City’s long history of service clubs
In 1950 the Penticton Herald wrote about how the local service clubs were welcoming new members. These clubs – Rotary, Gyro, Kiwanis, Kinsman, Lions as well as fraternal groups (with male and female subgroups) – Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Columbus, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Orange Lodge were incredibly active.
Quoting the article “community service is a keynote with all of these, and any rivalry is friendly, with a splendid inter-organizational spirit.” The groups formed an interorganizational council to be a clearing house for public function dates and a coordinating body for projects. The number of projects is awe inspiring.
The Downtown Rotary Club alone has initiated over 125 projects in Penticton since 1935.
You don’t have to go far to run into a local improvement that we all take for granted that came about because of their fundraising effort and works of service.
Rotary Memorial Park (1951) and fountain (1972) and replaced pavement (1988). Lions Park and ball field on Warren Ave. (1983)., Safety Village on Edmonton Ave., the Japanese Garden north of the Art Gallery and playgrounds throughout the city including the kids park at Skaha Lake.
The first service club in Penticton is thought to have been the Masonic Lodge in 1909. Members helped on town council and established King and Queen Parks. The Gyro Club had its first meeting in 1926 and by 1930 was leading the charge for a park at the North end of town. In 1932 they constructed the band shelter and Gyro Park became a central hub park thanks to their vision. They also were key in the creation of Memorial Arena and helped bring the Sicamous to Penticton. After 90 of service, 13 remaining members aged 80-91, made their last donation and “retired” the service club.
The Kinsmen Club was founded in 1945 and in the 1950’s built the first school for kids with Down’s Syndrome.
In 1946 the Kiwanis started the first Community Arts Association and in the 1950s built a playground on Edmonton Ave. The 224 foot walking pier on Okanagan Lake was paid for by Kiwanis and opened in 1984. They broke ground for the Okanagan Beach promenade in 1987 where citizens were encouraged to subscribe to the project by donating $87 per yard.
Affordable housing was also a challenge back in the 60s and the Kiwanis built three villages for low income and senior residents, Brunswick Street (1961), Van Horn Street (1968) and Brunswick Street (1982).
As time has advanced so has the age of the members of these service groups and many are finding themselves questioning the ability to continue. Most recently the Kinsman successfully transitioned the ownership of the old train station building on Hastings Ave. to local nonprofit One Sky. Other service groups are dealing with diminishing numbers of members.
What will “being in service” mean in the coming years? Will our community continue to be enhanced by these types of volunteer based projects?
Certainly, the need for service clubs isn’t going to go away. It will be up to this next generation who believe in “service to others” to carry on in ways that suit them best.
In a 2018 editorial titled “Honour the vanished service clubs” Joe Fries encouraged readers “next time you’re in Gyro Park enjoying a concert at the bandshell on a glorious summer day, don’t forget where it got its name”.
I would also challenge each of us to reflect on what “being in service” means to you and how you might help make our growing Penticton a vibrant place for us all to work and play.