By Rosalind Russell – Over 120 people took in the RSVP event held at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex last night, Thursday, October 17, 2024.
The event was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the complex, a project originally spear-headed by the Espanola Lions Club to replace the outdoor pool that was originally on the site.
Since the arena also needed major repairs and/or replacement, the council of the day led by the late Mayor Dorothy Wilson, also talked to EB Eddy, the pulp and paper mill owner at that time.
The question as to whether it should be built was put forward as a plebiscite with Espanola citizens with 63% of the voters saying yes, and the project moved ahead from there.
The evening included photo displays of events and gatherings over the last 25 years, as well as special speakers: Espanola Mayor Doug Gervais, Algoma-Manitoulin MP Carol Hughes, Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MPP Mike Mantha, Former Mayor Marcel Rancourt (1998-2003), Former Mill Manager Pat Parker ( 1994-2002), and Dario Laurenti, former president of the Espanola Lions Club.
Following the speakers the Wall of Fame Inductees were introduced.
Dr. Tamra Jones, a well-known local athlete in golf and hockey, spoke to the audience via computer link from her home in Australia, followed by J.C. Bourguignon speaking on behalf of his father, Armand Bourguignon, who is considered the founder of the Espanola Ski Club and a former athlete in his own right, and Dennis Lendrum, a long-time volunteer in Espanola.
The evening was capped off with the cutting of the cake.
Photos by Rosalind Russell
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