean. Blake Duroucher and his co-workers scrub it stem to stern, both floors, every day, including the oval track and work out area.
And they are totally organized setting up for the various functions, activities and events. Just think of moving all those tables and chairs.
Adding to the feel-good ambience at our community centre is the busy-ness of the adjacent Niagara Nursery School and Child Care Centre. Their slogan is “Learning Through Play.”
An unsung absolute hero of this school is Miss Wendy, involved for over 25 years, with the immense responsibility of organizing drop-off and pick-up.
She could teach the valets at any Ritz Carlton, who deal mostly with adults and limousines, a thing or three about safety and efficiency and fairness. Hundreds, no thousands, of local children have come to love and respect Miss Wendy and her team over the years.
This is such a great town. Take some time and visit our community centre. Read the plaques, and absorb the ambience of this happening place.
So much to feel good about.
And, be extra kind this week.
