Newletter March 09

The Friends of Chippewa Park

Volume 5 Issue Winter, 2009

P ARK N OTES Annual General Meeting of The Friends of Chippewa Park

Message from the President

Well, it’s that time of year again, time for the annual general meeting (please see left for information). There are new amendments to vote on, and there will be 2-3 board positions up for renewel, so be sure to come and vote on them as well. You may also want to nominate someone for the opening positions. We Please join us for The are always looking for and welcoming fresh input from our memFriends of Chippewa Park’s bers! General Meeting Wednesday March 25th The past year saw a lot of work done at the park. Some of CAW Building it includes the finishing of the drainage and leveling/seeding of 112 West Gore St. the beach area. No contaminated creek water will be able to en7:00pm ter the bay, so we should not have any beach closures this year. New amendments to vote The R.V. Park is nearing completion with full service camp sties on, and elections to take and refurbished shower and change rooms being available by place. mid June if all goes according to plan. See you there!

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!! Remember Individual Memberships are $10 a year and Family Memberships at $25 a year. Please use the form on the back page or call Bernice Woods at 622-8300.

Stay in Touch Stay up to date with Chippewa park by joining the Chippewa Park group on facebook www.facebook.com or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com. Share stories, upload photos, learn the latest news!

There is more to report with this being presented at the meeting. Please plan to attend and show your support for the park. A family fun day is going to take place on June 28th sponsored by Bill Beavis and Family, so please mark this date on your calendars as there will be lots going on that day (see special Family Fun Day article later in this newsletter). There are many other really exciting events that we have planned so be sure to keep your ear out. Hope you will all enjoy the wonderful changes that have been occurring here at Chippewa Park, and I look forward to seeing everyone out at the Annual General Meeting! Thank you, Bill Lafontaine — President

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Chippewa’s RV Park Opening for 2009 Season! In the late1950s, Chippewa Park opened the original RV Park, which was demolished in 2003 with hopes of rebuilding immediately. After some delays we were able to secure funding from Job Creation Partnership, under Employment Ontario, and the City of Thunder Bay. With these monies The Friends of Chippewa Park have been working diligently to create a full service RV park with access to a dumping station, water hookups, 50 amp services, showers and washrooms . A work crew of 7 plus 1 supervisor has been employed since June 2008 and our hopes are to have the RV Park open no later than June 2009. Not only is the RV Park being restructured physically (renovated shower building, new modern RV sites, approximately 90 larger conifers and deciduous trees) but it is being restructured to offer a differentiated experience, capitalizing on personal service, the historical nature of Chippewa Park itself, and its unique location in one of the most attractive parts of the region, along the shoreline of Lake Superior. Our plan is to become more than just a typical RV Park. We plan to create an environment that surpasses the standard fare for campgrounds in the area. If you’re looking for a beautiful getaway, Chippewa Park is just around the corner, but you’ll feel miles away from home! Check out our website www.chippewapark.ca for regular updates this spring.

2009 Internship Director of Marketing and Events The Friends of Chippewa Park are pleased to announce their newest employee Kelsey Agnew as the Director of Marketing & Events. This year TFOCP accessed the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund’s Youth Internship and Co-Op Program. This program is designed to give young northerners the opportunity to build skills in preparation for a rewarding and successful future career. The NOHF’s investment in Northern Ontario’s youth helps generate a skilled workforce and provides employment right here in the North. A big thank you to the NOHF for such a wonderful opportunity.

Greetings everyone! I am very excited to have been hired on for the next year, and plan to work very hard to ensure TFOCP continue to have a positive impact this summer. I started my one year contract on February 2nd, 2009. Currently I am working on developing a business plan to gain operating control of the concession; finalizing and implementing the RV Park’s marketing plan; organizing a booth at the 2009 Wedding Show and; applying for two summer student positions. Other major projects that I will be working on include re-introducing last year’s Adopt an Animal campaign; the initial planning of Chippewa Park’s 90th Birthday Party; lending support to this year’s Sunday in the Park’s and many more.

Tell Me Your Stories! As a new resident of Thunder Bay I would love for you to share any stories or memories you have of Chippewa Park. Please email them to [email protected] or mail them to 307 Euclid Avenue Suite 473, Thunder Bay, ON., P7E 6G6. We will publish them in future newsletters, post them to our web site, chippewapark.ca and place them in a book of remembrances at the interpretive centre.

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Amendments to the By-Laws The following are amendments that were recently accepted by The Friends of Chippewa Park’s executive, but must also be voted upon by our members in good standing. As a member you will have the chance to vote and voice your opinion on the following at the Annual General Meeting (see 1st page). •

Insert the words “past president” before the word “president” in clause 26.

26. The officers of the corporation shall be a past president, president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, membership chair and publicity/marketing chair and any such other officers as the board of directors may by by-law determine. Any two offices may be held by the same person. Officers need not be directors, or members. Any entertainer who is interested or

Sundays in the Park Call For Entertainment!

•

Include the following in clause 27: “The position of past president shall be filled by the most recent president following the completion of his/her term of office and shall remain in that position until the current president retires. In the event that the most recent president is unavailable or unwilling to perform the function of past president, the Board of Directors shall appoint the past past president to the position of past president.”

27. The president and all other officers shall be elected at an annual meeting of members from among the directors. •

knows someone who is interested in becoming a part of our Sunday concert series should e-mail The Friends of Chippewa Park at

[email protected]. Series will run from Sunday June 21st to Sunday August 30th. Buskers are welcome and encouraged to come out and play during the concert series!

Let the music take you away!

Insert new clause 33 into By-Laws and all further clauses be renumbered accordingly:

33. (New) The past president shall be a full voting member of the Board of Directors and shall provide general and specific advice to the President to assist them in the performance of their duties.

Weddings At Chippewa Sunday March 29th TFOCP will be promoting Chippewa Park as a Summer Wedding site. You can find us from 11:00am-4:00pm at the DaVinci Centre.

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Déjà vu Day & Reunions! Relive the past this summer by participating in Déjà vu Day! Work your old job, or come out and watch everyone else perform their old duties. You certainly won’t want to miss the Lafontaine brothers manning the lifeguard post! If you would like to sign up to work at you’re old job, contact the Friends of Chippewa Park and tell us what you did in the good ol’ days. This event will kick off a series of reunions that will be held at Chippewa Park in the summer of 2011—our 90th birthday. • Day Camp Reunion • Workers • one for Sandy & Chippewa campers • Park Staff • Playground Leaders who trained at Chippewa Park • Girl Guides • Tourists If you can think of a group that should be getting back together in 2011 please let us know. A facebook page has already been established to advertise for the day camp reunion—check it out via www.chippewapark.ca! ‘Thunder Bay Chippewa Park Day Camp Reunion’! More information to come.

Major Events at Chippewa Park There is always something to do at Chippewa Park, whether it’s swimming, hiking, having a picnic or visiting the wildlife park and amusement rides! Here are some major events that you won’t want to miss out on:

Benny Birch’s Birthday Party June 11th—15th

North American Dog Agility Council June 19th-20th

Chippewa Fun Day June 28th

Classic Cruisers July 19th

K-9 Studio Agility Dogs Association August 21st

Birthday Committee Request TFOCP have started preparing for Chippewa Park’s 90th Birthday in 2011. We are looking for a couple of interested members to join our Birthday Committee to help plan and organize the birthday party. Anyone who is interested please call or e-mail the Friends of Chippewa Park! Tel: 807-623-5111 EMail: [email protected]

Buildings Done In the fall of 2008 the final park building was converted to the historic half log sided natural wood look. The toboggan slide chalet (or for the historians out there - the Fort William Yacht Club) was clad in half log siding by our Job Creation Partnership Crew. New skirting was also installed and the building’s foundations stabilized. This was the last of the public park buildings to be treated this way. In addition, during the summer and fall upwards of 13 buildings, including the 7 new cabins and the pavilion were re-coated to continue the protection of the wood.

Friends Surpass $6 million Last year’s construction program along with the extensions into this winter have resulted in The Friends of Chippewa Park having surpassed the $6 million mark in terms of funds raised and invested in this fantastic family park. Funding from the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation, the City of Thunder Bay, Bruno’s Contracting and Employment Ontario under the Job Creation Partnership program has taken us over the top. Considering that we only started our work in 2002 it has been a remarkable success story in terms of a small, but committed organization. But more needs to be done and additional funding applications have been submitted to a number of organi-

zations.

Explanation of Pictures Above: Re-finished Toboggan Chalet Left: Construction on the updated wash/change rooms at the RV Park. Looking good!

Chippewa Fun Day! On June 28th, Bill Beavis and his family have dedicated their time and energy into creating a Chippewa Fun Day event at Chippewa Park. The day will be filled with games for all ages, free coffee and cake, over 400 prizes for the children and 60 prizes for the adults—grand prize is a weekend for four at Sturgeon Lake Lodge!

Festivities start at 11:00am and run till 4:00pm. Like many people, Bill Beavis fondly recalls the many summers he spent out at Chippewa Park with family and friends. Riding the electric street car to the park to spend the day, or watching the fireworks displays on Canada Day. When asked why Bill decided to plan Chippewa’s Fun Day he said he wanted to show his support for The Friends of Chippewa Park and his love for the Park. After working as the manager of Parks and Recreation for 13 years, he certainly has an attachment to the park. With much community support, promotion through out the city, and a three year commitment for an annual fun day, the day is sure to promise FUN! Bill’s excitement for the fun day is very infectious and has got myself, and the board members anticipating an incredible success. We look forward to spending the day with you and your family!

Membership Benefits Being a member to The Friends of Chippewa Park is a gratifying service—the money you contribute goes into the overall success of Chippewa Park. In return we are able to host events through out the summer and offer you and your family a chance to make memories. Tangibly, you will be given: a membership card verifying your commitment; 10% off TFOCP merchandise and; the opportunity to participate in the Good Life Program (see below)! To re-new your membership call Bernice at 622-8300. To become a first time member fill out the last page of the newsletter!

Through the World Wildlife Fund, the Good Life Program gives us as members of TFOCP to make “every hour earth hour”! Head to their website: http://thegoodlife.wwf.ca/Home.cfm to sign up and at the bottom choose “Friends of Chippewa Park” as your group. Together we’ll not only make a difference here at Chippewa Park but globally! Being Green isn’t so hard when we’re working together :) If you have any questions call or e-mail me, Kelsey, at 623-5111 or [email protected].

The Beach is Done! Thanks to a grant from the Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation along with a generous contribution of equipment from Bruno’s Contracting and a group of dedicated volunteers we have completed all of the major changes to the beach. This past fall we exAbove and Below: Reconstruction of the beach. Get prepared for endless swimming this summer! tended the storm sewer to now capture all of the ditches flowing onto the beach. This means that 100% of the runoff that used to enter the swimming area is now diverted to the north side of the rock dock. We removed the toboggan slide hill and re-landscaped that area. We also backfilled the remainder of the beach, graded it, added topsoil and seeded it. We expect the beach to be a sea of grass once the park opens in May. We will be adding in a walking trail along the retaining wall in the spring.

We Love Chippewa Park! The Friends of Chippewa Park work together to revive this beautiful Thunder Bay destination to it’s greatest potential. For generations friends and families have visited to park and cherish the memories that have been made. We encourage anyone who has a story to tell to e-mail us so we can archive it, post it on the website and circulate it in our newsletter. Your enthusiasm means everything! A very big thank you to Jen Kennedy for sharing her thoughts. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, she frequented the park as a child and has carried on the tradition by brining her 5 children to the park! “Dear Friends of Chippewa Park

I’d like to send you my testimonial of my visits to the park over the years. I love this park. I have camped here all my life as a child in the RV park and as an adult with my kids in the rustic cabins and tent spots we have made so many memories over the years at the park that we now come back each year for a week stay and lots of weekend visits. We are also very happy about all the work being done and I am so excited to hear the old rustic cabins are staying YAY!!! The animal park and rides are also an added bonus and a favorite of the kids and they love the surprise ride and animal park tickets they receive when going to the camp office to buy something keep that up!!! The view of Sleeping Giant is like no other and the day camp spots have been home to many of our summer gatherings and birthday parties. Keep up the good work and I cant wait for the 2009 season to start YAY CHIPPEWA PARK!!! Jen Kennedy :)”

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Buy a Board Campaign - $25/BOARD: For each board you will receive a charitable tax receipt, a certificate suitable for framing & a small plaque mounted on an interior wall in the pavilion under a heading indicating that these people are Friends of Chippewa Park and contributed to its reconstruction. The name on the plaque will also be placed on our web site www.chippewapark.ca The satisfaction of knowing that you helped restore this great park to its original glory. Buy a Tree Campaign- $250/TREE: It started with Trees Thunder Bay and continues today. For $250 you can have a tree planted at Chippewa Park as part of our landscaping plan. To-date we have had over 40 trees planted through the combined efforts of a number of organizations and volunteers. Membership and Volunteers - $10/PERSON/YEAR, $25/FAMILY/YEAR: The strength of The Friends of Chippewa Park comes from its members. We need to continue to show Council and other Governments that we are a membership based organization. Joining us keeps that strength where we need it. Volunteers are what drive the organization. From time to time we draw on our members to help out—anything from supervising at events, to fund raising, to construction cleanup. Please indicate how you are willing to help us. Please fill in the attached form and mail it to The Friends of Chippewa Park, 307 Euclid Avenue Suite 473, Thunder Bay, ON., P7E 6G6 along with a cheque made payable to The Friends of Chippewa Park.

Please circle what your cheque is for:

Membership

Board

Tree

Donation

Name ___________________________________ Phone Number ____________________ (the name of the person who will receive the income tax receipt) Address______________________________________________ Postal Code___________ City _____________________________________ Please print the name or names as you wish to see them on the plaque. Keep in mind that the plaques are small and that the more names (and therefore letters) to be put on the plaque the smaller the printing will become. You may wish to add a saying before the name such as “In the Memory Of”, or a title ‘ride operator’ as a way of celebrating your personal link to the park.

Board 1 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME) Board 2 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME) Board 3 __________________________________________________(PRINT NAME) Board 4 __________________________________________________ (PRINT NAME) No. Boards Please feel free to use an additional piece of paper to order additional Boards. If you have any questions please call Bernice at 622-8300

I volunteer to: __________________________________________________________________________