Ontario Hansard - 05-April2005

BOBCAYGEON-VERULAM
COMMUNITY CENTRE

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): This past weekend I joined with people from throughout my riding to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bobcaygeon-Verulam Community Centre. On April 2, we were treated to figure skating presentations, hockey games, public skating, music performed by the Bobcaygeon Olde Tymers and a colour party from the local Legion branch.
In the past 50 years, the community centre has served as an anchor point for many local activities, drawing people together to share in hockey, skating, curling, dances and carnivals. It has instilled pride in the community by hosting hockey, figure skating and curling championships and, of course, the famous Bobcaygeon fiddle and step dance contests.

I grew up in the area and attended the community centre all my life. My father, Bill Scott, refereed many a hockey game there.

The community centre helped to put Bobcaygeon on the map as it hosted thousands of visitors to the Bobcaygeon fall fair. The fall fair board originally owned the building and deeded it to the community centre's use. The Honourable Leslie Frost, Premier of Ontario, opened it 50 years ago.

Community centres play an important role in smaller communities, and this is no exception. It is a place where people met new friends, and a place where people could give back to their community by participating in one of the many charitable events.

The Bobcaygeon-Verulam Community Centre was a place to see big-time entertainers such as Don Messer, Whipper Billy Watson, Tommy Hunter, Stompin' Tom Connors or the Tragically Hip. It was a place to cheer on the local hockey teams.

On Saturday night, we saw the next generation at the centre lacing up their skates. Here's to the next 50 years at the Bobcaygeon-Verulam Community Centre.