Kennebec Recreation Thanks Long Serving Executive Members

Jeff Green | Jun 19, 2024

The Kennebec Recreation Committee has been a force in the Arden/Mountain Grove community for many years, keeping the Kennebec Recreation Centre and Kennebec Park busy year round, with events designed to promote an active lifestyle for young and old.

Last week, a special event was held to mark a transition on the committee. Some long serving executive members on the committee have stepped back after years of service, and in their honour an afternoon tea was held, in the building that they have spent so much of their time over the years, the Kennebec Hall.

Dave and Sylvia Swan, Wanda Harrison and Lorne Hiltz, Cindy Kelsey and Jack Nicolson were all on hand to have tea, and cake, and to accept thanks from a grateful community and the township.

Some of them have been active locally for a very long time, sitting on the committee since the early 90s in some cases, and others have been central to the committee's work over the last 10 or 15 years.

Central Frontenac Mayor Frances Smith, and councillor Lynne Klages were on hand to represent the township. Cindy Kelsey is the other councillor for the area, so she did double duty because she was one of the people being thanked.

“It was a good opportunity to acknowledge what has come before, and also look forward as people have come on to keep the committee going,” said Klages.

The most recent Spaghetti Dinner at the hall was full to capacity, raising $2,600 for committee activities, and the next initiative is the purchase and installation of a Starlink receiver, to provide free, 24 hour wifi in the hall and its parking lot, for community use. The township will cover the ongoing cost of the service.

In addition to ongoing activities in the hall, four events are scheduled for this summer. They are: A Youth Canoe Course (Ages 12-17) on July 13, at Springwood Cottages, a Pickleball Tournament (Ages 55+) at the Kennebec Sports Centre on July 20, a Triathlon (3 categories for all ages) at Springwood Cottages on July 27, and a Cornhole Tournament (all ages) at the Kennebec Sports Centre on August 11.

Ongoing weekly activities at the hall include: yoga, tai chi, kids club and ball hockey, among others.