The Kiwanis Club of Barrie and former Mayor Willard Kinzie have received formal recognition from city council for saving an 81-year old structure in downtown Barrie.
Donations from the Kiwanis Club, including a generous one from member former Mayor Willard Kinzie, went towards the restoration of the Sam Cancilla Park Gazebo.
Mayor Jeff Lehman called the praise 'very well-deserved.'
Representatives of the Kiwanis Club and Willard Kinzie's wife Karen joined Lehman and Councillor Rose Romita to be honoured at Monday night's council meeting.
"This is the story of a gazebo that had seen better days," said Mayor Lehman."It was a feature at the east end of the downtown. It dated from the depression era and it was, in its day, very much a central feature in Barrie."
Lehman said there were concerts held at the gazebo and the charming, picturesque structure was featured on postcards.
But over years it had fallen into disrepair so council put out a call to the community to finance the cost of the restoration.
"I'm just delighted the Kiwanis Club of Barrie, in particular one its members Mr. Kinzie answered the call," Lehman said.
As a way to say thank you, council gave a large photo of the new gazebo to the Kiwanis Club and a smaller picture to Kinzie .
in recognition of his generosity and gratitude to the club.
Karl Cadera, President of the Kiwanis Club of Barrie thanked City Council for the recognition.
"Our club has been around more than 90 years in Barrie and very involved in the city. If it weren't for the 50 people that make up my club and the history, the 90 years of history, I wouldn't have been able to help our club participate in this when I did."
The total cost of the restoration was about $50,000 with the city paying half and Kiwanis Club the rest.
