LIONS DEN The Fairmont and District Lions Club celebrate the opening of its new community centre on June 24th. Photo submitted
By Dan Walton
Pioneer Staff
The community of Fairmont Hot Springs experiences ongoing benefits thanks to the efforts and fundraisers delivered by the Fairmont and District Lions Club, which up until recently has been without a den.
Up until now, Fairmont was the only community that didnt have a community centre between Brisco and Canal Flats, said Norbert Schab, Fairmont Lions member and new hall project chair.
Following a first attempt by the retired group Club 50, years of patience found the Fairmont Lions a new home at 5003 Hot Springs Road, between Tonys Greek Grill and the Smoking Waters Cafe.
The purpose of the place is to be a community hall for the small groups and organizations in Fairmont, said Mr. Schab.
Because Fairmont is an unincorporated community, there is no municipal government to take on such a project. And during the time the Lions persevered in bringing a community den to life, the community was behind them every step.
Several local businesses did the work we hired them to do and then said, Okay, thats no charge. The support was truly unbelievable, Mr.
Schab said.
Due to the substantial cost of property, the Lions werent expecting to purchase a hall until a much later date. But when an ideal property became available for a reasonable price last year, the Lions knew they couldnt let it get away. In less than a year, the service club managed to accumulate more than double the funds they had already raised to pay the $210,000 price tag in April.
The Lions community den opened on Saturday, June 22nd, and held the official ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, June 24th.
Between 80-90 guests attended the ribbon cutting, a turnout Mr. Schab was very pleased with.
The new den has created a positive upswing in membership and enthusiasm. Those interested in joining can attend the new headquarters on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. for the clubs bi-monthly meetings.
