by Jo Barnes –
It’s your anniversary! Let’s see … you’ve got the decorations, refreshments, music and … the entire town is invited?!
That’s what Brad Edgett, Executive Director of Mary Winspear Centre, is enthusiastically facing with the upcoming celebrations for the Centre’s 15th anniversary.
Brad and his staff have been very busy planning anniversary festivities which kick off on September 16 with a Volunteer Barbecue to honour the numerous individuals who ensure the centre runs smoothly and successfully. Brad and Richard Paquette, chairman of the Memorial Park Society (MPS), will don their aprons and man the grills. Anniversary pins will be awarded to some well deserving volunteers.
Marking the actual September 27 anniversary date will be an Open House from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The public is invited to visit the centre, enjoy refreshments and view archival photos of construction, past events, and old advertisements.
Over 150 invitations have gone out to donors and patrons for a special dinner on October 8 which is sponsored by Richardson GMP, Sidney. Among those invited are members of the Winspear family and First Nations carvers Charles Elliott and Doug LaFortune who created the house posts that grace the Centre’s entranceway.
“It is our way to say thank you to all the visionaries,” says Brad.
So how did Mary Winspear Centre come to be? The site was first home to SANSCHA Hall (Sidney and North Saanich Community Hall Association) which had served the community since 1958 but was starting to show its age. In 1993 the responsibility for it was turned over to the MPS to whom the land was entrusted.
“SANSCHA hall had started to creak and moan. It had structural issues with it that really needed attention,” says Richard Holmes, past chairman of MPS.
Plans to build something special that would honour the memorial site began with months of research and consultation.
“We gathered together a really good team. It became critical just how significant the memorial lands are; they stand for people who served their country,” says Richard.
Fundraising was critical to success. Key donors included Myfanwy Pavelic, Ralph and Linda Bodine, Charlie and Darlene White and, of course, William (Bill) Winspear, who gifted $1 million in his Aunt Mary’s name – which prompted the Centre’s name.
Completion of the Centre was made possible through an extraordinary union of community and municipality.
“Partnerships between both the Sidney and North Saanich municipalities were key. Securing of these relationships early on was huge,” says Brad.
The Mary Winspear Centre’s opening in 2001 was a significant community event.
“It was a huge day seeing the Centre complete and open,” says John Bell, past board chairman.
“I felt so proud,” says Sheilah Fea, current Vice Chairman, MPS.
Since its opening, the centre has not only served the community needs but raised the bar with prestigious art shows and cultural events and high calibre musical performances which have brought recognition to the centre.
“It is a credit to the community,” says Richard Paquette.
And just how close is the Centre to the original vision? “It’s right on track, exactly what we always wanted,” says Richard Holmes. “It’s a model of goodwill and volunteerism.”
So serve up the cake, raise your glasses and start up the music! It’s time to celebrate the Mary Winspear Centre, a symbol of community coming together.
Photo caption: L to R: Bill Lushaw, Facilities Manager; Sheilah Fea, Chair of the Mary Winspear Foundation; Dirk Yazenbrandt, past board member; Richard Paquette, Chair of the Memorial Park Society; Brad Edgett, Executive Director, Mary Winspear Centre; John Bell (seated), director, Mary Winspear Foundation. Photo by www.nuttycake.com.
