Wilkie elected new chairman of Northside Community Civic Centre Society
NORTH SYDNEY — Lloyd Wilkie was elected chairman of the Northside Community Civic Centre Society during its recent annual general meeting.
Wilkie replaces Leo Steele, who just completed two, three-year terms. Steele will remain on as a member of the society, serving on a number of committees.
“We have a really amazing facility in the Emera Centre Northside,” Steele said. “We always said it was going to be so much more than a rink, and it’s way more than I thought it was going to be. It’s a tremendous facility. Tickets for our first new year’s dance sold out in a day and a half.”
Steele added that the community helped bring the centre to the Northside, and is confident the community will continue to help maintain and support it.
Along with government funding and corporate sponsors, the community raised over $1.5 million to help make the centre a reality. It features an NHL-size ice surface, a seating capacity of over 1,000, multi-purpose rooms and a well-used walking track.
Wilkie, who was involved in the development of the Lawrence Mansfield Memorial Skateboard Park, said the community owes a great debt of gratitude to Leo Steele and the other board mem- bers.
“The challenge for the board is to continue to work on sustaining the centre and making it self sufficient,” Wilkie said. “The board has to look at new ventures, not just the ice rentals, but other events as well that can generate revenue for the centre.”
In late 2013 the World Under17 Hockey Championship is coming to the Emera Centre Northside.
“You would not get that without this facility,” Wilkie said. “Another big event is the provincials in March. You don’t get those unless you have the facility to accommodate events of that size.”
He added that the spinoffs in the community will be an economic boost for local merchants, accommodations and restaurants.
“We have to look at purchasing several big ticket items, a new Zamboni and a floor covering for events held during the winter. Hopefully working with the levels of government, we can secure those items.”
Along with Wilkie, the executive members are vice-chair Patricia Leyte, treasurer Lyndon Johnston, secretary Carla Carmichael, executive member at large Jim Clarke. Board members are Chris Osmond, Paul Gale, Wayne Strickland, Terry Higgins, Steve Power, Mike White and Brian Long.