Building health brick by brick

Building health brick by brick. Mayor Vance Badawey and Coun. Bill Steele, announce the launch of the city’s fundraising brick campaign Tuesday morning outside the construction zone for the Thomas A. Lannan Sports Complex. LUKE EDWARDS/STAFF PHOTO

Local businesses and residents can be building blocks for the new health and wellness centre in Port Colborne, both figuratively and literally.

On Tuesday, the City of Port Colborne launched their brick campaign. The campaign is the first step in fundraising efforts, with the city hoping to raise a total of $3 million throughout a number of fundraising efforts.

“Get involved in this, it’s a great memory stone, a great dedication,” said Coun. Bill Steele, who is also the chair for the community centre advisory committee.

The stones, provided by Tim and Dianne Sturman of Glenmount Memorials, will be laid out along the walkway going from Elizabeth Street to the front entrance of the Thomas A. Lannan Sports Complex. There are various bricks at various prices available for purchase from individuals or businesses.

For $100 you can buy a single brick, six inches by 12 inches, with two lines of text on it. For $150 you can buy a brick that is one square foot, with up to five lines of text. For businesses, they can buy one of the bigger blocks and put their company name on it for $250. Finally, for $500 businesses can put their logo and name on one of the bigger blocks.

“I really look forward, personally (to the new complex),” said Tim Sturman, noting that as a Port Colborne resident he currently travels to the YMCA in Fort Erie. With the new complex he won’t have to drive out of town to get his exercise.

Though Mayor Vance Badawey said they’re committed to keeping the costs as low as possible for residents, fundraising efforts are still needed.

“It (the centre) needs a breath of life from the community,” he said, adding that the bricks are a great way to pay tribute to someone who has died or to honour a family name.

Badawey also noted that it’s not just an opportunity for Port Colborne but for all of Niagara.

In November they will be kicking off the arena seat sale, their next fundraising campaign.

During the announcement, Badawey also said construction is still on target. They hope to have the walls up sometime in November, which will allow work to continue inside the complex throughout the winter months. The expected date of completion is still next fall.

Anyone interested in buying a brick can pay for it with debit or cheque at City Hall. Order forms can also be picked up from city buildings throughout Port Colborne. Beginning on Oct. 15 orders can be made with credit cards online at www.portcolborne.ca.

Source: http://www.niagarathisweek.com