I found the wording in the Publisher’s Column in Issue #4 of the Bruce Peninsula Press, regarding the Lion’s Head Friendship Club building, to be a little daunting. Using words like “money pit” or “decrepit” – I’m not sure what that means in regards to our building.
First, I do not feel that the cost to maintain the Friendship Club by the Municipality is that great at this time. We pay our own Hydro, heat, insurance, cleaning, and try to do as much as we can to maintain the building. We have just redone the kitchen, on our own, and bought new tables, fridge, freezer, equipment and all our supplies.
In the last two years we have not asked the Municipality for any money, as many of the other buildings and clubs on the peninsula have.
It is very hard to attract new people to our club when you are saying it is decrepit.
I’m not sure what that means – the building is very efficient at serving over 1,000 visits per month, 12 months of the year, making it one of the busiest municipal buildings on the peninsula, other than the arena. These visits are made up of 134 paid active memberships.
We also have many non-members that come out to our activities. The community also rents this facility for birthday parties, dinners, funerals, etc.
Would you rent a decrepit building?
This article has upset our members who have brought this to our attention. Maybe you should pay a visit and see our building in action.
You spoke of the roof! The roof is steel – it has many years left, as I am to understand it is the trusses that are a concern. We have seen no report on this even though we have requested it.
They may not be up to the standards of today, and many of our buildings are not. If you want to know what is behind the panels many of us could tell you.
This is a home away for our seniors from all over the peninsula, from Dyers Bay to Pike Bay. There is no other place for them to go on the peninsula at this end. Please respect our second home.
Maxine Catteau
President
Lion’s Head Friendship Club
