The meeting opened with MPres Trudy & PP Phyo joining via Zoom from Blue Mountain. After a spirited rendition of O Canada, the meeting began with breakfast being prepared by Eric for the last time. Barry also joined by Zoom from his hospital bed! Still keeping that perfect attendance record! Pres Elect Ken then introduced the guest presenters, particularly Ken Howe whose career as an elementary teacher, coach and activist for important causes has resulted in major achievements such as the indoor track at the Wellington (Lehigh) Arena and the establishment of the Love Song project to convert the former Pinecrest Elementary school into co-housing.
Ken introduced his colleague in the leadership of Love Song, Donna Rogers, who spoke subsequently, and explained the idea of converting the school into affordable housing for seniors including medical, personal care and other services accessible to the wider community. Demographic changes in the County have forced the closure of many schools and the buildings can be in good enough shape to be suitable for conversion to other uses, such as Pinecrest in Bloomfield. The content of Donna’s presentation is included here as exerpted from a recent press release:
LoveSong Seniors Housing and Community Hub project announces major progress! The LoveSongHousing Team consisting of Donna Rodgers, John Uings, Paul Robinson, Ken How, Andy Spry, and countless others, are pleased to announce the recent progress on the LoveSong Affordable Housing Project. This is an independent non-profit housing project spearheaded by Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield and volunteers from Prince Edward County. Our team would like the community to know of our accomplishments in the last few months.
1. A beautiful new red steel roof on the pavilion was generously donated by Picton Home Hardware’s Adam Busscher, and it was installed by Harlan and Dominick of Brough Roofing.
2. The renovation got a huge boost by a team of five student summer workers funded by the Federal Government Canada Summer Jobs Program. The workers spent 1,300 hours clearing out the building in preparation for the next stage of renovating the classrooms into 50 affordable co-housing units.
3. We are also pleased to announce we were successful in our application for Federal SEED funding from Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. These funds will assist in obtaining the required completion of the design drawings which include a commercial kitchen, medical and or office centre, and community hub for recreation and sports, which will be open to the public. This will be stage one of multiple phases of buildings on the 20-acre property.
Under the management of Springale Development, great care is being taken to employ a low carbon footprint by installing energy efficient solar power and gray water recovery, all in an attempt to implement the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) in this adaptive reuse project.
Further information is available on the project, donations and expressions of interest for accommodations can be directed to www.lovesonghousing.org or contact Ken How at 613-476-0161 or kenjanhow@yahoo.com.
Several points were raised in a question period which followed. The only two requirements for residents will be that they are at least 65 and living in the County. The project was initiated by the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Bloomfield but it is now quite separate and there are no religious affiliations with it. The goal is to be ready for occupancy by the end of 2022. Ken and Donna were thanked by Pres Elect Ken.
In Club business, Bill up-dated on the current situation and circulated a sign-up sheet. Colin shared that preparations for the Golf Tournament are proceeding well. Attendees at the dinner in the Legion are to be double-vaccinated. Club members including MPres Trudy will attend the Foundation Walk on Sept 26. Two sub-committees were struck to organise the Friends of Rotary celebration at Lyn’s on October 3 and the Memorial Garden Dedication on the 17th. Members volunteered for both. MPres Trudy congratulated PPres Howard on his work that meant the Club received a District Citation for meeting its goals in 2020/21. Charles was roundly congratulated on his 96th birthday and Linda shared that the children of the Syrian family that arrived this year are all having ESL support.
After the usual protocols, the meeting ended at 8.15.
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