Residents braved Monday\u2019s storm to save Seaside Community Centre.<\/p>\n
The meeting was called after president of the Seaside board, Sandy Cross announced she is stepping down.<\/p>\n
A new executive board was needed to keep the Centre from closing.<\/p>\n
Fourteen people stepped forward from the crowded hall and volunteered to serve.<\/p>\n
Having worked with the community centre for 27 years, Cross described the results of Monday night\u2019s meeting in one word.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelief. Relief that this place is going to see new blood and it\u2019s going to survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seaside Centre serves the communities of Beach Meadows, Eagle Head, West Berlin and East Berlin. According to the board\u2019s bylaws, members of the executive must belong to one of those communities. Cross said one of the first priorities of the new board should be to change that bylaw.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\" she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was totally, that just blew me,\u201d said Cross. \u201cIt really did \u2018cause I was not expecting that at all. I\u2019m pleased. They even got me my favourite flowers. Everyone should have this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayor Norman is glad to see so many people offer their time to keep the centre going.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis strikes a heart in the people of this community and that\u2019s what\u2019s important,\u201d said Norman. \u201cThat people came forward and rallied behind Seaside Recreation Centre.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new board will meet Dec. 1 to select their executive and begin devising future plans for the centre.<\/p>\n
Cross says while she is stepping away, she will continue to support the Seaside Centre and the new executive.<\/p>\n