AMHERST – Several years ago the Amherst Lions Club announced plans to redevelop the former West Highland Elementary School property into a bigger and better park than the one they had further up Hickman Street.
That plan got a significant boost early Tuesday when members of the Community Credit Union presented a $100,000 donation to the Lions that will be used to help build a new change house and washroom facility at the park as well as security equipment to monitor the property.
“This is a huge contribution to the project and allows us to complete a lot of the work we’re doing much earlier than planned,” Lions park committee member and longtime Amherst Lion Art ‘Sonny’ Foster said. “We really appreciate this.”
The club is partway through the multi-year project that it’s completing in partnership with the Town of Amherst. Work on the park began in late 2016 and continued in earnest last summer with the placement of playground equipment, a walking track, benches and a tennis court.
Work has continued this year with the erection of shelters while tenders have been called for the construction of the change house and washrooms facility.
Future plans include the construction of a splash pad next summer that will be similar to what’s at Dickey Park. There are also plans to install basketball courts as well.
Sarah Doyle, the Community Credit Union’s branch and community development manager, said it was an easy decision to support the Amherst Lions Club because the organization is all about supporting the community.
“When the Lions club approached us with their plans for the park it impressed us,” said Doyle, who was joined by several board members in presenting the giant cheque to the Lions. “It’s a park that caters to everyone from all walks of life and from all age groups including children and families and seniors. There’s something here for everyone.”
Community Credit Union board chairman Howard Welch said the park is what the credit union is all about – serving the community.
“When we have the opportunity to do something like this it’s a true pleasure,” he said. “This is a beautiful piece of property and everyone involved should be extremely proud of what they have accomplished.”
The Community Credit Union’s president and CEO Darrell Kuhn said serving the community is part of his organization’s DNA.
“It’s what we do,” Kuhn said. “We work hard to support the communities that we belong to and we’re so happy to be able to support this project that will touch the lives of so many in this community.”
Kuhn said the credit union’s profits remain in the community with more than 50 per cent of its surplus being re-invested in the community. He said the Lions club is also a credit union member and the organization appreciates everything it has done
Amherst Mayor David Kogon applauded the Lions for their continued work in the community.
“The Lions have always been there for the community and to see the credit union coming up with this amount of money is incredible,” Kogon said. “It shows the tremendous community spirit that we have in Amherst. It makes me proud to be the mayor.”
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
