Outgoing president Sandy Cross is recognized by the Region of Queens for her years of service. From L-R: Sandy Cross, Volunteer Brian Muldoon and Mayor Darlene Norman. Photo Ed Halverson

Residents braved Monday’s storm to save Seaside Community Centre.

The meeting was called after president of the Seaside board, Sandy Cross announced she is stepping down.

A new executive board was needed to keep the Centre from closing.

Fourteen people stepped forward from the crowded hall and volunteered to serve.

Having worked with the community centre for 27 years Cross described the results of Monday night’s meeting in one word.

“Relief. Relief that this place is going to see new blood and it’s going to survive.”

Seaside Centre serves the communities of Beach Meadows, Eagle Head, West Berlin and East Berlin.

According to the board’s bylaws, members of the executive must belong to one of those communities.

Cross says one of the first priorities of the new board should be to change that bylaw.

“We talked about it before, about opening it up because that will allow more people to come in with more ideas. Not only that, new blood is good.”

Cross was surprised when towards the end of the meeting, Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman came forward to read a proclamation from the municipality recognizing her long years of service to Seaside Centre.

“That was totally, that just blew me,” said Cross. “It really did ‘cause I was not expecting that at all. I’m pleased. They even got me my favourite flowers. Everyone should have this opportunity.”

Mayor Norman is glad to see so many people offer their time to keep the centre going.

“This strikes a heart in the people of this community and that’s what’s important,” said Norman. “That people came forward and rallied behind Seaside Recreation Centre.”

The new board will meet December 1 to select their executive and begin devising future plans for the centre.

Cross says while she is stepping away, she will continue to support the Seaside Centre and the new executive.

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Seaside Centre. Photo Damien van den Berg

The Seaside Centre in Beach Meadow needs a to find a new board of directors after President Sandy Cross announced she will step down from her role November 30.

Currently, Cross is the only executive at the community centre and says it can’t continue to operate as a one-woman show.

“Well, if nobody steps up on the 22 of November, when we have the special meeting, then we have to look at selling off the stuff that’s in the building and then selling the building,” said Cross.

The public meeting is being held in a last-ditch attempt to recruit community members to form a new board.

The Seaside Centre currently provides rental space and regularly hosts quilters, crafters, fitness classes, yoga, and a cheer team in addition to sporadic special events and suppers.

Cross is also concerned as the centre is more than just a recreation hub, serving as a centre where residents can fill water jugs, take a shower or do laundry in the event of an emergency.

The province handed over Seaside Centre to the municipality in the 1990s when it stopped being used as a school.

Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says if the centre goes up for private sale, there’s nothing the region can do.

“There’s no clause in the agreement that reverts this property back to the municipality,” said Norman. “You and I know people are willing, very willing, to purchase beachfront property.”

After being involved with Seaside Centre since 1994, Cross is hopeful the community will rally to keep it going.

“Bring in new ideas and new blood, new set of hands and feet because there is so much potential for that building,” said Cross

The public meeting will be held 6:30pm November 22 at the Seaside Centre for anyone interested in volunteering.

E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson

To listen to the broadcast of this story, press play below.