PRESS RELEASES
Civic centre campaign officially launched - Posted on 2008-04-17
Civic centre campaign officially launched; Recreation Officials say $15- million complex could be open by 2012
New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Page: C8
Section: News
Byline: MARY-ELLEN SAUNDERS TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
A third of the goal had already been reached when the Charlotte County Civic Centre committee launched its $3.5-million fundraising campaign on Wednesday morning.
The launch was held at the St. Stephen Elementary School Cafetorium, and the campaign thermometer, with $1.2-million in the bank, was unveiled.
Designs for the $15-million civic centre were on display around the room as a video about the project played in the background.
The proposed civic centre is expected to feature an NHL-sized ice surface that will seat 1,500, an eight-lane, 25-metre training pool, a walking and jogging track, a multi-purpose space, and a new home for the Charlotte County Boys and Girls Club. The committee has received a $2.1-million promise from the town of St. Stephen. It is also seeking $4.7 million from each of the provincial and federal governments, while the remainder will come from the fundraising campaign.
Project president Richard Fulton answered the two most frequently asked questions by stating that the civic centre would be up and running by 2012 or later and a location had not yet been chosen.
Diane and David Ganong were introduced as the campaign's honorary co-chairs. They are also the people behind collecting a good portion of the donations so far.
David Ganong announced the largest donation so far - $173,000 - has come from Robert Quartermain, a Vancouver resident and president of a large silver company.
"I knew Bob Quartermain through connections with the University of New Brunswick," said David Ganong. "I first asked him to join the honorary committee and explained the project and he came back and said 'Gee, I'm not sure if I have the time, but here is a donation."
"It happened within hours," said Diane Ganong.
David Ganong said Quartermain's family has deep roots in St. Stephen and he wanted to have his family name continued on in the town and improve the community he came from.
The Ganongs have a similar reason for donating their time to the project. With competition to attract new residents and medical professionals to the area, the Ganongs told the crowd they think a civic centre would bring more people to Charlotte County. With health becoming an issue for youth and seniors, Diane Ganong said the civic centre will not only be a building, but a place where families can be together and improve their health.
"As the saying goes, if you don't do it for yourself, do it for your children, do it for your grandchildren," said Diane Ganong.
The launch is the beginning of a campaign that aims to gather donations from businesses and individuals. The committee has set up different sub-committees to deal with gifts according to size.
Campaign co-chairs Peter and Norah Heelis said money is obviously important when it comes to the campaign but what is more important is community involvement. Every person who becomes involved will see the centre as theirs and help sustain it for years to come.
The Heelis said Wednesday was a starting point to build on and they will be targeting St. Stephen and surrounding communities in Charlotte and Washington counties to help out.
"We have some very capable people on board on the Calais side and they are committed to this project," said Peter Heelis. "They have not initiated any fundraising on that side yet, but they will."
While no provincial or federal politicians attended the event, Greg Thompson, MP for Southwest New Brunswick, Premier Shawn Graham, and Rick Doucet, MLA of Fundy-the Isles sent letters of support.
Committee chairs said after speaking to federal and provincial politicians and reading their letters they believe that when the time comes they will be there to support the project financially.
The same message was reinforced after every speech given on Wednesday morning: "We will make it happen."
© 2008 Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick)