Frank presiding

Greeter Richard Hebert introduced guests:

Cheryl Dick

Ted Stilson

Kathy Hopkins

Dave Mitchell

Dave Cronkite

• Visiting Rotarians

• Brian Treadwell

• Greg Weadick

• Bill Mains

• Bob Hironaka

• Bev Atherstone Muendel

SAA Report

Kendall enthused happy bucks from Lottie whose daughter has been accepted by several universities.  Brent who is happy to be going to Ottawa to argue the need for Customs in Lethbridge.  Doug McArthur is happy that Romeo is going to be 33% of the new quartet (new math?).  Gord Jong is happy that his stolen car was located through his On-Star system.  Ed N. is happy that he and his staff won Nissan Presidential Awards.  One back table was asleep at the switch, so all members paid a happy buck.  Joe M. was happy to pay only 6.00 USD for 9 holes of golf in Arizona.  Darrell is happy that his friends from the city arrived to do today's presentation.  Wayne S. was happy that Duncan L. received recognition by Coaldale CofC. Helen was happy for the same reason.  Ollie R. is glad to be back from BC and get the BLOOD cleaned off his unregistered golf clubs.  Gord Lowe said the happy birthday song for a guy that was not even attending the meeting was a nice sentiment but the singing was for-Lorne.  Nancy is happy the U of L budget balanced and equally happy that her mother is pregnant again.  Irish Killoran is happy that a great Home Show is over and paid a happy buck to tell us there is a branch of his bank in Standoff, near where Gord's car was recovered.  Chris M. was happy to have Gord's car back and also happy to have been awarded a Presidential Triple Crown.  John Hoopfer is happy that the Sunrise club now sings O Canada AND the singing grace to the accompaniment of the TUBA.  That takes up the whole hour.  Lloyd is happy to be back from Cuba where he was visiting his cousin, Fidel.  Dennis Chinner is happy the Cancer Kickers raised $20,000.  Kendall is happy to have his seventh grandchild.  He fined Linda Storoz for having a chili air about her.

Group Study Exchange

Bob Hironaka says five of his cousins are coming from Ukraine on May 17.  Billets will be needed Sat, Sun, Mon and Tuesday.  Sjoert Zuidhof volunteered to help out with organising.

Hanski Talk

After last week's talk, she went home and slept until Tuesday.  Karlin took her snowboarding to Castle Mtn. She has six more Rotary vests in production which will be ready next week.  Hanski will be participating in a competition to design, pattern and sew a garment in five and a half hours.  Hanski has moved to the Holland house where she got a warm welcome.  Anybody who finds a Finnish-to-English dictionary could please bring it back.

Testimonial

Frank testifies that Hanski didn't need to measure him for a vest but it fit perfectly.  Murray denies making any rude comment about Calgary Tent and Awning.

Legacy Project

Darrell Alexander introduced the Centennial project concept which would partner with the City of Lethbridge, Downtown revitalization, and other community partners to develop Galt Gardens.  The city has offered us a $200,000 interest-free loan as seed money.  The project would extend over the rest of President Vasil's term, Bernie Carriere's term and Darrell's term. 

Fundraising

Jack Yaeck has full confidence that we can raise that kind of money in one, two, or three big fundraisers such as car or home lotteries.

City Presentation

Kathy Hopkins, Lethbridge Community Service Director, Dave Cronkite, Coordinator of Planning and Development, and Dave Mitchell from Parks presented the pitch for Galt Gardens Redevelopment.

Galt Gardens

Built in the late 1800's on land donated by the Galt family for a perpetual park.  It is the only downtown park, and played an important part of city life until suburban growth.  It hosted celebrations, baseball games, a circus, the cenotaph, the landmark locomotive, band concerts and races, to mention a few. 

The Galt Gardens Revitalization Project started in the late 1980's through community involvement.  A 1990 master plan saw the Phase one Pergola built in 1991.  It has been used for band concerts and other productions.  Suggestions for further development include:

• Stage

• Pond

• Skating Rink

• Band Shell

• Play Unit

• Spray Park

Revitalization

Public activity and numbers using the facilities will displace any negatives that presently inhabit the park, and help the general downtown revitalization. 

Where Are The Bucks?

Funds generated will attract matching grants that will multiply seed dollars.  Plans will expand to accommodate funds raised.

Next Week

Part B of the Legacy Project presentation, and a motion. 

Rotary Bridge

Saturday, March 29, - Bridge At John & Elsie Keenan's. Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: 23 Kings Crescent South RSVP: Please call the Keenans at 320-9000 to reserve your place at the table!  Jamie, please leave your knives at home.

"We endeavor to tell the truth in all reporting." 

E-mail
Rainy Day Digital