After The War

Club History

 

Problems and restrictions of the war years were beginning to clear. A new era of expansion and development emerged, unparalleled in history of Canada. Rotary was needed more than ever before.

Rotary Youth Centre

Our members conceived purchasing a surplus army hut and erecting it in Mimico's Coronation Park. It was converted to an indoor recreation facility for the newly formed "Rotary Youth Centre". However, the further this project progressed the more it was realized that it was just a beginning and the facilities needed were growing considerably. The funds needed were raised with major fundraising events such as Bingo at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Club also raised money by borrowing capital from its members at an interest rate of 3%.

Finally after three years of trials and tribulations the Rotary Youth Centre was formally opened in November 1948. An arrangement between the Town of Mimico and the Rotary Club outlining the usage and policy of the Centre was reviewed annually. Although the direction of activity was to become the responsibility of the Town of Mimico, the Rotary Club retained overall control and administration. One of the stipulations was that one night per week be allocated to the Club for its use.

Further major fundraising events were held and in 1953 all Club members who advanced capital were repaid. Steady improvements were made to the Rotary Youth Centre. It was estimated that by then the Rotary Club contributed approximately $50,000 to the Centre. The Youth Centre became the home of Boy Scouts and Rovers in the area and the Rotary Club became a continued sponsor of the Lakeshore Scout movement.

In 1954 the Rotary Club achieved its objective of establishing the Youth Centre and decided to transfer ownership to the Town of Mimico. It was time to start another major project.

Queensway Hospital

The Queensway Hospital was to provide much needed medical service. The building fund objective was $2,000,000 and our Club pledged $8,000 towards the building and equipment. Rotary International celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 23rd, 1955, as the Rotary Club of Mimico and New Toronto celebrated its 25th anniversary on March 27th. This special occasions was marked by our sponsorship of the Islington Club.

It was also the year when our club sponsored boys from England, Scotland and Ireland to take part in the World Jamboree of Scouts held in Niagara Falls. 1956 marked the year of our first Golf Day at the Lake View Golf Club. Our charter President Bill Purtle provided the day and evening fellowship event. Bill was by now an honorary member but still an active contributor to Rotary. The Rotary Golf Day from then on became an annual event.

During the Rotary year of 1957 - 1958 our Past President Brett Brettell was District Governor and our Club hosted the District Conference in the King Edward Hotel. We registered 1,120 Rotarians. The guest of honour was the R.I. President's special representative Webb Follin from Shelbyville, Tennessee.

 

Piper Hill Camp

In 1959 our club adopted another major project to develop a camp for the Girl Guide Movement in the South West area of the Metropolitan Toronto. The Club purchased a 100 acre farm in the Alliston area for $10,000. Immediately the Girl Guide Association with assistance from our Club transformed a dilapidated farm into a camp of life and activity. Three of our members became the trustees to hold title to the property for the next five years and Piper Hill Camp was born.

During the Rotary year of 1960 - 1961 major improvements were made to the Piper Hill Camp. The barn was refurbished and a new building at a cost of $15,000 was constructed with funds raised by the Girl Guide Association. On June 10th, 1961 an impressive dedication ceremony was held. Members of our Club and scores of Brownies, Guides and Rangers attended the Flag Raising ceremony.

The Club continued to support many existing and new projects and reached a membership of 85 with 95% attendance.

Bill Purtle Day

As a token of the high esteem with which Bill Purtle was regarded, our Club celebrated on April 19th, 1961 during a regular luncheon meeting "Bill Purtle Day". Past President Hall McClelland chaired the proceedings with many of Bill's old friends from the Toronto Rotary Club present. Past District Governor Brett Brettell presented a plaque to Bill Purtle with the inscription: "Presented to Charter President A. W. "Bill" Purtle as a token of esteem by the Rotary Club of Mimico and Toronto."