While Phase II of the La Verendrye Parkway was primarily funded by the Town of Fort Frances and province, some of the added touches were made possible through the generosity of the community.
And the town recognized this Monday night when certificates of appreciation were handed out to the donors of trees and benches, as well as the Rainy Lake mermaid for the La Verendrye Parkway and the big chair at Pither’s Point Park.
And former resident Calvin Muckle, who put forth about $3,000 for a new “big chair,” offered a few words as to just how important Pither’s Point—and the town—is to him.
“When I recall memories of my childhood, none left me with the sense of happiness as Pither’s Point Park,” Muckle, who is visiting from Oshawa for “Homecoming Week” (June 26-July 1), told town council during Monday night’s meeting.
His parents, Dave and Myrtle Muckle, ran the pavilion at Pither’s Point during the 1930s, which despite being during the Depression, the family could “pay off the wholesalers and live through the winter.”
Muckle recalled the beach and the swimming in the lake, and the sounds of “Ray Mason’s music wafting through the air” during summertime dances there.
“It is my dream to make this dedication in memory of my mom and dad. They’d be very proud of me,” he remarked.
While Muckle paid for it, the big chair was built by North American Lumber, which intended on sponsoring the attraction if Muckle hadn’t notified the town of his interest.
After a call for people to sponsor particular aspects of the waterfront project last summer, the town saw a positive response.
“When we began Phase II of the La Verendrye Parkway, we thought it would be nice to give people a more significant sense of ownership in the waterfront,” Mayor Glenn Witherspoon said Monday night. “It’s been a great, great success.
“Without community pride, without the involvement . . . Fort Frances wouldn’t be what it is,” he added.
Twenty-one individuals or groups came forward to sponsor trees, which either were for the new portion of the parkway or to replace those that were damaged on the previously-completed part of the waterfront.
These sponsors included Martin and Sharon Tibbs; Holmlund Financial; Daisy McInnis; Nancy and Ken Koprowski; Felix, Gary, Rylee, Karl, and Blanche Blasky; Dr. Robert and Janet Algie; Abitibi-Consolidated; Mark and Sadie Kowalchuk; Bill, Heidi, Erin, and Leigh Naturkach; Andrew, Natasha, and Dudley Doerr; Weiler Maloney Nelson-Barristers and Solicitors; Hugh and Robin Dennis; and the Ukrainian Orthodox Community.
Rounding them out were W.J. Bowman Ltd.; Hilderman Frank Thomas and Cram; Matthew, Graeme, and Hillary Morgan; Robert and Barbara Morgan; Bill Forster and Terri George; Fort Duty Free; Lawrence A. Eustace; and Tom and Rochelle Duchnicki.
These trees cost $300 each. About half were dedicated in memoriam.
Meanwhile, benches along the parkway were donated by the St. Mary’s C.W.L., the Fasan Daughters, and Judy and Glenn Witherspoon. These benches cost $1,600 and each are marked with a small plaque.
Meanwhile, North American Lumber pledged to make a base for, and install, the Rainy Lake mermaid for the waterfront. The mermaid sculpture was made by Pam Hawley and Mark Faragher.
The grand-opening ceremony of the La Verendrye Parkway is slated for July 1 at 10 a.m. at the south end of Victoria Avenue. At this time, plaques with the aforementioned donors’ names on it will be unveiled.
This will be followed by the Canada Day parade at 11 a.m. This can be viewed from Front Street as the parade route this year will start at the Shevlin wood yard, go down Front Street, turn north onto Victoria Avenue, and then east down Scott Street to the Memorial Sports Centre.
People also have been invited to drive their boats in the river along the waterfront.
The “big chair” will be unveiled at a ceremony at 1 p.m. on July 1 out at Pither’s Point Park.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
