About Gold Bar

Norman Smith

1960-61

Gold Bar Community League began in the Spring of 1960 and by June of that year had a membership of over 300. The League’s first order of business was to move a large mound of earth from land leased from the City. This was in preparation for the construction of a rink and temporary Club House. Material for both the rink and clubhouse were donated by George Golden whose company constructed many of the homes in Gold Bar. Labour for the project was supplied by numerous Community League volunteers. For the first few years, the rink was dismantled in the spring and put into storage, and then, reassembled in the fall.

Grant Foster

1961-62

In the years following, the Club House became a gathering place for social events, meetings, fund raisers, winter carnivals, and a host of other community related activities. By 1962, the facilities had become insufficient for the growing needs of the Community. Ray Anderson, a Community League member, approached Prudham Lumber and negotiated the building of a new rink for a cost of $2,000.

Reg Roberts

1962-63

During 1962-63, Reg and Norma Roberts spent a huge amount of time in leading the planning and designing of a new Community Centre. The City was approached regarding funding assistance and it committed to 20% of the total cost of constructing the new Community Centre. The final cost totaled $18,000.

David Christie

1963

Elwood Witherspoon

1964-65

R.J. O’Brien

1965-66

Victor Sopczak

1966-67

James Ward

1967-68

Carl Cartier

1968-69

Michael Gates

1969-70

Wilfred Zilkie

1970-72

For the next nine years between 1963 and 1972, Gold Bar Community League grew and thrived. Sports Programs sponsored by the Community came into being. Hockey, figure skating, little league baseball, and boy scouts, to name a few, had their beginnings and expanded each year with more children participating. Various fund raising initiatives were launched to support the Community programs and the membership numbers increased. During these years, Gold Bar was also very active in organizing social events for its members and community spirit and enthusiasm flourished.

Ordie Loberg

1972-73

Joe Holyk

1973-74

By 1973, the Community had once again outgrown its Centre. The existing building was demolished to make way for a bigger and more versatile Community Hall. The Hall was constructed immediately beside the existing “Rink Shack” for a cost of $40,000. To pay the mortgage that had to be taken out, several fund raisers were initiated including bingo. A considerable amount of volunteer labour from community members also helped to defray costs.

Rhea Thorburn

1974-76

The Rink Shack, which was the original Club House, was renovated. The new Community Hall while still under construction began operation. Dick Chester, who was Buildings and Grounds Director at the time, and his wife Terri celebrated their 40^th Wedding Anniversary in the new hall in 1974. The Gold Bar Midget BB Devils won the Provincial Championship in the spring of 1974. The programs which began in the 1960’s were still actively operating.

Charles Lee

1976-78

On October 15, 1977, Gold Bar Community League celebrated the official opening of its new Community Hall with a dinner and dance. The evening was climaxed by a pyrotechnic rite – “a mortgage burning ceremony”. On hand for the event were Mayor Terry Cavanagh, MLA Bill Yurko, Don Eastcott of the EFCL, and Phil Fearon of City Parks and Recreation. Also on hand were a number of past community presidents and executive members including Ordie Loberg, Joe Holyk, Mike Gates, Rhea Thorburn, and Bill Karpo.

Mark Endols

1978

Participation in the Community League fell off in 1978, particularly at the executive level. This put the community in a challenging position. However, a few concerned members, including Mark Endols, rose to the occasion and once again rallied the Community.

Doug Shillington

1978-80

In 1979, the Hockey Rink and Rink Shack were again refurbished at a cost of about $12,000. Lacrosse became very popular. The Gold Bar Miner lacrosse teams at the peewee, bantam, and midget level really excelled. The bantam “Miners” won the provincial championship in 1979 after a season with no losses.

Harold Gerling

1980-82

In the spring of 1980 “Project Co-operation” was completed. This project included the renovations to the hockey rink and rink shack the previous fall and the installation of an air exchanger in the main hall. In addition, several interior upgrades were completed such as main floor lighting improvements, lower floor washrooms fixed, and kitchen renovations. Total cost of the project was just under $23,000. The midget “Miners” lacrosse team, coached by Tom McCaskill, won the B.C. Delta Sun God Tourney in 1981 after a record of 54 wins and 6 losses over several seasons.

Dennis Erickson

1982-84

Between 1982 and 1984, more improvements were made to the rink shack and the rink boards were painted. Cedar walls and perimeter lighting were added to the interior of the Hall and a parque floor installed. Outside lighting was upgraded to halogen lights. Square dancing was started which lasted until 1990. Spring and fall barbeques were started which are still held today. Hockey, softball, ringette, and basketball were popular sports. Jack Cameron, Hockey Director, secured a bingo membership in the Fort Road Bingo Association which the Community still has today. Bingo provided most of the funding for Gold Bar Community initiatives.

Bill Karpo

1984-86

Programs continued to be successful with a solid corps of volunteers contributing their time and talents. Gold Bar Community began to donate money to initiatives within the community that were not community sponsored. For example, area school initiatives in which Gold Bar children were participating. Also to charitable organizations such as Boysdale, Salvation Army, Christmas Bureau, etc. Ongoing enhancements to the buildings and grounds were continued.

Andy Wickey

1986-88

Breakfast meetings were introduced with the Executive doing the cooking. No casualties occurred as a result. The north section of the playground was re-developed for children age 4-9 years. The south section was re-developed for children age 1-4 years. Existing equipment and service to the park site was also upgraded.

Ron Tennant

1988-90

Tragedy struck the Community with the death of Jack Cameron’s son Michael. Michael was involved in a freak hockey accident that took his life. In memory of Michael and in gratitude for the work Jack did for the Community in our sports programs, the City was approached about changing the name of Fulton Arena to the Michael J. Cameron Arena. A grant through the Provincial Lotteries Facilities Enhancement fund was applied for. The purpose of the grant was to continue renewal of the Community Hall.

Bill Horpyniuk

1990-92

Only 25% of the Facilities Enhancement grant applied for was received. This amounted to $57,000. The City matched this figure and work began on the $270,000 renovation project in the fall of 1990. The Community funded the balance of the renovation using revenue raised primarily from bingos. The Community Hall main floor was given a complete interior facelift by adding new walls and flooring. A new kitchen and storage room were added to the east side and the bathrooms were increased in size. The main floor of the Hall was also converted to wheel chair accessible.

David McKay

1992-94

Between 1992 and 1994, established programs and services for the Community at large were maintained and in some cases expanded. Considerable effort went into fund raising and as a result the mortgage that was taken out for the 1990-91 renovation was repaid in full. This placed the Community on a solid financial footing once more. A kitchen cooling unit was installed during this time period.

Frank Tulodziecki

1994-96

During these years, a number of upgrades were made to Community assets. An industrial dishwasher was added to the kitchen. The hockey rink was torn down and completely rebuilt at a cost of $20,000. External light standards were repaired and repainted. A sound system was installed for the rink and hall. A grant of $10,000 was applied for and received through Alberta Lotteries. Approximately $5,000 was donated to various Community supported charities. Gold Bar ventured into satellite bingo. Membership to the Community League stands at an all time high of 556 members which demonstrates that the Community is alive, well, and prospering.

Summary (up to 1996)

While a large portion of the Community League’s financial resources have been spent on maintaining and improving our assets, the Community has also met the needs for programs and services. Throughout our history, all sports programs have received solid funding. Other Community programs such as the Scouting Movement, Playschool, and Arts and Crafts have received support. The League has also donated money to local schools and other community related endeavours not formally sponsored by the Community league (Swim Clubs, Power Skating Clubs, School Band Programs, etc.) as well as a variety of charities. A Playground and Wading Pool Program during July and August has been run annually for years for children in the Community. In recent years, this program has also been run at Gold Bar Town Homes.

Gold Bar has been part of the Area 13 Coordinating Council since 1979. Charles Lee, a past Community league president, became Chair of Capital City Park and Sheila McKay, a former Alderman, became a Committee Member. Both were active in trying to get safety measures in place such as patrolling and emergency telephones. Gold Bar Community League has been adding to and renovating its facilities on a regular basis to keep them current and functioning at peak efficiency. Presently our assets are valued at approximately $400,000. Major sources of revenue are bingos, grants, membership, hall rentals, raffles, and craft sales.

Cathy McWatters

1996-97

Darlene Scott

1997-99

Laurie Scott

1999-2002

Will Ratliffe

2002-03

Laurie Scott

2003-05

Position vacant

2005-06

Murray Badger

2006-Current