Praise abounds as Rotary Youth Centre is dedicated
By MARK PAVILONS Editor

Bob Smith (centre) received his third Paul Harris Fellow, Sapphire, from incoming Rotary International president Wilf Wilkinson (left), and he received congratulations Peel chair Emil Kolb.

Bolton Rotary's significant contribution received praise from the organization's highest official last week. Wilfred (Wilf) Wilkinson, president-elect of Rotary International, was on hand during the dedication ceremony of the Bolton Rotary Youth Centre, the multi-milliondollar facility slated to open later this spring.

Wilkinson said the new facility takes everyone into consideration in the community. "It's significant to see what has been accomplished by Rotary working in the community," he said.

The youth centre has a substantial amount of space dedicated to the local Guides and Scouts. Wilkinson admitted Scouting was always a big part of his life and actually led him to his four-plus decades in Rotary. "Youth is our future," he said. By providing them with support, encouragement, and facilities such as this, our youth will go on to build bigger and better gymnasiums in the years to come.

Rotarians, politicians and members of Guiding and Scouting gathered to mark the dedication of the Bolton Rotary Youth Centre.

Wilkinson took the opportunity to honour a long-serving Rotarian with his Sapphire - 3rd Paul Harris Fellow - Rotary's highest honour. (In clubs where the title is earned, this is almost unheard of.) Bob Smith was pleased to receive the award, noting his enthusiasm for Rotary is as strong today as it always has been over his 47-year involvement in the organization. He's pleased that Rotary has done so well and accomplished so much. The humble 83-yearold was Bolton's longestserving pharmacist and has been active with the Caledon seniors through Rotary Place since its inception.

Mayor Marolyn Morrison congratulated the Rotarians' tremendous contribution, noting this project has generated tremendous goodwill and new friendships.

"We, as a Town, couldn't have done this alone," she observed, adding Rotary brought all the parties together.

There were many "champions" on this project and the mayor singled out two hard-working individuals. She praised councillor Annette Groves for her tireless efforts, acting as a bridge between Town staff, Rotary and community groups. She also lauded Rotarian Ross Gray who took the lead on this project. She called him the "ideal Rotarian" who's an "incredible asset to the community." He spent countless hours spent to get the job done. "Ross, you are a treasure for Caledon," she said.

Ross Gray took residents on a tour of the youth centre, stopping to show off the size of the gymnasium.

Bolton Rotary president Scott Hurren noted he remembered being in the 1st Bolton Scouts some 20 years ago, struggling to find meeting and storage space throughout Bolton, using schools and churches.

The new, state-of-the-art facility is not just a building, but a new home to Scouting and other community groups. The project became a reality thanks to hard work, community support and very generous financial donations.

Hurren, too, offered high praise for Gray as the visionary of this project. From co-ordinating participants and supporters to even overseeing the construction on a regular basis, Gray epitomizes the "passion of a true Rotarian."

Gray was among several Rotarians who took dignitaries and members of the public on a walking tour of the massive, 21,000- square-foot centre, attached to the east side of the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness. It actually dwarfs the Wellness Centre in many regards. Of particular note is the cavernous, 5,600- square-foot gymnasium, complete with drop-down insulated curtain dividers.

Everything in the building is solid and oversized. "It's built like a tank," Gray said. "We didn't miss a trick."

Another interesting feature is a large meeting room in the basement, that can be divided into six, three, two or one room, again with insulated room dividers. The building also features pre-cast 12-inch slabs as for floors and ceilings. Gray also noted it's a "green" building with extra insulation and energy efficient lighting.

The Rotary Club's wheel symbol and the name will be installed on the canopy above the east main entrance of the new expansion. The facility as a whole will remain known as the Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness.

In January 2006, council approved a partnership proposal by the Rotary Club of Bolton to construct a gymnasium and program space for community youth groups as an addition to the Caledon Centre for Recreation & Wellness.